1. MLA Format – The Basics

2. PURPOSE Very basically, the Modern Language Association (MLA) has prescribed a standard way of laying out text on the page. This format provides scholars in the Humanities with a simple, neat, and effective way of presenting information and of communicating ideas. It may, in the beginning, seem irritating to learn the format, but the reality is that most disciplines adopt a style, and conformity— at least at the college level—is required.

3. PURPOSE Very basically, the Modern Language Association (MLA) has prescribed a standard way of laying out text on the page. This format provides scholars in the Humanities with a simple, neat, and effective way of presenting information and of communicating ideas. It may, in the beginning, seem irritating to learn the format, but the reality is that most disciplines adopt a style, and conformity— at least at the college level—is required.

4. MLA stands for… Modern Language Association

6. Styles Used by Various Disciplines Humanities Modern Language Association Manual of Style (MLA) Sciences Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) Journalism Chicago Manual of Style

7. Setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around. Second, change the font to Times New Roman. Third, change the font size to 12-point. Fourth, change the spacing to double. Fifth, insert a page number in the header and type your last name in front of it.

8. Sample First Page in MLA Style: Brown 1 Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007 Memoir: A Night to Remember The moon was full, as I recall, casting long, blue shadows against the wall. As we wound our way through the streets, small, bright orange pumpkins clasped in our hands, I had the eerie sense that we were being followed... 1” ½”

9. Please note that the heading, which is left justified, is set up in a very specific order: (1)Your first and last name (2)Your teacher’s name (Mr. Cohea) (3)Your class name and period (ELA Period #) (4)The date Note: You may not vary or approximate this order. It is what it is.

10. Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007

11. Note, please, that the date is set up in a very specific way: (a)the day (b)the month (c)the year You may not vary this structure. It is not optional. It may not be abbreviated or rearranged according to your preferences. September 29, 2007 29 Sep 2007 Sep 29, 2007 29/9/07 9/29/07 With no punctuation. These are non-standard formats and are unacceptable in an MLA paper. 29 September 2007

12. Be aware, too, that there is no other spacing in MLA Format besides double spacing. I repeat, there is no other spacing in MLA Format besides DOUBLE SPACING.

13. And for those of you who may be a little hard of hearing, I will reiterate for a third time: THERE IS NO OTHER SPACING IN MLA FORMAT BESIDES DOUBLE SPACING.

14. None No single spacing. No triple spacing. No quadruple spacing. DOUBLE SPACING ONLY

15. If you can master the basics of setting up your page in MLA style, you will be well on the way toward understanding the MLA system. Brown 1 Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007 Memoir: A Night to Remember The moon was full, as I recall, casting long, blue shadows against the wall. As we wound our way through the streets, small, bright orange pumpkins clasped in our hands, I had the eerie sense that we were being followed. What made me believe this, besides a cold, prickling sen- sation in my spine, and a distinct sense of unease, I may...

16. What is it? How do you avoid it?

19. Modern Day Plagiarism! Ears perked up this summer when Katy Perry released "Roar," but not just because the song was a catchy smash hit. "Roar," The tune attracted quite a bit of attention for its similarities to Sara Bareilles' hit "Brave," which had been released just a few months earlier."Brave," The two are SO similar in fact – they can play simultaneously. Listen HEREHERE (Sara B. decided not to sue Katy P. – BUT – we can still use this as an example of plagiarism!)

25. Are the following slides examples of plagiarism? Why or why not? Turn and talk!

34. Consequences…..

36. So. We know what it is. Now how do we avoid it?

39. Have I plagiarized this ppt? Why or why not? Turn and talk! -Not all of my sources are cited… Images came from where??? -I have no resources/works cited page -It might be common knowledge to me (an English teacher), but not to everyone else.