1. Content vocabulary for terms relating to research documentation
MLA Format
Content vocabulary for terms relating to research documentation

2. MLA style format refers to a particular method of listing and referring to sources in a research paper as well as how to type the paper.
This format requires that you write your sources a certain way.
MLA style is widely used for English research assignments in high school and college English Literature courses.
MLA: Modern Language Association
Q: What is MLA?

3. The best way to be sure you are following MLA style guidelines is to use a style guide.
These can be found on the Internet (Purdue Owl is a great place to look).
You can also buy an MLA style manual. Make sure it is the most recent edition.
You can try to use an online citation generator (such as easybib.com or citationmachine.com). These sometimes leave off important citation information, so check to make sure all you need to include is there.
Q: How do I get it right?

4. Works Cited: a listing of all the sources used in a research paper
Works Cited: a listing of all the sources used in a research paper. This is included at the end of the paper on a separate page.
In-text citation: a very short form of a source that is included in the paper itself. It appears at the end of quoted or paraphrased material and is surrounded by parenthesis.
Parenthetical documentation: another term for in-text citation.
Source terms to know

5. In-text citation examples
From Purdue Owl website:
Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).
Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
In-text citation examples

6. Works cited page: Details matter
Hanging indentions: when listing sources on a works cited page, the first line of the source should be lined up with the left margin (left justified). All other lines in the source should be indented 5 spaces.
Pay attention to punctuation: Each source citation uses specific punctuation between pieces of information.
Example of a book citation:
Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. New York: HarperPerennial,
1998. Print.
Works cited page: Details matter