1. Cross-referencing: Using MLA Format
Rationale: Welcome to “Cross-referencing: Using MLA Format.” This presentation is designed to introduce your students to the purposes of documentation, as well as methods for effectively using parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page. The twenty-two slides presented here are designed to aid the facilitator in an interactive presentation of strategies for using MLA style. This presentation is ideal for the beginning of a research unit in a humanities course or any assignment that requires MLA documentation.
This presentation may be supplemented with OWL handouts, including “Using MLA Format.” ( “Paraphrase: Write It in Your Own Words” ( “Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing” ( and “Avoiding Plagiarism” (
Directions: Each slide is activated by a single mouse click, unless otherwise noted in bold at the bottom of each notes page.
Writer and Designer: Jennifer Liethen Kunka
Contributors: Muriel Harris, Karen Bishop, Bryan Kopp, Matthew Mooney, David Neyhart, and Andrew Kunka
Developed with resources courtesy of the Purdue University Writing Lab
Grant funding courtesy of the Multimedia Instructional Development Center at Purdue University
© Copyright Purdue University, 2000.
A workshop brought to you by the
Purdue University Writing Lab

2. Why Use MLA Format?
Allows readers to cross-reference your sources easily
Provides consistent format within a discipline
Gives you credibility as a writer
Protects yourself from plagiarism
Key Concepts: This slide allows the facilitator to explain the purposes for using MLA documentation. MLA format provides writers with a system for cross-referencing their sources—from their parenthetical references to their works cited page. This cross-referencing system allows readers to locate the publication information of source material. This is of great value for researchers who may want to locate your sources for their own research projects. The proper use of MLA style also shows the credibility of writers; such writers show accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism—the purposeful or accidental use of source material by other writers without giving appropriate credit. The next slide provides additional information on plagiarism.
Click to reveal each item.

3. Cross-Referencing Your Sources
Cross-referencing allows readers to locate the publication information of source material. This is of great value for researchers who may want to locate your sources for their own research projects.
This slide explains the importance of cross-reference your sources.
It may be helpful to discuss this in terms of a community. Writers of research papers enter a community of reseachers by sharing the sources they’ve found.

4. Using a Consistent Format
Using a consistent format helps your reader understand your arguments and the sources they’re built on.
It also helps you keep track of your sources as you build arguments.
Using APA properly will allow you to communicate more effectively with other researchers who also use APA. When a style is used consistently, others can easily find where you’ve listed your resources.

5. Establishing Credibility
The proper use of MLA style shows the credibility of writers; such writers show accountability to their source material.
This slide explains how using APA can establish your credibility as a researcher.

6. Avoiding Plagiarism
Proper citation of your sources in MLA style can help you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense. It may result in anything from failure of the assignment to expulsion from school.
Key Concepts: Plagiarism is a serious offense in the university system, and may result in punishments ranging from failure of the assignment, failure of the course, or expulsion from school.
There is a handout on OWL about plagiarism and can be found at
Click to reveal each item.

7. Avoiding Plagiarism
Proper citation of your sources in MLA style can help you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense. It may result in anything from failure of the assignment to expulsion from school.
Key Concepts: Plagiarism is a serious offense in the university system, and may result in punishments ranging from failure of the assignment, failure of the course, or expulsion from school.
There is a handout on OWL about plagiarism and can be found at
Click to reveal each item.

8. Parenthetical Citations
MLA Style: Two Parts
Works Cited Page
Parenthetical Citations
Rationale: This slide establishes the two areas of MLA documentation, the Works Cited page and parenthetical citations.

9. Citing Sources

10. Two ways to cite sources!
APA (Graduate Schools/Science and Medical Fields)
MLA (High School and Undergraduate programs at a University)
We will use MLA style!!

11. Books

12. Source # Author’s Last name,. First name. Title of. Book. Place
Source # Author’s Last name, First name.Title of Book. Place Published:Publisher, Copyright Date. Page #’s.

13. Whole Book
Ruiz, Ramon Eduardo. Triumphs and Tragedy: A History of the Mexican People. New York: Norton, 1992.

14. Spinelli, . Milkweed. New : Laurel- , 2003.
Fill in the blanks
Spinelli, Milkweed. New : Laurel , 2003.

15. In groups!

16. 2nd Source To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Harcourt –Brace New York 1993 Pages. 121-125

17. Your turn!
Cite Alabama Moon

18. Use your novel to cite it as a source
Use your novel to cite it as a source. Make sure your punctuation is correct!
20 total points if everything is correct.
10 total points if there are errors.

19. AVL Source Cards Alabama Virtual Library

20. Online Periodicals
Magazines
Newspapers
Journals

21. # Last, First. “Title of. Article. ”Title of Source. Volume #, Issue #
# Last, First. “Title of Article.”Title of Source. Volume #, Issue #.(Date Source Published) Access Date. Pages. < AVL

22. Take out your AVL note page.

23. "Background Note: Sudan
"Background Note: Sudan." Background Notes on Countries of the World: Republic of the Sudan (Jan. 2005): 1. EBSCO. [Alabama Virtual Library], [Madison], [AL].
10 Mar <

24. When listing dates…
Day Month Year
2 February 2007

25. There may not be… A volume # An issue # v = volume i= issue
no.=issue number
ISSN = nothing

26. Don’t Worry about it! Include as much info as you can!

27. AVL Practice

28. Source #5 “Princess Diana Memorial Fund Founded” by Casey Blythe Time March 12, Feb.2, Pgs

29. More AVL Practice

30. 5th source “Hurricane Sweeps the Coast” Chicago Chronicle Volume #3 Issue #25 Mar. 5,2000 Feb.28, <