MLA Basics Why we use it Intext citations

MLA Basics Why we use it In-text citations Works Cited page Tips

Purposes of MLA • Tells readers what sources were used. • Tells readers where to find these sources • Attempts to do this with as little disruption as possible to the writing.

In-text (parenthetical) citations • Must include citations whenever an outside source is referenced - whether it’s paraphrased or quoted. • Need 2 pieces of information 1. Author last name (or shortened version of article title if name not available) 2. Page number (if available)

Examples - if a book is the source • IQ tests give scientists little insight into intelligence (Staples 293). • According to Brent Staples, IQ tests give scientists little insight into intelligence (293). • According to Brent Staples, IQ tests represent “the most enormous waste of time and resources in the history of educational practice” (293).

Example - if an article with no author named is the source • If we fail to identify struggling students early in the game, they have little chance of catching up in later years (“Wasted Time”). • (The full article title here was “Wasted Time, Wasted Minds. ”)

Works Cited Page • Make sure it’s alphabetized by the first letter of the entry. • Make sure the first thing in the entry matches the first thing in the in-text citation. • Make sure it’s double-spaced - one double space between each line on the page. • Make sure to indent after the first line of the entry.

Tips • Don’t freak out; look it up. • Gather all your sources and do your Works Cited page first. It’ll make the in-text citations easier. • Use electronic resources to format your Works Cited entries - just make sure you get the font and spacing consistent with MLA.

• Only quote language that’s worth quoting otherwise paraphrase. • If you do quote, don’t quote people out of nowhere - introduce your source if it’s not someone well known. • When you integrate quotes, integrate the language into your own words so that it flows smoothly.

• Hold the period until after the parenthetical citation. “. . . like this” (234). • If you’re using a shortened article title rather than an author name in your parenthetical citation, don’t forget the quotes. (“Shortened Title” 346).

• Book titles and magazine titles are underlined or italicized. • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets • Newsweek • Article titles, poems, songs, short stories, etc. are in quotations • “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”