Documentation,Documentation,MLA StyleMLA Style

A guide to in-text and reference citation methods.A guide to in-text and reference citation methods. Modern Language Association (MLA)Modern Language Association (MLA)

SourcesSourcesGENERAL RULE:GENERAL RULE:

Ideally, no more than 25Ideally, no more than 25percent of your paperpercent of your papershould be directshould be directquotations.quotations.

ParaphraseParaphrase as much as as much asyou can.you can.

Use direct quotationsUse direct quotationswhen citing a statisticwhen citing a statisticor original theoryor original theory

Use author's words ifUse author's words ifthey capture a pointthey capture a pointexactlyexactly..

When to Give Your SourceWhen to Give Your Source……

You must acknowledge in your paper the source ofYou must acknowledge in your paper the source of

A direct quotationA direct quotation A statisticA statistic An ideaAn idea Someone elseSomeone else’’s opinions opinion Concrete facts not considered Concrete facts not considered ““common knowledgecommon knowledge”” Information not commonly knownInformation not commonly known Information taken from the computer (CD ROMS, internet, etc.)Information taken from the computer (CD ROMS, internet, etc.) Illustrations, photographs, or charts Illustrations, photographs, or charts –– if not yours if not yoursSource:Source:Silverman, Jay, Elaine Hughes, and Diana Roberts Silverman, Jay, Elaine Hughes, and Diana Roberts WeinbroerWeinbroer. . Rules of Thumb: A Guide for WritersRules of Thumb: A Guide for Writers. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.

Paraphrasing and SummarizingParaphrasing and Summarizing

You must still acknowledge your source if youYou must still acknowledge your source if you……

Paraphrase:Paraphrase: Put someone elsePut someone else’’s ideas into your own wordss ideas into your own words

Summarize:Summarize: Condense someone elseCondense someone else’’s words or ideass words or ideas

Signal Phrases in MLASignal Phrases in MLA Model Signal Phrases:Model Signal Phrases:““In the words of researchers LongIn the words of researchers Long

and and McKinzieMcKinzie…”…”

““As Paul Rudnick has notedAs Paul Rudnick has noted…”…”

““Melinda Stuart, mother of a childMelinda Stuart, mother of a childkilled by a drunk driver, pointskilled by a drunk driver, pointsoutout…”…”

“…“…,writes Michelle Moore, ,writes Michelle Moore, …”…”

NOTE: Never use NOTE: Never use ““sayssays””

Verbs in Signal Phrases:Verbs in Signal Phrases:acknowledgesacknowledges admits admitsagreesagrees asserts assertsbelievesbelieves claims claimscommentscomments confirms confirmscontendscontends declares declaresdeniesdenies disputes disputesemphasizesemphasizes endorses endorsesgrantsgrants illustrates illustratesimpliesimplies notes notesobservesobserves points out points outreasonsreasons refutes refutessuggestssuggests writes writesComplete list: Hacker, Diana. Complete list: Hacker, Diana. A WriterA Writer’’s References Reference. 5. 5thth ed. Boston: ed. Boston:

Bedford/St. MartinBedford/St. Martin’’s, 2003. p. 336.s, 2003. p. 336.

Parenthetical CitationsParenthetical Citations……a system in which you give your source in parentheses immediatelya system in which you give your source in parentheses immediately

after you give the information.after you give the information.

Four Common Citations:Four Common Citations: Author and page numberAuthor and page number Title and page numberTitle and page number Page number onlyPage number only Secondhand quotationsSecondhand quotations

The first word of your citation match the corresponding entry on yourThe first word of your citation match the corresponding entry on yourWorks Cited page!Works Cited page!

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Author & Page NumberAuthor & Page Number

(Keeling 125)(Keeling 125)

Notice there is no Notice there is no ““pp””and no comma.and no comma.

The struggle for identityThe struggle for identityis common duringis common duringpuberty (Keeling 125).puberty (Keeling 125).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Title & Page NumberTitle & Page Number

Her distinctive writingHer distinctive writingstyle adds to herstyle adds to hermystique (mystique (““PlathPlath”” 19). 19).

•• Often, articles, Often, articles,editorials, pamphlets,editorials, pamphlets,and other materialsand other materialshave no author listed;have no author listed;thus, give the firstthus, give the firstdistinctive word of thedistinctive word of thetitle followed by pagetitle followed by page##

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Page Number OnlyPage Number Only

If you have already mentioned the authorIf you have already mentioned the author’’s name, put as name, put apage number only:page number only:

Keeling states that Keeling states that PlathPlath’’s s work stands in starkwork stands in starkcontrast to other confessional poets (58).contrast to other confessional poets (58).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Secondhand QuotationsSecondhand Quotations

When you quote someone who has been quoted inWhen you quote someone who has been quoted inone of your sources, use:one of your sources, use:

qtdqtd. in = quoted in. in = quoted in

Evelyn Maxwell, author of numerous booksEvelyn Maxwell, author of numerous booksabout poetry, refers to about poetry, refers to Plath Plath as the as the ““queenqueenof darknessof darkness”” ( (qtdqtd. in Keeling 99).. in Keeling 99).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Special CasesSpecial Cases

Electronic Sources:Electronic Sources: Articles & BooksArticles & Books

originally in print originally in print ––

Goth dress can be quiteGoth dress can be quiteoutlandish (outlandish (RaymonRaymon).).

Other Electronic Sources:Other Electronic Sources: You may give the name inYou may give the name in

parentheses, but you canparentheses, but you canbe more precise andbe more precise andinclude the name byinclude the name byindicating the format andindicating the format andincorporating the nameincorporating the namesmoothly into yoursmoothly into yoursentence.sentence.

Interview or Speech:Interview or Speech: If the source is anIf the source is an

interview, lecture, orinterview, lecture, orspeech, include personspeech, include person’’ssname in introductoryname in introductoryclause with noclause with noparenthesis:parenthesis:

Julia Cohen, graduateJulia Cohen, graduatestudent in English and astudent in English and aself-professed Goth,self-professed Goth,states that being Goth isstates that being Goth ismore a state of mind thanmore a state of mind thanoutlandish dress.outlandish dress.

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Multiple AuthorsMultiple Authors

Two Sources by the Same Author:Two Sources by the Same Author: Use the first identifying words to indicate the title of theUse the first identifying words to indicate the title of the

workwork

The radical disconnect in The radical disconnect in PlathPlath’’s s writing is evident in thewriting is evident in thepoem poem CutCut ( (In the MiddleIn the Middle, 188)., 188).

OROR

(Rimbaud, (Rimbaud, In the MiddleIn the Middle, 188)., 188).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:Organization as AuthorOrganization as Author

Often, an organization serves as the author:Often, an organization serves as the author:

The National Council for Teachers of English state thatThe National Council for Teachers of English state thatstudents bring insider knowledge of youth culture and astudents bring insider knowledge of youth culture and apassion for and investment in its texts and practices (5).passion for and investment in its texts and practices (5).

ORORStudents bring insider knowledge of youth culture (NationalStudents bring insider knowledge of youth culture (National

Council for the Teachers of English 5).Council for the Teachers of English 5).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:How Often to Give CitationsHow Often to Give Citations

When several facts in aWhen several facts in arow within onerow within oneparagraph all come fromparagraph all come fromthe same page of athe same page of asource, use one citationsource, use one citationto cover them all. Placeto cover them all. Placethe citation after the lastthe citation after the lastfact.fact.

The citation The citation MUSTMUST be bein the same paragraph asin the same paragraph asthe facts!the facts!

WORKS CITEDWORKS CITED List List only only those sources that you actually used.those sources that you actually used. List the complete title of the article, essay, or book.List the complete title of the article, essay, or book. Alphabetize your listAlphabetize your list by authors by authors’’ last names or the first main last names or the first main

word in a title.word in a title. Online sourcesOnline sources usually follow the print format followed by the usually follow the print format followed by the

URL <URL>. (journals, newspapers, magazines, abstracts,URL <URL>. (journals, newspapers, magazines, abstracts,books, reviews, scholarly projects or databases, etc.).books, reviews, scholarly projects or databases, etc.).

Format Format –– AuthorAuthor’’s last name firsts last name first Double-spaceDouble-space Left MarginLeft Margin

Indent second and third lines five spacesIndent second and third lines five spaces Most item separated by periods Most item separated by periods –– leave one space after ending punctuation. leave one space after ending punctuation. Place a period at the end of each entry.Place a period at the end of each entry.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific EntriesSpecific Entries

Book:Book:Author. Author. TitleTitle. City: Publisher, date.. City: Publisher, date.

CortiCorti, Lillian. , Lillian. The Myth of The Myth of Medea Medea and the Murder of Childrenand the Murder of Children..Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.

Article in a Magazine:Article in a Magazine:Author. Author. ““Title of Article.Title of Article.”” Title of PeriodicalTitle of Periodical Date: page(s). Date: page(s).

Gerard, Jeremy. Gerard, Jeremy. ““Review of Redwood Curtain.Review of Redwood Curtain.”” VarietyVariety April 5, April 5,1993: p. 43.1993: p. 43.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific EntriesSpecific Entries

Article in a Newspaper:Article in a Newspaper:Author (if given). Author (if given). ““Title of Article.Title of Article.”” Title of Newspaper Title of Newspaper CompleteComplete

date, section number or title: page(s).date, section number or title: page(s).

Kerr, Walter. Kerr, Walter. ““The Lives they Lived.The Lives they Lived.”” The New York TimesThe New York Times 29 29December 1996, late ed.: sec. 1: 53.December 1996, late ed.: sec. 1: 53.

Article or Story in a Collection of Anthology:Article or Story in a Collection of Anthology:Author. Author. ““Title.Title.”” Book TitleBook Title. Editor. City: Publisher, date. Pages.. Editor. City: Publisher, date. Pages.

Franklin, Benjamin. Franklin, Benjamin. ““The Speech of Miss Polly Baker.The Speech of Miss Polly Baker.”” BenjaminBenjaminFranklin: The Autobiography and Other WritingsFranklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings. Ed. Kenneth. Ed. KennethSilverman. New York: Viking, 1986. 209-213.Silverman. New York: Viking, 1986. 209-213.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific EntriesSpecific Entries

Article in a Scholarly Journal:Article in a Scholarly Journal:Author. Author. ““Title of Article.Title of Article.”” Journal TitleJournal Title Volume number (complete Volume number (complete

date): pages covered by article.date): pages covered by article.

WithamWitham, Barry B. , Barry B. ““Images of America.Images of America.”” Theatre Journal Theatre Journal 34 (May34 (May1982): 223-232.1982): 223-232.

EncyclopediaEncyclopedia““Title of Article.Title of Article.”” Title of EncyclopediaTitle of Encyclopedia. Year of the edition.. Year of the edition.

““PlathPlath, Sylvia., Sylvia.”” Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica. 2005 ed.. 2005 ed.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific Entries Specific Entries –– Electronic Sources Electronic Sources

Direct E-Mail to You (Not a Discussion Group)Direct E-Mail to You (Not a Discussion Group)Author of e-mail [title or area of expertise, professional affiliation].Author of e-mail [title or area of expertise, professional affiliation].

““Subject line.Subject line.”” E-mail to the author (meaning you) date. E-mail to the author (meaning you) date.

RushbrookRushbrook, Sally [poet]. , Sally [poet]. ““For Goths Sake.For Goths Sake.”” E-mail to the author. 7 E-mail to the author. 7June 1999.June 1999.

Standalone Database or CD-ROMStandalone Database or CD-ROMAuthor. Author. ““Title.Title.”” (or the heading of the material you read) (or the heading of the material you read) Title ofTitle of

Entire WorkEntire Work publishing information of original, if known. publishing information of original, if known. Title ofTitle ofDatabaseDatabase. Publication Medium. Vendor (if relevant). Electronic. Publication Medium. Vendor (if relevant). Electronicpublication date.publication date.

Good, Sarah. Good, Sarah. ““Goth Tradition in Adolescents.Goth Tradition in Adolescents.”” NewsdayNewsday 16 Mar. 16 Mar.1997 sec. Life: 1. 1997 sec. Life: 1. Newsbank Newsbank NewsdayNewsday. CD-ROM. 1999.. CD-ROM. 1999.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific Entries Specific Entries –– Electronic Sources Electronic Sources Online Source or Website: NOTE - <URL>.Online Source or Website: NOTE - <URL>.Author or organization. Author or organization. ““Title of section, if given.Title of section, if given.”” Title of the CompleteTitle of the Complete

WorkWork. Date of publication or last revision. Sponsoring organization if. Date of publication or last revision. Sponsoring organization ifdifferent from author. Date you viewed the site <URL of site>.different from author. Date you viewed the site <URL of site>.

Elder, Preston. Elder, Preston. ““What is Goth?What is Goth?”” Goth.netGoth.net. 2000, 2001. Goth.net. 30 March. 2000, 2001. Goth.net. 30 March2006 <http://www.2006 <http://www.gothgoth..net/gothnet/goth.html>..html>.

Posting to a Discussion Group:Posting to a Discussion Group:Author (not screen name). Author (not screen name). ““Subject line of article.Subject line of article.”” Online posting. Date Online posting. Date

of posting. Group to which it was sent of posting. Group to which it was sent –– multiple group names multiple group namesseparated by comma. Date you viewed it <URL>.separated by comma. Date you viewed it <URL>.

RushbrookRushbrook, Sally. , Sally. ““Plath Plath and Me.and Me.”” Online posting. 7 June 2000. Goth.net. Online posting. 7 June 2000. Goth.net.6 March 2006. <http://www.6 March 2006. <http://www.gothgoth.net/groups>..net/groups>.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Special CasesSpecial Cases

No Author:No Author: Alphabetize according to the first main word in the title,Alphabetize according to the first main word in the title,

ignoring the articles a, an, and the.ignoring the articles a, an, and the.

““Moonshot Moonshot Tape.Tape.”” AntaeusAntaeus. Ed. Daniel . Ed. Daniel HelpernHelpern. New York: . New York: Ecco Ecco Press,Press,1991.1991.

Two or More Authors:Two or More Authors: Give the last name first for the first author only.Give the last name first for the first author only.

Hall, David, Laura Hall, David, Laura HenigmanHenigman, and Lillian , and Lillian CortiCorti. . Worlds of Wonder, Days ofWorlds of Wonder, Days ofJudgementJudgement. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990.. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Special CasesSpecial Cases

More Work by Same Author:More Work by Same Author: Use three hyphens and a period (---.) in place ofUse three hyphens and a period (---.) in place of

the authorthe author’’s name and alphabetize the workss name and alphabetize the worksaccording to title.according to title.

Wilson, Wilson, LanfordLanford. . DayDay. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1994.. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1994.

---. ---. Sympathetic MagicSympathetic Magic. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1998.. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1998.

---. ---. Tally and SonTally and Son. New York, Dramatists Play Service, 1995.. New York, Dramatists Play Service, 1995.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Special CasesSpecial Cases

Radio/Television Program:Radio/Television Program:Speaker Name. Speaker Name. Program TitleProgram Title. Company if known. Network and/or. Company if known. Network and/or

station call letters, city. Date of broadcast.station call letters, city. Date of broadcast.

MangoneMangone, Carlo. , Carlo. Weekend Edition SaturdayWeekend Edition Saturday. . NatlNatl. Public Radio.. Public Radio.KSMU, Springfield, MO. 31 May 1997.KSMU, Springfield, MO. 31 May 1997.

Video/DVD or Audio Recording:Video/DVD or Audio Recording:Author, Director, or Performer. Author, Director, or Performer. TitleTitle. Format. Distributor, date.. Format. Distributor, date.

FrizellFrizell, Michael. , Michael. I Hate HamletI Hate Hamlet. DVD. Little Theatre Home Video,. DVD. Little Theatre Home Video,2006.2006.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Special CasesSpecial Cases

Pamphlet:Pamphlet: Follow the format for a book. If no date is listed, use n.d.Follow the format for a book. If no date is listed, use n.d.

Interview, Speech, or Lecture:Interview, Speech, or Lecture:SpeakerSpeaker’’s name [Speakers name [Speaker’’s position]. Type of presentation.s position]. Type of presentation.

Location, date.Location, date.

Jenkins, Jeff [Owner and Creative Director, The Skinny Jenkins, Jeff [Owner and Creative Director, The Skinny ImprovImprovTheatre]. Personal Interview. Springfield, MO. 29 March 2006.Theatre]. Personal Interview. Springfield, MO. 29 March 2006.