Citing Sources in your Research Paper MLA Style. Why Use MLA Style? Allows readers to find your...

Citing Sources in your Research

Paper

MLA Style

Why Use MLA Style? Allows readers to find

your sources easily Gives you credibility

as a writer Protects you from

plagiarism

“MLA” stands for Modern Language Association. The MLA method of writing a bibliography (or “citing your sources”) is most often used in papers for English and literature classes.

Check your Font Size and Style

Make sure that settings are correct! Most teachers will tell you what they prefer.

Changing font appearance

Once you have selected your Font, you can make more changes.

These options are often used for titles and citations

How to Double-space Click the “Format”

button at the top of the screen.

Select the “Paragraph” option.

Double spacing is one of the “Line Spacing:” options.

Checking your Margins

Most teachers will prefer one inch margins around the edge of your paper.

Click “File” then select “Page Setup”

Make sure all four sides are set to 1”

How to align your text

Your Teacher will let you know what information they want in your header

These icons will allow you to change or verify your text alignment.

It is currently set to the default ‘align left’ setting.

More alignment: Centered Text

You need to change alignment for your title. The icon that centers is now highlighted.

Formatting your Paragraphs

Notice that the alignment has been moved back to the left side.

Using the tab button will create the proper indent every time.

Header and Footer

You can use a Header and Footer to add information that needs to be on each page of your document. Examples: Page Numbers, your name, date,

etc.

Headers and Footers

Where do I find MLA Guidelines? In books like The MLA Handbook for

Writers of Research Papers

On many Web sites, including www.mla.org.

On sites for college and university writing labs, like http://owl.english.purdue.edu.

Why is Citation Important? Ensures complete documentation. Your

reader will be able to find your source easily.

Sets standards of uniformity. This decreases confusion.

Gives proper credit to sources. So you won’t appear to be taking credit for someone else’s words or idea.

Citation helps you avoid plagiarism!

How can I find reliable information?

URL:

Infotrac.galegroup.com

Username: lesday

Password: dayton

What does Infotrac have?

What counts as plagiarism?

Stealing a whole article or paper is plagiarism

Stealing even part of someone else’s paper is plagiarism

Copying material and then changing it slightly in cosmetic ways—for example, by rearranging the order of the words or sentences, or by using synonyms for some of the words—is usually still plagiarism.

What Other Shortcuts Can I Use? If your instructor allows, you can use a

citation machine like easybib.com

Type your information here, and the citation machine will automatically create a Works Cited page for you.

InfoTrac Will Create a Works Cited Page for You Automatically

Select the documents you need and follow the Citation Tools instructions.

Works Cited

Buckley, Christopher. "A Thousand Points of Spite.” National Review 60.18 (Sept 29,

2008): 64. General OneFile. Gale. Vine Street. 23 Sept. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

Douthat, Ross. "Palin Fire: Alaska's Governor Inspires Conservatives; but Can She

Lead Them?(Cover story)." National Review 60.18 (Sept 29, 2008): 38. General

OneFile. Gale. Vine Street. 23 Sept. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

"Female Voters Speak Out On Palin.(10:00-11:00 AM)(Broadcast transcript)(Audio

file)." Morning Edition (Sept 18, 2008): NA. General OneFile. Gale. Vine Street. 23

Sept. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

Haberman, Clyde. "Protest Bedeviled by a Political Side Show.(Metropolitan Desk)

(NYC)." The New York Times 158.54442 (Sept 23, 2008): B1(L). General

OneFile. Gale. Vine Street. 23 Sept. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

"Palin and her Enemies.(2008 II)(Sarah Palin)." National Review 60.18 (Sept 29,

2008): 16. General OneFile. Gale. Vine Street. 23 Sept. 2008 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

Note the formatting of the margins.

How to Format Works Cited

This is centered just like the title.

This is the way to correctly format citations. The “hanging indent” tab needs to be moved ½ inch to the right.

You’ll Cite Your Sources in Two Different Places Within the paper

In-text citations

At the end of the paper Works cited page

When to use In-text Citation When you are citing a fact that is not

common knowledge. Jamaica is home to 2.8 million people (Lye,

2006). When you are including a quote.

“The Pacific lowlands have a tropical, rainy climate, but Bogota has mild annual temperatures” (Lye, 2006).

Conclusion If you need more help, ask your teacher or

the librarian.

Email: ajones@swcollege.net