In-Text Citations:
* Parenthetical Citations: Include the author's last name and page number in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased material.
* Example: (Smith 12).
* Signal Phrases: Introduce the source material with the author's name and relevant information, followed by a parenthetical citation with the page number.
* Example: According to John Smith, "the results were inconclusive" (12).
* Multiple Authors: If there are two authors, include both last names. If there are three or more, use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
* Examples: (Smith and Jones 12) or (Smith et al. 12).
* No Author: If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks.
* Example: ("The Impact of Climate Change" 12).
* Direct Quotations: Use quotation marks around direct quotes and cite the source appropriately.
* Example: "The results were inconclusive," Smith notes (12).
Works Cited Page:
* Alphabetical Order: List all sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author's last name (or the title if no author).
* Hanging Indentation: The first line of each entry should be flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines should be indented.
* Consistent Formatting: Use consistent formatting for all entries, including font, spacing, and punctuation.
* Complete Information: Include the following information for each source:
* Author(s)
* Title of source
* Publication information (publisher, date, etc.)
* Location (page numbers, URL, etc.)
General Requirements:
* Consistency: Maintain consistency throughout your paper.
* Accuracy: Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
* Clarity: Use clear and concise language to avoid confusion.
* Plagiarism Prevention: Proper documentation avoids plagiarism by giving credit to the original authors.
Resources:
* MLA Handbook: The official guide to MLA style.
* Purdue OWL: A comprehensive website with detailed information and examples.
* Citation Generators: Online tools that can help you generate citations for various sources.
Example of an MLA formatted citation:
In-Text:
* (Smith 12)
* Smith argues that "the results were inconclusive" (12).
Works Cited:
* Smith, John. *The Impact of Climate Change*. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
Remember, MLA documentation is essential for academic writing. It ensures that you give proper credit to your sources and helps your readers locate the information you've used.