When citing sources in your research project, it is important to follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guidelines. These guidelines provide a consistent format for citing sources, making it easier for readers to identify and locate the sources you have used.
Here are the basic steps for formatting citations in MLA style:
1. In-text citations:
- Include a parenthetical citation after any information that is directly taken from a source.
- This should include the author's last name and page number.
2. Works Cited page:
- Create a separate page at the end of your paper titled "Works Cited."
- List all of the sources you have cited in your paper in alphabetical order by author's last name.
- Format each entry according to the MLA guidelines.
Here are some examples of MLA-style citations:
* Book:
- Lastname, Firstname. _Book Title_. Publisher, Publication Year.
* For example: Smith, John. _The History of the United States_. HarperCollins, 2020.
* Article in a journal:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Article Title." _Journal Title_ Volume.Issue (Publication Year): Pages.
* For example: Jones, Mary. "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health." _Journal of Social Psychology_ 67.2 (2021): 101-115.
* Article in a newspaper:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Article Title." _Newspaper Title_ Publication Date: Page.
* For example: Brown, Peter. "City Council Approves New Budget." _The New York Times_ 18 March 2022: A16.
* Website:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Webpage Title." _Website Title_. Web Address. Publication or Last Update Date.
* For example: Green, Jane. "How to Write an MLA-Style Citation." _The Writing Center_. http://www.writingcenter.com/mla-style-citation.html. 8 January 2022.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent, and that your readers can easily find the sources you have used.