MLA BASICS AWC Writing Center 2011

What is MLA?  MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities.  Your Little, Brown Handbook offers examples for the general format of MLA papers, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page

MLA Document Format  The Modern Language Association (MLA) specifies a standard format for essays and research papers written in an academic setting:  One-inch page margins  Double-spaced paragraphs  Name of author, name of professor, title of course, date of paper on the first page of the paper (LBH p. 689)  A header with author's last name and page number 1/2 inch from the top of each page (LBH p. 689)  A works cited page beginning on a separate page at the end of the paper (LBH p. 653)

Sample First Page LBH p. 689

Sample Later Page LBH p. 689

Sample Title PageLBH p. 692

What does Works Cited Mean?  Works Cited is sometimes referred to as References. The terms mean the same thing. Each is an alphabetical list of works cited, or works to which you have made reference. Works Cited is generally used when citing sources using MLA (Modern Language Association) style, while the title References is used when citing sources using APA (American Psychological Association) style.  Works Cited and Bibliography are not the same. In Works Cited you only list items you have actually cited. In a Bibliography you list all of the material you have consulted in preparing your essay whether or not you have actually cited the work.

Works Cited Page Format  Preparing your Works Cited PageLBH p. 653  Arrange in alphabetical order  Use hanging indentions  Double space

AWC Library Sample Citation

Sample MLA Works Cited Page

QUESTIONS Thank you!