Death by MLA

Death by MLAPresented by: Natasha Olivera1Presentation Overview2009 updates to MLAGeneral MLA guidelinesFirst page formatPlagiarismIn-text citationsFormatting quotationsWorks Cited page

2What is MLA??MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting often used in various Humanities disciplines

3There are two main manuals for MLA formatting. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. and MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd ed. The Handbook is used mostly by undergraduate and graduate students when writing papers for class. The Style Manual is used by professionals who are formatting documents in preparation for publication (like journal articles, books, book chapters, etc.). Many formatting elements are the same between the two books. This presentation will mostly focus on MLA formatting and style concerns that affect writing research papers.

MLA style is often used in the following disciplines: Humanties, languages, Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy, Communication, Religion, and others.APA is typically used in the Sciences;

MLA format provides writers with a uniform format for document layout and documenting sources. Proper MLA style shows that writers are conscientious of the standards of writing in their respective disciplines. Properly documenting sources also ensures that an author is not plagiarizing.

What does MLA regulate?Document Format

In-text citations

Works Cited

4Recent Updates 2009 changes in MLA:No more Underlining (only use italics)Publication Medium (e.g. Print, Web, etc.)New Abbreviations (e.g. N.p. for no publisher given)

5In Summer 2008, the Modern Language Association released its third edition of the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, which publicly unveiled modifications to MLA Style for the upcoming year. These changes go into effect April 2009 with the release of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition). General paper formatting (margins, headings, etc.) and in-text citations will remain the same, but all Works Cited style entries will be different from the 6th edition guidelines. The Purdue OWL will begin listing these changes in all our MLA resources in April 2009. Here are some of the more noteworthy changes:

No More Underlining! Underlining is no more. MLA now recommends italicizing titles of independently published works (books, periodicals, films, etc).

No More URLs! While website entries will still include authors, article names, and website names, when available, MLA no longer requires URLs. Writers are, however, encouraged to provide a URL if the citation information does not lead readers to easily find the source.

Publication Medium. Every entry receives a medium of publication marker. Most entries will be listed as Print or Web, but other possibilities include Performance, DVD, or TV. Most of these markers will appear at the end of entries; however, markers for Web sources are followed by the date of access.

New Abbreviations. Many web source entries now require a publisher name, a date of publication, and/or page numbers. When no publisher name appears on the website, write N.p. for no publisher given. When sites omit a date of publication, write n.d. for no date. For online journals that appear only online (no print version) or on databases that do not provide pagination, write n. pag. for no pagination.

#1 Rule For Any Formatting StyleAlways Follow YourInstructors Guidelines6Many instructors who require their students to use MLA formatting and citation style have small exceptions to different MLA rules. Every bit of instruction and direction given in this presentation comes with this recommendation: ALWAYS follow the specific instructions given by your instructor.

Paper Formatting; Standards8.5 x 11 WHITE paperBLACK inkDouble SpaceTimes New Roman FontSize 12 PointPagination with last name; one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin1 Margins on both sidesNo cover page unless otherwise specifiedLeft hand corner: Name, Teacher name, Class, Assignment name or DateTitle of paper centerIndent the 1st line of every paragraph one half inch from left margin (tab once)Italicize all titles

7Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paperDouble-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another. The font size should be 12 ptSet the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sidesIndent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requestedIn the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.Double space again and center the title.Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple PickingDouble space between the title and the first line of the text.Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)HANDOUT

8Plagiarism

9Show mini clip on identity thief spoof10What is plagiarism?According to the FIU Student Handbook:

The deliberate use and appropriation of anotherswork without any indication of the source and thepassing off of such work as the students own. Anystudent who fails to give credit for ideas or materialstaken from another is guilty of plagiarism. Anystudent helping another to plagiarize may be found guilty of academic misconduct (136).

11In other words...12Yes, It Is Plagiarism When...You quote an entire paper or page - whether you give credit or not.You copy and paste text directly from a website without giving credit to the source, using quotation marks or paraphrasing.You copy and paste a picture from the internet without citing the original source.You use another students paper, change the name, and submit it as your own.You rearrange or replace some words with synonyms when using another students paper.You purchase a written paper from the internet, friends, or any other source that is not you.You have a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, classmate, teammate, or anyone else, write a paper for you.

13Whats the difference?Original Material

With FIU down 21-15 and 2:14left in the game, Hilton fumbled an end-around handoff fromquarterback Paul McCall, scooped up the ball as he was being chased by Red Wolves, and found a wide open Mertile downfield for a touchdown to lift FIU over Arkansas State.Student MaterialWith FIU losing 21-15 and 2:14 remaining in the match, Hilton fumbled an end-around handoff from quarterback Paul McCall, picked up the ball as he was being pursued by Red Wolves, and discovered a wide open Mertile downfield for a touchdown to boost Fiu over Arkansas State.14Replacing words with the use of synonyms. It is still plagiarism. The student is using the author's sentence structure and ideas, but using synonyms for the original words. Using synonyms is not paraphrasing and therefore, the author must be cited to acknowledge the source.

How do I avoid plagiarism?Use your own words! Write your own thoughts, experiences, opinions, or conclusions about the subject. Its your voice; use it.Use MLA format and cite sources correctly15The Art of Quoting; CitationsQuotationsQuoting = credibility, fairness and accuracy.Quotations = evidence

16Some problems; how much?17Writers assume that quotes speak for themselves

Quotes are like orphansWhen taken out of their original context and put into a new surrounding they need to be integrated properly of theyll be confused (or confusing). Picture this:Free Clipart of Children18Two KeysChoose wisely; relevancyCITE!!!! Give credit where it is deserved. Explain whose words they are, what they mean, and how it relates to your text

19Build a Frame or Suffer a Hit and RunHit and run quotations are like car accidents where the driver speeds away without taking responsibility for the dent in your fender or the smashed taillights.

20Put a sound of screeching tires and crashHit & Run Susan Bordo writes about women and dieting. Fiji is just one example. Until television was introduced in 1995, the islands had no reported cases of eating disorders. In 1998, three years after programs from the United States and Britain began broadcasting there, 62 percent of the girls surveyed reported dieting. I think Bordo is right. Another point Bordo makes is that

21FAIL!22Negative buzzer soundSandwich it!

23Take out a sandwich and hand it to a student; what is the concept behind a sandwich? How is it made?Quotation SandwichTo adequately frame a quotation you need to insert it into a quotation sandwich, with the statement introducing it serving as the top slice of bread, and the explanation following it serving as the bottom slice of bread.

24In other words....Introductory or lead-in claims should explain who is speaking and set up what the quotation says; the follow up statements should explain why you consider the quotation to be important and what you take it to say.

25Signal Phrases and VerbsPhrases

In the words ofAs noted byPoints out thatOffers an argument that

Verbs

AcknowledgesAgreesArguesBelievesClaimsContendsIllustratesObservesReasonsSuggests

when introducing quotes/ citations26Templates for Introducing QuotesX states, ______.As the prominent philosopher X puts it, _______.According to X, _______.X himself writes, ______.In her book, ______, X maintains that _____.Writing in the journal Commentary, X complains that _________.In Xs view, _____.X agrees when she writes, _____.X disagrees when he writes, _____.X complicates matters further when she writes, ______.

Note: language should accurately reflect the tone of the quoted passage. For instance note the difference between Bordo states and Bordo is alarmed that or Bordo complains 27HandoutAlbert Einstein once saidIf you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough.

Templates for Explaining QuotationsBasically, X is saying _______.

In other words, X believes ________.

In making this comment, X argues that _____.

X is insisting that _______.

Xs point is that ________.

The essence of Xs argument is that _______.

29Revised use of quotes The feminist philosopher Susan Bordo deplores the hold that the Western obsession with dieting has on women. Her basic argument is that increasing numbers of women across the globe are being led to see themselves as fat and in need of diet. Citing the island of Fiji as a case in point, Bordo notes that until television was introduced in 1995, the islands had no reported cases of eating disorders. In 1998, three years after programs from the United States and Britain began broadcasting there, 62 percent of the girls surveyed reported dieting (149-50). Bordos point is that the Wests obsession with dieting is spreading even to remote places across the globe. Ultimately, Bordo complains, the culture of dieting will find you, regardless of where you live. Bordos observations rings true to me because a friend of mine from a remote area in China speaks of the cult of dieting among young women there

30Some basic guidelines to rememberIntroduce quote with Title and Author; place page number in parentheses at the end of quote.

Introduce quote with Author; place page number in parentheses at the end of quote.

Place quote first, end with Author and page number in parentheses.

Place a period at the end of the sentence after a parenthesis.

31Paraphrasingdoes not match the source word for word

involves putting a passage from a source into your own words

changes the words or phrasing of a passage, but retains and fully

communicates the original meaning

must be attributed to the original sourceParaphrasing is a way of presenting a text, keeping the same meaning, but using different words and phrasing.Paraphrasing is used with short sections of text, such as phrases and sentences.32ExampleThe original passage:Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.

Example paraphraseA legitimate paraphrase:In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).

How to ParaphraseRead the source carefully. It is essential that you understand it fully.

Identify the main point(s) and key words.

Cover the original text and rewrite it in your own words. Check that you have included the main points.

Write the paraphrase in your own style.

Consider each point; how could you rephrase it?35When to ParaphraseParaphrase short sections of work only; a sentence or two or a short paragraph.

As an alternative to a direct quotation.

To rewrite someone elses ideas without changing the meaning.

To express someone elses ideas in your own words.

To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your own writing.36Summarizingdoes not match the source word for word

involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, but including only the main point(s)

presents a broad overview, so is usually much shorter than the original text

must be attributed to the original sourceA summary is an overview of a text. The main idea is given, but details, examples and formalities are left out. Used with longer texts, the main aim of summarising is to reduce or condense a text to its most important ideas.37ExampleThe original passage:Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.Example SummaryAn acceptable summary:Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

How To SummarizeThe amount of detail you include in a summary will vary according to the length of the original text, how much information you need and how selective you are.

Start by reading a short text and highlighting the main points as you read.

Reread the text and make notes of the main points, leaving out examples, evidence etc.

Without the text, rewrite your notes in your own words; restate the main idea at the beginning plus all major points.40When to SummarizeSummarize long sections of work, like a long paragraph, page or chapter.

To outline the main points of someone elses work in your own words, without the details or examples.

To include an authors ideas using fewer words than the original text.

To briefly give examples of several differing points of view on a topic.

To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.

41Direct Quotesmatch the source word for word

are usually a brief segment of the text

appear between quotation marks

must be attributed to the original sourceA quotation is an exact reproduction of spoken or written words. Direct quotes can provide strong evidence, act as an authoritative voice, or support a writers statements.

42How To QuoteMake sure that you have a good reason to use a direct quotation. Quoting should be done sparingly and should support your own work, not replace it. For example, make a point in your own words, then support it with an authoritative quote.

Direct quotations should appear between quotation marks ( )

A short quotation often works well integrated into a sentence.

Longer quotations (more than 4 lines of text) should be in block quote format.

Appears exactly the way it is in the original text and exactly reproduce text, including punctuation and capital letters.

Cited with a page or paragraph number in parentheses. Citation at the end of the sentence is placed before the period.

Can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of sentence. Can be divided by your words.

43When to QuoteWhen the authors words convey a powerful meaning.

When you want to use the author as an authoritative voice in your own writing.

To introduce an authors position you may wish to discuss.

To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.44What kind of quote is this?

45Block QuotationsLonger than four lines

No quotation marks

Page number placed in parentheses at the end, after the period

One paragraph all lines indented 10 spaces from the left

46Think about this way..Citations are like hyperlinks in online articles. If you click on the hyperlink it takes you to the original source. You always want to find out where the information came from and you want to find it easily. Granted, on the internet its only a click away, thats why in writing its so important to make sure you cite your sources correctly.

47Works CitedSeparate page and last page of essayTitled Works Cited centeredHanging indent for each entryFirst line flush leftSubsequent lines indentedAlphabetized by authors last name, if no author editor, if no author or editor, start with titleAuthors last name followed by comma and first name. If multiple authors, subsequent authors names appear first name first.Italicize titles of books and long works, titles of articles in quotation marks. Use a period and a space after each element of the entry.

48Handout sample works cited page

49Basic Formats:Book:

Author last name, first name. Title. City of publication: Publisher, Publication Date. Print.

Example:

Crystal, David. Language Play. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1998. Print.

50PeriodicalsAuthor last name, first name. Article title. Periodical Title Date or volume information: page numbers. Print

Article in a Magazine Example:

Surowiecki, James. The Stimulus Strategy. New Yorker 25 Feb. 2008: 29. Print.

Article In a Journal Example:

Gigante, Denise. The Monster in the Rainbow: Keats and the Science of Life. PMLA 117:3 (2002): 433-48. Print.

51InternetWeb Site:

Author last name, first name (editor, compiler, director, narrator, translator). Title of Web Site. Sponsor or Publisher (NP if none), date of publication, or last update. Web. Date of access.

Examples:

Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web. A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites. A List Apart Mag., 16 Aug. 2002. Web. 4 May 2009.

Weather.com. Weather Channel Interactive, 2006. Web. 13 Mar. 2006.

52Other SourcesPersonal Interview Example:

Purdue, Pete. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2000.

Speech Example:

Stein, Bob. Computers and Writing Conference. Purdue University. Union Club Hotel, West Lafayette, IN. 23 May 2003. Keynote address.

53ResourcesTip: Do not expect to memorize how to format all sources, so use the resources available:

54WARNING!There are online sources like easybib.com, & citationmachine.com; BEWARE!! They are NOT 100% reliable!

55The End56