MLA DocumentationMLA Documentation

What is MLA?What is MLA?

It stands for It stands for Modern Language AssociationModern Language Association Standard for documentation of sources (rules)Standard for documentation of sources (rules) Others available, but MLA is used in the Others available, but MLA is used in the

humanities (literature, history, philosophy, humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.)etc.)

Your essayYour essay

EVERYTHING needs to be double-spaced, EVERYTHING needs to be double-spaced, Times New Roman or Arial and 12 FontTimes New Roman or Arial and 12 Font

Before typing, set up paper (in Microsoft Before typing, set up paper (in Microsoft Word) by going to Format►Paragraph►Line Word) by going to Format►Paragraph►Line Spacing, click Spacing, click Spacing anSpacing andd select double select double..

First page of essayFirst page of essay

Heading on left margin w/ name, course title, Heading on left margin w/ name, course title, period & dateperiod & date

The next line will include title—centeredThe next line will include title—centered Begin essay (indented) on 2Begin essay (indented) on 2ndnd line line

Sample headingSample heading

Donald DuckDonald Duck

English I Pre-APEnglish I Pre-AP

11stst Period Period

October 26, 2004October 26, 2004

The Almighty ZeusThe Almighty Zeus

Zeus was a powerful God. He had a Zeus was a powerful God. He had a rough start when he was born because his rough start when he was born because his father had eaten all of his brothers and sisters.father had eaten all of his brothers and sisters.

Your Works Cited PageYour Works Cited Page

Last page that is Last page that is separateseparate from rest of paper. from rest of paper. Before typing anything, set up a hanging Before typing anything, set up a hanging

indent:indent: Format►Paragraph►Special►HangingFormat►Paragraph►Special►Hanging

Title: Works Cited at top of page (center). NO Title: Works Cited at top of page (center). NO QUOTES, NO BOLD, EXACTLY AS I’VE QUOTES, NO BOLD, EXACTLY AS I’VE WRITTEN!WRITTEN!

Works Cited continuedWorks Cited continued

All entries are double-spaced w/ no extra line All entries are double-spaced w/ no extra line between spacesbetween spaces

Titles of books are underlined OR italicized, Titles of books are underlined OR italicized, but not both. Use one method throughout but not both. Use one method throughout paper.paper.

Entries are ALPHABETICAL based on first Entries are ALPHABETICAL based on first word of entry (usually author)word of entry (usually author)

DO NOT BULLET OR NUMBER ENTRIESDO NOT BULLET OR NUMBER ENTRIES

Works Cited cont’dWorks Cited cont’d

For books, arrange in basic units: author’s For books, arrange in basic units: author’s name, title/subtitle, place of publication, name, title/subtitle, place of publication, publisher and datepublisher and date

For articles:For articles:

* Author’s name, article title (in quotes), title * Author’s name, article title (in quotes), title of magazine (underlined), date and page of magazine (underlined), date and page number(s).number(s).

Works Cited cont’dWorks Cited cont’d

For websites, use as much info as givenFor websites, use as much info as given List:List:

- Author’s name (if applicable)- Author’s name (if applicable)

- Full title of works in quotes- Full title of works in quotes

- Title of complete work (if applicable)- Title of complete work (if applicable)

- full http address- full http address

- date of visit- date of visit

Sample website entrySample website entry

Burka, Lauren P. “A Hypertext History ofBurka, Lauren P. “A Hypertext History of

Multi-User Dimensions.” Multi-User Dimensions.” Mud HistoryMud History..

5 December 1994 5 December 1994 <http://www.css.neu.edu/home.html>.<http://www.css.neu.edu/home.html>.

Sample EntriesSample Entries Book with no author, but editor(s)Book with no author, but editor(s)

““Ares.” Ares.” Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica, Ed. Warren Reich. 7 vols. , Ed. Warren Reich. 7 vols. New York: Macmillan, 2000.New York: Macmillan, 2000.

Book with 2-3 authorsBook with 2-3 authorsHarris, John and Jane Price. Harris, John and Jane Price. Love Stories.Love Stories. Boston: Amsco, Boston: Amsco,

1995.1995.

Book with multiple authors (4 or more)Book with multiple authors (4 or more)Sloan, David, et al. Sloan, David, et al. This stands for all othersThis stands for all others

Sample Works Cited PageSample Works Cited Page

Need more info?Need more info?

Visit Visit http://http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mlawww.ccc.commnet.edu/mla// for for info on paper format and citing info on paper format and citing sourcessources