1. MLA (Modern Language Association)
Citation Guide

2. Why Cite? Helps you avoid plagiarizing
Allows the reader to find your research sources
Provides evidence for your arguments and adds credibility to your work
Is standard practice for scholars and students engaged in written academic conversations

3. What to Cite
Always cite other people’s words, ideas and other intellectual property that you use in your papers or that influence your ideas
These could include:
Direct quotations
Paraphrasing of passages
Indebtedness to another person for an idea
Use of another student’s work
Use of your own previous work

4. What to Cite (continued)
Possible informational sources:
Books
Articles
Web pages s
Interviews
Lectures
Media
Television
Radio
Podcast
Etc.
Something that is controversial or contradicts what most accept as common knowledge
Ex. “Martin Brodeur is the worst hockey goalie to have ever played the game.” (Obviously this goes against what is generally accepted as fact /common knowledge.)

5. What You Don’t Need to Cite
Information that is considered common knowledge
Common knowledge is something that is widely known and can be confirmed in a general encyclopedia
Ex. “Martin Brodeur is the greatest goalie to have ever played the game” (Obviously generally accepted as a fact!!!)
May include:
Facts
Events
Concepts
Etc.

6. How to Cite Two techniques:
Provide a list of citations at the end of the paper (MLA style uses this one – a “Works Cited” at the end)
Cite within the text of the paper

7. Cite at the End
Final page of your paper – list of the complete citations for the resources you cited or consulted
This list is usually referred as:
“Works Cited”
“References”
“Bibliography”
“Works Consulted”

8. Cite as You Write Within the text of the paper
Whenever you refer to the work of another person, you must indicate where you got the information
Depending on citation style used, may take the form of:
A superscript number1 for a footnote or endnote
A notation within parentheses such as (Walker 21) or (Smith, 2008)
This in-text citation is a marker for the reader to go to the complete reference for the source at the end of the paper.

9. How to Choose a Style Always ask your teacher what style they prefer
Different departments use specific styles
English classes use MLA
Psychology classes uses APA
History classes use a form of the Chicago style

10. Examples of MLA Style
Web Sites format (may vary, but basically follow this):
Author’s/Creator’s Last Name, First Name (if given). “Title of Page.” Title of Site. Name of the creator or editor of the project or site (if available). Date of Posting/Revision. Name of Organization or Sponsor Associated with the Site. Format. Date Accessed
Ex.:
“Buffy Slays Academics.” BBC News Education. 7 Nov BBC. Web. 8 July
Book with One Author:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of Publication. Format.
Christie, Agatha. And Then There Were None.

11. Cite While You Write: MLA
In-text citations distinguish other people’s words and thoughts from your own and direct the reader to the complete citation in the Works Cited page at the end of your paper
In-text citations consist of the author’s name and the page number
Ex.
To help fulfill her Slayer duties, Buffy can always turn to Giles (DeCandido 44).

12. Quoting, Summarizing, and Paraphrasing
Using the author’s exact words
Always cite it and use “quotation marks”
Summarizing:
Condensing the author’s words or ideas without altering the meaning or providing interpretation using your own words
Always cite
Paraphrasing
Restating, in your own words, the author’s words or ideas without altering the meaning or providing interpretation
- Are about the same length as the original
Must always cite

13. Good Reasons to Quote, Summarize or Paraphrase
Include a Quote:
When you want to support or add credibility to your arguments
When the original is difficult to rephrase
When the original is so good that you want to preserve the language
Keep in mind when summarizing:
Use your own words
Include key relevant elements of the original but brief
Do not include your interpretations/ analysis within the summary
Vary how you introduce or attribute your sources, like “according to…”
Paraphrasing
Should sound like you
Jot down source’s main points before you start to paraphrase

14. Recap
Always cite and document other people’s words, ideas, and other intellectual property
Plagiarism is taking other people’s words and/or ideas and presenting them as your own
Always use quotation marks when using exact words of an author
When paraphrasing, do not copy author’s style or wording
Ask which citation style you should be using

15. Get Organized! Organize – keep research together as you gather it
Keep information organized by:
Using a separate notebook or binder section for each assignment
Using file folders – one for each assignment
May seem time consuming, but will save you time in the end

16. Research Tips Know what you’re looking at
good citations and articles to yourself, or save them as you find them, then keep them organized
Take good notes
Keep track of what you’ve done and what worked
Print out web pages that you plan to use as sources for your assignment

17. Taking Good Notes One note-taking method: This system will help you:
What you’ll need:
Index cards
Different colored pens/ highlighters
Your sources
On the front of the index card:
In the upper left corner, color code the cards – use one color for quotes, one for summaries, one for paraphrases, and one for your own thoughts
Upper right corner, write the topic of the quote, summary, paraphrase or your thought
In the center, write your quote (using quotation marks), summary, paraphrase or thought
This system will help you:
Distinguish quotes, summaries, paraphrases and thoughts from one another
Organize your information
Easily work in citations as you write

18. Keeping Track
Keep track of where you found what to help you remember which databases and strategies worked best for different topics
Make a chart with the following information:
The date you searched
Where you searched
The search words you used
How many books, articles, etc., you found
Ideas to try next (different search words, approaches, databases, etc.)
Print and Save Web Pages you plan to use as sources in case they get changed or disappear

19. Making a Plan
Estimate how much time you think it will take to do the assignment and double it (Lengthening your timeline will help you deal with obstacles)
Break your assignment into small parts and set mini deadlines leading up to the actual deadline
Editing - once you’ve done your own proofreading, have someone else read your paper and provide feedback.

20. Staying on Track Ask yourself: Do I really understand the assignment?
Am I spending too much time researching?
Am I completely lost and can’t find any information?
Is my paper or project starting to come together?

21. Plagiarism: An Overview
Including other people’s words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly
When you don’t, it’s a form of academic misconduct called plagiarism
It is plagiarism if you…
Copy words and present them as your own writing
Copy words, give the source, but do not indicate that the copied words are a direct quotation
Copy words, change them a little, and give the source
Present someone else’s ideas as your own, even if you express them in your own words

22. Making Research Less Painful:
Look for clues in database records to help you determine what type of source you have found and whether it will be useful for your research
Keep things organized
Keep track of what you’ve done
Take good notes
Print out or save web pages

23. Planning, Timing, and Keeping Things on Track:
Make sure you understand the assignment
Estimate length of time assignment will take, then double
Break assignment into small pieces / set deadlines
Get help with research if needed
Leave enough time to do assignment
Bounce around ideas with others
Take advantage of resources available to you