Modern Language Association MLA Documentation Academic Honesty Why

Modern Language Association (MLA) Documentation: Academic Honesty

Why cite sources? 1. To let the reader know where to go to verify the accuracy of the information to which you refer and research further. 2. To give credit to the writers and researchers whose ideas you have borrowed.

What information does NOT need to be cited? The only exception to citing information is common knowledge, information that the reader could easily find in a number of sources. When in doubt, cite the source.

What information needs to be cited? Summaries - putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). l Paraphrased statements – rewriting the author’s facts or opinion in one’s own words l Direct Quotations – copying the text word for word, insuring that it is identical to the original, using proper punctuation. l

MLA System l In-Text Citations: The source is introduced in the text of the paper by the last name of the author, or brief phrase and page number in parentheses. l Works Cited Page: Sources are listed alphabetically by authors’ last names with complete publication information.

Summarized information Legal scholar Jay Kesan points out that the law holds employees’ actions such as violations of copyright laws, the distribution of offensive or graphic sexual material, and illegal disclosure of confidential information (312).

Paraphrased information Original: Giraffes like to eat Acacia leaves and hay, and they can consume up to 75 pounds a day. Paraphrase: A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of Acacia leaves and hay everyday (Smith).

Direct Quotation Quote the author when he or she has phrased the ideas in a particularly “powerful, clever, or unique way” (Sprinks). l Four lines or fewer – use quotation marks and incorporate the sentences or phrase into the paragraph. l More than four lines - indent by one inch. l

Direct Quotation More than four lines: Web sites also vary regarding the type of information journalists can use. In most cases, journalists will use the site for background. That background can help the reporter ask more pointed questions in subsequent interviews (Ketterer 8).

Works Cited Page Kesan, Jay P. “Cyber-Working or Cyber. Shirking? A First Principles Examination of Electric Privacy in the Workplace. ” Florida Law Review, vol. 44, July 2015, pp. 22 -23. Academic Onefile, academiconefile. com/.

Works Cited Page Ketterer, Stan. "Teaching Students to Evaluate and Use Online Resources. " Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, vol 3. December, 2000, Proquest, proquest. com/

Works Cited Page Sources are listed alphabetically by the last name of the first author: Kesan, Jay P. “Cyber-Working or Cyber-Shirking? A First Principles Examination of Electric Privacy in the Workplace. ” Florida Law Review, vol. 44, July 2015, pp. 22 -23. Academic Onefile, academiconefile. com/. Ketterer, Stan. "Teaching Students to Evaluate and Use Online Resources. " Journalism & Mass Communication Educator Winter, vol 3. December, 2000, Proquest, proquest. com/