MLA Style Citations

1. MLA Style Citations

2. What Is a citation? • A citation is a reference to a source used. • Whenever you use another person’s ideas or words, you must cite, or give credit, to that person. • This is called citing a source. • Example: Walker, Sally. Volcanoes: Earth’s Inner Fire. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1994.

3. MLA Style citation • MLA style was developed by the Modern Language Association. • MLA was created so that anyone who reads your research can easily find the information you used. • Each source is cited the same way. • All books look the same. • All websites look the same.

4. Why you need to cite your sources • Three important reasons to cite your source • To find information • To show that you understand your topic • To avoid plagiarism

5. Why you need to cite your sources • Information • Citations help you remember where you got your information • You can return to your source for more information or to clarify something • Citations also help readers find where you got your information so they too can read it

6. Why you need to cite your sources • To show you understand your topic • Citations show that you were careful in your research • People reading your information can trust that your information is reliable • Also, citations show that other people agree with what you are saying

7. Why you need to cite your sources • Plagiarism • Plagiarism is when someone uses someone else’s ideas or information without giving that person credit for it. • You need to avoid plagiarism by giving people credit for their ideas and their words. • This is why you need to cite your sources.

8. How to cite your sources • Two ways to cite your sources • At the end of your paper in a works cited page • Within the paper in parenthetical citations

9. How to cite your sources • A Works Cited list • Itis a list of all the sources you used in your research paper. • Here are some entries for part of a Works Cited list Crane, Cody. “In the Shadow of a Volcano.” Science World 4 Feb. 2008: 16-19. Walker, Sally. Volcanoes: Earth’s Inner Fire. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1994. Wood, Chuck. “Current Volcanic Activity.” Volcano World. 13 Sept. 2007. NASA North Dakota Space Grant Consortium. 29 Oct. 2007 <http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/current.html>.

10. Works cited list: Books Author’s last name, Author’s first name. Book Title. City of publication: Publisher’s name, year of publication. Walker, Sally. Volcanoes: Earth’s Inner Fire. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1994.

11. Works Cited List: Periodicals • Periodicals arepublications that are published regularly, or periodically, such as newspapers, magazines, and journals. Author’s last name, Author’s first name. “Article Title.” Magazine Name day Month year: page number(s). Crane, Cody. “In the Shadow of a Volcano.” Science World 4 Feb. 2008: 16-19.

12. Works cited list: Website Author’s last name, Author’s first name (if known). “Document Title.” Title of Web Site. day Month year of publication (or last update). Name of Sponsoring Institution. day Month year of access <URL>. Wood, Chuck. “Current Volcanic Activity.” Volcano World. 13 Sept. 2007. NASA North Dakota Space Grant Consortium. 29 Oct. 2007 <http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/current.html>.

13. Works Cited list; Movie Movie Title. Director’s Name. Performance by. Film Studio or Distributor. Release Year. • The Usual Suspects. Dir. Bryan Singer. Perf. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, ChazzPalminteri, Stephen Baldwin, and Benecio del Toro. Polygram, 1995. Film.

14. Works Cited List • Sources are put in the Works Cited list in alphabetical order, double-spaced, and indented one-half inch. • Here is an example of a final Works Cited list. Works Cited Crane, Cody. “In the Shadow of a Volcano.” Science World 4 Feb. 2008: 16-19. Walker, Sally. Volcanoes: Earth’s Inner Fire. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1994.