Citing Sources in a Citing Sources in a Research PaperResearch Paper

MLA FormatMLA Format

What Is MLA?What Is MLA?

• MLA is the Modern Language MLA is the Modern Language Association.Association.

What Do I Need to Cite?What Do I Need to Cite?

• Cite all paraphrased and quoted material.Cite all paraphrased and quoted material.

• Any information that is not common Any information that is not common knowledge comes from a source. You must knowledge comes from a source. You must credit your source in order to avoid credit your source in order to avoid plagiarism.plagiarism.

• Plagiarism is intellectual theft. Just as you Plagiarism is intellectual theft. Just as you can steal another person’s property, you can steal another person’s property, you can also steal another person’s ideas and can also steal another person’s ideas and knowledge.knowledge.

Explanation of the MLA Explanation of the MLA FormatFormat• MLA consists of both an in text parenthetical MLA consists of both an in text parenthetical

citation at the end of each source and a full citation at the end of each source and a full citation in a works cited list at the end of the citation in a works cited list at the end of the paper.paper.

• The in text citation consists of the author or The in text citation consists of the author or authors’ last names and the page number or authors’ last names and the page number or numbers from which the source came.numbers from which the source came.

• The works cited entry takes a variety of forms The works cited entry takes a variety of forms depending upon the type of source being depending upon the type of source being used.used.

Examples of In Text and Works Examples of In Text and Works Cited EntriesCited Entries• After you have paraphrased (put in your own words), After you have paraphrased (put in your own words),

summarized (condensed in your own words), or quoted summarized (condensed in your own words), or quoted (taken word-for-word from your source but used quotation (taken word-for-word from your source but used quotation marks to indicate you have done so), you must credit the marks to indicate you have done so), you must credit the source parenthetically. For example, if the author’s name is source parenthetically. For example, if the author’s name is John Doe and the pages you have paraphrased from are 23 John Doe and the pages you have paraphrased from are 23 through 40, your in text citation will be (Doe 23-40).through 40, your in text citation will be (Doe 23-40).

• If your source is a book, the works cited entry will be set up If your source is a book, the works cited entry will be set up as follows:as follows:

• Last name of author, First name. Last name of author, First name. Title of Book.Title of Book. Location Location • of Publisher: Name of Publisher, year of publication.of Publisher: Name of Publisher, year of publication.• For example: Doe, John. For example: Doe, John. The History of BusinessThe History of Business..• New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Examples, ContinuedExamples, Continued

• For a journal, begin with the author’s last For a journal, begin with the author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” name, first name. “Title of Article.” JournalJournal

• Title.Title. Volume number (Year of Volume number (Year of Publication): page range of the article.Publication): page range of the article.

• For example: Doe, John. “The Year’s BestFor example: Doe, John. “The Year’s Best

• Business.” Business.” Journal of Business.Journal of Business. 27 27

• (2006) 23-30.(2006) 23-30.

Examples, ContinuedExamples, Continued

• For a website, you will have a variety of For a website, you will have a variety of information. information.

• If the site has an author, begin with the If the site has an author, begin with the author’s last name, first name. Follow this author’s last name, first name. Follow this with the title underlined. Next, indicate the with the title underlined. Next, indicate the date of publication of the site, if given. date of publication of the site, if given. Then give the date you accessed the site. Then give the date you accessed the site. End with the url in angled brackets.End with the url in angled brackets.

• For example: Doe, John. For example: Doe, John. The Year’s BestThe Year’s Best• BusinessBusiness. 2006. 16 Oct. 2006. <url>.. 2006. 16 Oct. 2006. <url>.

ConclusionConclusion

• Good luck and have fun researching Good luck and have fun researching and writing your paper.and writing your paper.