Evaluating and Citing Your Sources MLA Format, the Works Cited Page, and Parenthetical Citation

What is Citation? Citation is giving credit to any source of information you use in an essay, report, or presentation.

What Is MLA Format? The citation rules we follow are set by the MLA (the Modern Language Association), so our citations are “in MLA format.” MLA format dictates: The details about your source that you need to include (such as author, page number, etc.). The order in which these details is presented. The punctuation you use (periods, commas, etc.).

Evaluating Sources

How do you know you’re getting good information? To decide, use the “ABAC” approach. Author Bias/Objectivity Accuracy Currency

Author Is it clear who wrote the piece? Does s/he have appropriate credentials, education, and/or training in the subject? Many web sites do not give author info. Unless you see other indicators of reliability, avoid Internet information that does not list an author.

Bias Why was the piece written? Do the authors have an agenda (political, for example)? Are they trying to persuade you to agree with a certain position? Sometimes you won’t be able to determine bias until you figure out who is publishing the information, even if it seems objective. If writing about a controversial topic, be sure to address both sides.

Accuracy Is it clear where the information is coming from? Can this information be confirmed elsewhere? Is there conflicting information? Has the information been checked and published in a scholarly journal?

Currency How current (up to date) is the information in your source? For example, an article about cell phone usage from the late 1990’s is not relevant to a paper on cell phone usage in Check dates of publication for online materials as well as books and reference materials. Currency is more important for some topics than others, but if you are using an older source, it’s best to balance with a more current source.

Some Guidelines for Internet Reliability Sites ending in.gov and.edu are generally reliable. Sites ending in.org are non-profit organizations, and can go either way. Some are very helpful, but be aware of possible political bias. Online journals and magazines are generally reliable. Look for a bibliography. Online news channels are sometimes more interested in entertainment than in reporting, BUT public radio ( is a terrific, much- overlooked source. Avoid all Wiki pages (including Wikipedia, except for bibliography) and User Created Content sites (blogs, YouTube, Twitter, personal websites, Ask.com, etc.).

Keep Track of Source Info! 1.Author 2.Title of Article 3.Title of Site/Journal/Newspaper 4.Publisher 5.Date of Publication 6.Where you found the information (e.g., book, BHS Library, online database such as ProQuest, Infotrak, or eLibrary) 7.Date you got the information 8.Page numbers if applicable

Making a Works Cited Page

What Is a Works Cited Page? A list of all the sources you used in your report. It goes at the end of the report. Every source you cite must be listed here. Every source on the list must be cited somewhere in your paper. The list is alphabetical. Each item on the list is presented in MLA format.

Sample Works Cited Pages Find samples in the following places: 1.BHS Introduction to High School Writing: stories/pdfs/bhs/english/writingguide.p df stories/pdfs/bhs/english/writingguide.p df 2.“Sample Works Cited” page shared with you in Google Docs. 3.At the end of the sample I-Searches shared with you.

Getting Started with EasyBib Have ready a list of all the sources you used. (Can be URLs, authors & book titles, etc.) Go to to make your Works Cited page. Register at easybib to save the citations. Log in and create a “Project” to record all your info. NOTE: Be prepared to adjust citations in your report after you make the Works Cited page.

Once on Easybib... If you did web research, you should have the URL (web address). Type or paste in the information you have - URL, author and book title, etc. Sometimes the citation will be created automatically, but usually you will need to put in more information.

Tips for Citing Web Sites Keep the easybib page open. Open a second browser window, and go to the web site you used and poke around. As you find info, copy and paste it into boxes on easybib page. See more tips on next slide. If you can’t find what you need, ask for help!

Tips for Finding Web Site Info If you found the site on a database, it will probably list the citation in MLA format at the top or bottom of the article. Some research pages have a “How to cite this source” page. Author - look at beginning and end of article Editor - from Home page, look for “About” page or “Staff” page Name of web site - go to “Home” page and look at the top Sponsor, date of publication - look at the “About” page or scroll to the bottom of “Home” page to find copyright info Example: Copyright © 1999, The Simon Wiesenthal Center This means that The Simon Wiesenthal Center is the sponsor, and 1999 is the date of publication.

What Will Easybib Do? If you’ve logged in on Easybib and created a project.... Once you type info on the Easybib page, it will create your citation! It will also alphabetize your citations. You can then export the complete Works Cited page from Easybib to Word or Google Docs. You now have a Works Cited page!

Parenthetical Citation Also Called “In Text Citation”

What Do I Have to Cite in My Report? Direct quotations. If quoting someone the article or book is quoting, check correct format. Facts and statistics. Information paraphrased (put in your own words) from a source. Opinions other than your own. When in doubt, cite it! Better to overcite than undercite!

Where Does the In-Text Citation Go? Right after a direct quotation Eliezer says that he “concurred with Job” (42) because he has started to question God’s actions. OR, at the end of a sentence containing facts or paraphrased information The camp had more than 700,000 inmates in January 1945 (Friedlander & Milton). OR, if all info in the paragraph is from the same source, put citation at the end of the paragraph.

What Goes in the Citation? AUTHOR & PAGE #: “Never shall I forget” (Wiesel 34). OR, if author is mentioned in text, only PAGE #: Wiesel’s famous passage begins, “Never shall I forget” (34). If no page number, just AUTHOR: Some inmates wanted to survive just so they could tell the world what they had seen and experienced (Robbins). If no author, TITLE of article, etc.: Originally, the word holocaust meant “purification by fire” (“Introduction to the Holocaust”).

Here’s the Trick What goes in the parentheses is the SAME as what starts the citation on your Works Cited page. That’s why you should create the Works Cited page before drafting the report. ONLY the author’s name (or several names) OR the first word or phrase in the title goes in the citation. Include page number if available.

Examples If this is on my Works Cited page: Robbin, Sheryl. "Life in the Camps: The Psychological Dimension." Museum of Tolerance Online. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, Web. 1 Feb #4 This is what goes in parentheses in the report: (Robbin) If this is on my Works Cited page: “Seratonin: The Chemistry of Well-Being." Angelfire. 03 May This is what goes in parentheses: (“Seratonin”)

Why Do All This? By citing your sources, you are giving credit to the people who gave you your information. Proper citation is a basic part of academic integrity. If you don’t cite your sources, you are plagiarizing. Stealing information is cheating. Plagiarism has serious consequences. This is a skill you will use in many classes all through high school, college, and beyond.

Hall, Matt. "I Like the Writing in That Paper." Cartoon. Educational Development Centre. Carleton University, 17 June Web. 1 Feb plagiarism/

Now You Try! The more you practice, the more sense it will make.