Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format Paper Format Basics Font Font Size Justification Hyphenation Paper Size Printing

Transcription

1 Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format This handout should step you through the basics of formatting a paper and citing sources using MLA format from the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6 th ed., by Joseph Gibaldi. Basics Paper Format Font choose a standard, easily readable typeface (e.g., Times Roman) Font Size standard type size (usually 12 point) Justification left justification Hyphenation turn off the word processor s automatic hyphenations feature Paper Size standard 8 ½-by-11-inch paper Printing only print on one side of the paper Margins set all margins at 1 inch Spacing double spacing Heading and Title (see example below) Title Page no title page, unless the professor asks for one Page Numbers in the header section of the paper (or ½ inch from the top) put your name followed by the one space and the page number flush with the right margin to number all pages Identification Information type your name, the professor s name, the course number, and the date in the upper left-hand corner. It should be one inch from the top and should be double spaced. Title one double space under your identification information, type your title (capitalizing the first letter of the important words). Do NOT underline your title or put it in quotes or type it in all caps. Body one double space under your title, begin your paper. The first sentence of each paragraph should be indented one tab or ½ inch. Page 1 of 6

2 Citation Format In Text Citation (Parenthetical Citation) When referencing a work from your works cited page for a quote or a paraphrase, use the following format: o Open parenthesis author name one space page number closed parenthesis Example: (Smith 143) o There is no punctuation inside the parentheses. o Put your citation before the period in the sentence with the quote. Example: MLA and APA differ because they are shaped by thte kind of research and scholarship undertake (Gibaldi 143). o For block quotes, put the citation after the end punctuation of the quote. Works Cited Begin your works cited list on a separate page from your essay. Title title the page Works Cited (remember: do NOT underline the title or put it in quotes and do not type it in all caps). Spacing double space all entries and in between entries. Basic Rules for Citations Authors Names names are listed last name first. o Example: Smith, John. o If there are more than one author, invert the first author s name and continue to list the other authors in regular order. Order arrange all entries in alphabetical order based on the first word(s) of each entry Formatting entries o The first line of each entry should be flush with the left margin with a hanging indent of one tab or ½ inch. o Underlining and Italics are the equal, but choose one format and use it consistently. Page 2 of 6

3 Capitalize capitalize each important word of the titles of articles, books, etc. (This does not include articles, short prepositions, etc, unless they are the first work of the title or subtitle). Underlining and Italics titles of books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and films should be underlined or in italics. Quotation Marks---use quotation marks ( ) around o the titles of articles in journals, newspapers, etc. o book chapters, poems, and songs Example Citations (all title examples used are fictitious) Books (Basic Format) Author name. Title. City of publication: Publisher, year of publication. Book with One Author Smith, Bob. The Reason for Using MLA. Smallville: Page Press, Multiple Works by Same Author (alphabetized by title) Smith, Bob. The Reason for Using APA. Smallville: Page Press, The Reason for Using Chicago Style. Smallville: Page Press, The Reason for Using MLA. Smallville: Page Press, Multiple Authors Smith, Bob and Jane Doe. The Reason for Using Turabian Style. Smallville: Page Press, Smith, Bob, Frederick Von Trapp, Lisa Friendly, and Jane Doe. The Reasoning behind Citations. Smallville: Page Press, Page 3 of 6

4 Book with a Corporate Author Bob Smith Foundation. Citations: An Easy Guide. Smallville: Page Press, Book with No Author Dictionary of Citations. Smallville: Page Press, Anthology or Compilation Smith, Bob, ed. The Art of Citation Writing. Smallville: Page Press, Works in an Anthology Doe, Jane. Where to Put the Quotation Marks. The Art of Citation Writing. Ed. Bob Smith. Smallville: Page Press, Article from a Reference Book MLA Citations. Encyclopedia of the Greatest Citations. 2 nd ed., Comma. Dictionary of Citations ed. Articles in Periodicals (basic format) Author(s). Title of Article. Title of Journal Volume number (Year): Pages. Article from a Journal with Continuous Pagination Smith, Bob. Just What is a Citation Anyway? Journal of American Citations 143 (2003): Article from a Journal without Continuous Pagination (This has the issue number following the volume number and a period.) Smith, Bob. Citations! You have to be kidding! Journal of Bizarre Citations (2003): Article with One Author from a Magazine Page 4 of 6

5 Smith, Bob. You Can t Make Me Use Citations! Citation Weekly 14 Nov. 2003: Article from a Newspaper Smith, Bob. The Great Citation Cover-Up. Citation Times 14 Nov. 2003: D1. Electronic Resources (basic format) Author(s). Article Title. Name of web site. Date of posting or revision. Name of institution/organization affiliated with site. Date of access <electronic address>. Article from an Online Journal that is in also in Print Smith, Bob. Citations! You have to be Kidding!. Journal of Bizarre Citations (2003): Nov < Article Accessed through a Database Smith, Bob. I Don t Need No Stinking Citations. Journal of Bizarre Citations. 124 (2003): 1-4. EBSCOhost. 14 Nov < Entire Web Site The Absolutely Hardest Way to Use MLA Citations. Ed. Bob Smith. 15 Jul Bob Smith Citation University. 14 Nov < Article on a Web Site Doe, Jane. I Love to use Citations. The Absolutely Hardest Way to Use MLA Citations. 15 Jul Bob Smith Citation University. 14 Nov < Page 5 of 6

6 Image Online Basic format: Artist, if available. Description or title of image. Date of image. Online image. Title of larger site. Date of download. <electronic address>. Smith, Bob. Citation in Motion. No date. Online image. The Absolutely Hardest Way to Use MLA Citations. 14 Nov Film or Videorecording Basic Format: Title. Director. Performers. Distributer. Videocassette or DVD, Date. MLA s a Piece of Cake. Dir. Bob Smith. Perf. Bob Smith. Videocassette. Bob Smith Citation University, DISCLAIMER: While this guide prepared by the library for quick reference from the MLA Handbook, you should always consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6 th ed., for authoritative information to ensure no mistakes were made in the preparation of this handout. Page 6 of 6