Brianna Johnson

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Brianna Johnson

Professor Butler

English 132

20Apr 2011

MLA Documentation

There are usually four general steps in producing a research paper: (1) choosing a general

topic and narrowing it to a specific topic that can be covered within the limits of the

assignment, (2) researching the material for the paper, (3) organizing the material and writing

the paper, and (4) providing clear documentation for all uses of the sources. This paper serves

as both an exercise and a model for the last step mentioned, documentation of sources. No

matter what the topic of a research paper is and no matter how we well researched the paper

is the ability to provide clear documentation is essential. Since several style sheets are available

as models, one must be willing to follow the documentation style requested by the instructor.

The topic of this paper and also the model for documentation in this paper is the Modern

Language Association (MLA) style. Examples are given of the main types of sources used by

students: books, periodicals, and electronic sources.

All material taken from a source must be documented. Material taken from a source

verbatim, word for word, is called direct quotation, and should be placed inside quotation

marks if the length of the quotation is four lines or text or less. Quotations of more than four

lines of text should be presented as a block quotation (Rosen 180-81). All such quotations must


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be cited. Even if the material is presented in paraphrase (a restatement in other words) or in

summary (a condensed restatements), documentation is still required (Rosen 180).

MLA documentation consists of two formats which must clearly agree with each other,

especially by starting with the same words (Butler). Documentation in the text of the paper

takes the form of short parenthetical citations at the end of the material within a paragraph or

at the end of each paragraph from the same source. Exact page numbers for the material cited

must be given if the sources are paginated. If the authors name has been used in the text, just

give exact page number for the cited material. However, if the text does not give the author,

cite the authors last name and the exact page number (Rosen 180). Notice that MLA style uses

no punctuation or abbreviation (such as p.) between the name and the page number.

In addition, each source is listed in a longer format on the last page of the paper, using the

heading Works Cited. This is a formal list of all sources cited in the text. Entries are alphabetized

by authors last name or by the title if no author is given. The entire Works Cited page is double

spaced. Formatting of the Works Cited list must follow MLA style exactly (Rosen 183). Only one

Works Cited entry is needed for each source no matter how many times you cite the source in

the text of the paper (Butler).

The Works Cited entry for a published book contains four kinds of information, each

followed by a period. The entry begins with the full name(s) of the author(s), with the first

authors name reversed for alphabetical arrangement in the works cited. If no author is given or

if the author is unknown, do not use Anonymous or Anon. just begin the entry with the

title. Following the author comes the extra information such as editor(s), translator, or number


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of volumes. The third part of the entry contains publishing data, including the city of publication

(followed by a colon), the publishers name, and the date (year) of publication. Beginning in

2009, MLA required a fourth part of entry, which specifies the medium of publications, in case

Print (Rosen 184-86)

For example, We are who we are, and that will always be the truth (Pearl 8).

Also for example, Some zoos are becoming over capacitated with all sorts of monkeys

(Wright 7).

For a source from a periodical such as a magazine, the Works Cited entry must clearly lead

the reader to the article cited. First give the authors name reserved. The full title of the article

is given second, in quotation marks. The publication data follows, including the name of the

magazine, italicized, then the date of issue, and after a colon give the inclusive page numbers of

the article. For a newspaper article, use the same format, but add necessary identification such

as the edition of the paper and the section, do not forget to add the medium of publication,

Print (Rosen 185-87)

For example, View adversity as temporary, localized, and correctable (Janssen 8).

Also for example, Can we really say that we are truly in love with another human being?

(Davis 188).


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For electronic sources, follow the models given by Rosen. Include as much information as

possible to help your reader find your source. The in-text citation should reader the reader to

the Works Cited entry by using the authors last name if there is one. Use a short title if there is

no author, using appropriate quotation marks or Italics. Rosen gives sample entries for various

types of material taken from the Internet (189-94). Since 2009, two main simplifications should

be applied: (1) The URL is no longer required, unless the website would be difficult for a search

engine to fond, and (2) after the web sponsor and publication date, insert the word Web

followed by a period, giving the access date last, using a period to end the entry. More up-to-

date information can be found at the MLAs World Wide Web site (www.mla.org).

For example, I love the scent of the roses around this time of year (Matthews).

Also for example, On Tuesdays we all go out to the boardwalk and feed the beautiful fishes, if

they decide to come out of the water.

In conclusion, this paper has stressed the importance of documentation and the necessity of

following a style sheet. For illustration and practice, the MLA style has been used as both topic

and model. Examples have been given from the Main types of sources most students might use

in their research: books, periodicals, and electronic sources. By paying attention to all the

details of documenting these sources according to the MLA style, it is hoped that the student

researcher will learn the necessity of closely following any style assigned by professors in the

future.

Works Cited
http://www.mla.org/http://www.mla.org/http://www.mla.org/http://www.mla.org/


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Bean, Alan. Probing the Roots of Political Violence News & Issues African-American,

26Jan-1Feb2011, Print.

Butler, Dennis. MLA Documentation. English 132. Southwestern Christian College, Terrell.

4Apr2011. Lecture.

Davis, Jennifer Jill. Let me Help YOU the best ever. Daily Times 12 Oct. 1992: A1.

Rosen, Leonard J. The Academic Writers Handbook. 2d Ed. New York: Pearson, Longman,

2009. Print.

Wright, Tammy. Prairie Women: Our big little world. New Haven: Yale UP, 1999.

"Natures wonder." Naturesbloom.com, n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2009.

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