MLA Format Mrs. Hernandez

Why cite? Research papers are a compilation of facts and information from a variety of sources. It is expected that all the ideas are not your own. You just have to give credit to the person or source who provided the information. Not doing so is equivalent to academic theft. Research papers provide a road map for other researchers to follow who want to continue the research. That’s why it’s important to tell them where you got the information—so they can find it, too.

To Cite or Not to Cite? Cite when: No need to cite when: You have found information from another source. It is not your idea. It is a direct quote. It is a paraphrased quote. No need to cite when: It is common knowledge. The sky is blue. It is a historical fact. The French Revolution began in 1789. Barrack Obama is president.

Citing information in the text Parenthetical citation/In-text citation Book: More than 85% of Americans have cell phones (Smith 85). Electronic: More than 85% of Americans have cell phones (“Cell phones are America’s gadget of choice”). Attribution Book: According to Smith, more than 85% of Americans have cell phones (85). Electronic: According to an online article in Business News Daily, more than 85% of Americans have cell phones (“Cell phones are America’s gadget of choice”).

Key points about in-text citations Parenthetical citations come at the end of the sentence or block of text that contains the borrowed information. The end punctuation comes after the last parenthesis, including it as part of the sentence. If you use an attribution, you don’t need a parenthetical citation unless: there is a page number you did not use the first element in the Works Cited page

But there’s more! You must include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper This page provides more detailed information about your sources. It allows researchers to find exactly the information you used. Not including this page means that people cannot find the needed information. In this class, it constitutes plagiarism, which means your paper receives a zero.

Online help for MLA format and citation questions http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

What Makes a Website Credible? Author or Source Is there an author of the work? Clearly identified? Author’s credentials stated? Does the site represent a particular group, organization, corporation, or government body? Is it clear who is responsible for the creation and/or maintenance of the website? Type of Domain .com, .org, .edu, .gov

What Makes a Website Credible? Accuracy Can factual information be verified through footnotes or bibliographies to other credible sources? If statistical data is presented in graphs or charts, is it labeled clearly? Currency Is there a date stating when the document was originally created? Is it clear when the site or page was last updated, revised or edited?

What Makes a Website Credible? Objectivity Is the page free of advertising? If the page does contain advertising, are the ads clearly separated from the content? Does the page display a particular bias or perspective? Purpose What is the primary purpose of the page? To sell a product? To have fun? To parody a person, organization or idea?