The Basics of MLA Style A guide to student papers

What is MLA? MLA stands for Modern Language Association, and it is the style most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. There are other citation formats as well like Chicago (sometimes used in History) or APA (American Psychological Association…used in the Social Sciences)

Why use MLA? Demonstrates that sources are credible. Protects writers from accusations of plagiarism.

Part I: Formatting your paper Use 8½ X 11 inch paper 12 point, New Times Roman, or similar font 1 inch margins Double-space your text Use a header showing last name and page number

Part I: Formatting your paper A title page is not necessary Your name Instructor Course name/number Date Title of paper

Part I: Formatting your paper Indent the first line of each paragraph by pressing tab button or use first line indent. Paper consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. After the body of your paper comes the Works Cited page

Part II: The reference list Reference sources used in your paper must be listed In MLA format, this page is labeled “Works Cited” List sources alphabetically by author’s last name (or title, if author not known)

Example Works Cited Heinerman, John. “Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs.” Paramus Company. n.d. Prentice Hall. Web Feb Kowalchik, Claire and William H. Hylton. “Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs.” Rodale Enterprise. Feb Rodale Press. Web. Feb Wardlaw, Gordon M. and Anne M. Smith. “Contemporary Nutrition.” Nutrition. n.d. n.p, Feb

Part II: The reference list Books Periodicals Articles in Journals or Magazines Personal Interviews Electronic Sources (web sites and online sources)

Part III: Parenthetical, or in-text citation Within the body of your text, you must cite your sources as you use them. You must cite any and all data, facts, information, opinions, ideas, tables, charts, graphics, photographs, etc. obtained in research.

References in the text must clearly point to specific sources in the list of works cited.

Part III: Parenthetical, or in-text citation In paper: This point has already been argued by many scholars throughout history (Lipson). Works Cited: Lipson, Charles. “Doing Honest Work in College.” College Magazine. 12 Mar University of Chicago. Web. Aug

Conclusion Formatting rules make research papers uniform and easy to read The ability to verify facts through proper citation of sources is essential to good scholarship In-text citation and the reference list:  Identify and credit the sources you used  Enable the reader to locate your sources