MLA Guidelines Adapted from Bakersfield College Library and Purdue University On-line Writing Lab.

MLA GuidelinesMLA Guidelines

Adapted from Bakersfield College Library and Purdue University On-line Writing Lab

What is MLA Citation?What is MLA Citation? MLA citation refers to the referencing MLA citation refers to the referencing stylestyle establishedestablished

by the by the ModernModern LanguageLanguage AssociationAssociation for for recognizingrecognizing sourcessources used in a used in a researchresearch paperpaper . .

MLA citation style uses a MLA citation style uses a simplesimple two-parttwo-part parentheticalparenthetical documentation system for citing sources: documentation system for citing sources: ◦ Citations in the text Citations in the text of a paper are used to point to of a paper are used to point to ◦ An alphabetical An alphabetical Works cited list Works cited list that appears at the end of that appears at the end of

the paper. the paper.

Together these references Together these references identifyidentify and and creditcredit thethe sourcessources used in the paper and used in the paper and allowallow othersothers toto access access and and retrieveretrieve this material. this material.

When do I document my sources?When do I document my sources?When I am using another persons When I am using another persons exact exact

words.words.

When I am presenting (paraphrasing) an When I am presenting (paraphrasing) an original ideaoriginal idea that is that is not my ownnot my own..

When I am When I am reporting or summarizing reporting or summarizing factsfacts that are available that are available from only one from only one sourcesource..

Why Use MLA Format?Why Use MLA Format?Allows readers to cross-Allows readers to cross-

reference your sources reference your sources easilyeasily

Gives you credibility as a Gives you credibility as a writerwriter

Protects you from being Protects you from being accused of plagiarismaccused of plagiarism

MLA Style: Two PartsMLA Style: Two Parts

1. In-text citation

2. Works cited page

When Should You Use In-Text When Should You Use In-Text Citations?Citations?

When When summarizingsummarizing facts and ideas from a source facts and ideas from a source Summarizing means to take ideas from a large passage of Summarizing means to take ideas from a large passage of

another source, and condense them in your own wordsanother source, and condense them in your own words

When When paraphrasingparaphrasing a sourcea source Paraphrasing means to use the ideas from another source, Paraphrasing means to use the ideas from another source,

but change the phrasing into your own wordsbut change the phrasing into your own words

When When quotingquoting any words that are not your own any words that are not your own Quoting means to repeat another source word for word, Quoting means to repeat another source word for word,

using using quotation marksquotation marks

How to Cite How to Cite ININ Your Text Your Text Give only the information needed to identify a source. Usually type the Give only the information needed to identify a source. Usually type the

author's last name and a page numberauthor's last name and a page number. . EXEX: Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous : Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous

overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263)overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263)..

Citation should not repeat information in your text. Citation should not repeat information in your text. If you include an If you include an author's name in a sentence, do not repeat it in the citationauthor's name in a sentence, do not repeat it in the citation. .

EXEX: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by : Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263)“spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263)..

REMINDERS:REMINDERS: The citation should be placed before the punctuation mark that The citation should be placed before the punctuation mark that

concludes the sentence. (see examples above)concludes the sentence. (see examples above)

Electronic and online sources are cited just like print resources. If an Electronic and online sources are cited just like print resources. If an online source lacks numbering, omit numbers from the in-text citation.online source lacks numbering, omit numbers from the in-text citation.

More about using in-text citationsMore about using in-text citations

SometimesSometimes more information is necessarymore information is necessary

When you have When you have moremore thanthan oneone authorauthor with with the the samesame lastlast namename, use first initial, use first initial(W. Wordsworth 23) or (D. Wordsworth (W. Wordsworth 23) or (D. Wordsworth 224)224)

When you have When you have moremore thanthan oneone workwork by the by the same same author, add a key word from the title.(Russo, (Russo, BridgeBridge 121); (Russo, 121); (Russo, EmpireEmpire 556) 556)

Citing Citing indirectindirect sourcessources: When another : When another person is quoted in your source, use person is quoted in your source, use qtdqtd. . (Johnson qtd. in Boswell 450)(Johnson qtd. in Boswell 450)

In-Text Citations Continued…In-Text Citations Continued…If the source has no known author, use an

abbreviated version of the title:Example: Full Title: “California

Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers”(“California” 14)

If the source has no page numbers, use the author or web site’s creator:

Example: Source: Dave Poland’s “Hot Button” web column (Poland)

Guidelines for Long Guidelines for Long QuotationsQuotations

For quotes that are longer than 4 lines:◦ Start the quote on a new line◦ The quotation must be indented from the

left side for the length of the entire quote◦ No quotation marks◦ Cite as usual but

after punctuationmark.

Works Cited Page ContentsWorks Cited Page Contents ContainsContains

◦ A A listlist ofof everyevery sourcesource that you that you made reference to made reference to inin your your essayessay

◦ A list of A list of everyevery sourcesource you you usedused toto informinform yourselfyourself about the about the topic even if you didn’t quote topic even if you didn’t quote from it in your essayfrom it in your essay

Provides Provides the the informationinformation for a reader for a reader

toto locatelocate any any sourcessources used in used in your essay.your essay.

Works Cited Page GuidelinesWorks Cited Page GuidelinesMost citations should Most citations should include the followinginclude the following

Author (s) or editor (s) Author (s) or editor (s) Complete title Complete title Source (journal title, title of Source (journal title, title of web site)web site)Place of publication (books)Place of publication (books)Publisher or Database TitlePublisher or Database TitleDate of publicationDate of publicationMediumMedium

Works Cited Page Specifics Works Cited Page Specifics (HOP pg. 4 - (HOP pg. 4 - 7)7)

Double-space the list of works cited. One space follows a period.

Use Hanging indent (In MS Word, Right-click, then Format-->Paragraph-->Hanging Indent).

Alphabetize by authors' last names (Last name, First name). If the source has more than one author,

only invert the first author's name. If no author is listed, list the source in alphabetical order by title.

Capitalize each word in titles (except articles, prepositions, and conjunctions - unless one is the first

word of a title or subtitle).

Italicize titles of books, journals, magazines, etc.

Use quotation marks for titles of articles in journals, magazines, and web pages.

Give the "medium" of the resource. Print or Web, followed by the date of access.

At BC, give the Database Company, such as EBSCOhost or Gale, following the database title

Works Cited: Common SourcesWorks Cited: Common Sources

A periodical article in print Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Print

A scholarly journal article in printAuthor(s). "Title of Article: Complete with Subtitle." Title of Journal volume number. issue number (year of publication): pages. Print.

More Works CitedMore Works CitedA periodical article from an on-line databaseAuthor(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Title of Database. Database Provider. Web. Day Month Year of access.

A scholarly journal article from an online databaseAuthor(s). "Title of Article: Complete with Subtitle." Title of Journal volume number. issue number (year of publication) : pages. Title of database. Database provider. Web. Day Month Year of access.

Sample Works Cited PageSample Works Cited Page

Works Cited

Bessenoff, Gayle R. “Can the Media Affect us? Social Comparison,

Self-Discrepancy, and the Thin Ideal.” Psychology of Women

Quarterly 30.3 (2006): 239-51. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

Collection. EBSCOhost. Web. 13 May 2009.

Damasio, Antonio R. "Aphasia." The New England Journal of Medicine

326.2 (1992): 531-39. Print.

Credit: Dallas Tele College Web Design Project Team & Bakersfield College Library

Useful LinksUseful LinksBakersfield College LibraryBakersfield College Library

http://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/library/

MLA.org MLA.org http://www.mla.org/

Cornell UniversityCornell University

http://library.cornell.edu/newhelp/res_strategy/citing/mla.html#books

Purdue UniversityPurdue University

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

Works CitedWorks Cited

“About The MLA.” Modern Language Association. 10 Dec 2006.

“MLA Citation style.” Cornell University. 10 Dec 2006.

“MLA Documentation.” Valencia University. 10 Dec 2006.

Paradise Consulting Services. “Student Conduct.” Annapolis Valley Regional School Board. 10 Dec 2006.

Stolley, Carl. “Online Writing Lab.” Purdue University. 10 Dec 2006.