Journal Topic for Monday, November 3rd:What is MLA format? What is it used for? Do you remember how to use it properly? Why or why not?

What is MLA anyway?

Modern Language AssociationFounded in 1883Discussion & advocacy group for literature & modern languages30,000 members in 100 countries worldwideAnnual 4-day conventionAcademic study of languageLanguage mappingJob placement

Why would you want to?

- Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries- Support claims or add credibility- Give examples of POV- Call attention to position- Highlight something powerful- distance yourself from the original- expand the breadth or depth of your writing

Summarizing

Summarizing = put main idea(s) into your own words, including only main point(s) - must be attributed

- significantly shorter than original

- take a broad overview

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing = put it in your own wordsAttribute paraphrases to their original sources

- usually shorter than the original

- Condense a broader source

Quoting

Quotations = exact words!- narrow segment- must match source document word for word - must be attributed to the original authorUse quotes when:- Author makes a solid point- Precisely & accurately stated- You can’t say it better yourself

Signal Phrases and In-Text Citation

introduce someone else’s work

In-text citations (also known as parenthetical citations)Usually appear at end of quoteGive credit where credit is dueA simple rule: Author or Title and Page: what isn’t signaled up front must be cited at the end.

Signal Phrases and In-Text Citation (continued)

Limited signal, everything in citation. . . end of paraphrased sentence, in which you convey the author's ideas in your own words (Williams 103)." . . . end of quoted sentence" (Williams 103).

Author in signal, page in citationIn 1985, Williams reported that . . . (103).Williams tells us that . . . (103).According to Williams, ". . ." (103).

Examples from The Crucible• Character: Thomas Putnam

• Evidence: “How may we blame ourselves? I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province. And yet I have one child left of eight – and now she shrivels” (1249)!

• Interpretation:Thomas Putnam is a proud man who is always looking for someone to blame for his troubles.

• Rationale:This tells us that Putnam is always going to be causing trouble for other people.

Writing an Interpretive Statement Combine your evidence and interpretation into one paragraph

Must use correct MLA format for citing quotes! Example:

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the character of Thomas Putnam is presented as a proud man who is constantly looking for someone to blame for his troubles. He says, “How may we blame ourselves? I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province.

And yet I have one child left of eight – and now she shrivels” (1249)! This shows his desire to point fingers and cast blame, and hints at the troubles to come in Salem.