I. In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Citations):
* Author-Page Method: This is the most common method. Include the author's last name and the page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence containing the borrowed information. Punctuation goes *after* the parentheses.
* Example: "Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter is masterful" (Shakespeare 123).
* Multiple Authors: For two authors, list both last names. For three or more, use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
* Example: (Smith and Jones 45) or (Smith et al. 78)
* No Author: If no author is listed, use a shortened version of the title (in quotation marks for articles, italicized for books).
* Example: ("The Impact of Social Media" 25) or (*The History of Art* 100)
* Multiple Works by the Same Author: If you cite multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title to distinguish them.
* Example: (Smith, *Hamlet* 56) and (Smith, *Macbeth* 12)
* Indirect Sources: If you're citing a source that quotes another source, cite the source you *actually read*, indicating the original source in the parenthetical citation.
* Example: According to Smith, Shakespeare's use of imagery is "unparalleled" (qtd. in Jones 15).
II. Works Cited Page:
* Separate Page: The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper on a separate page. It's titled "Works Cited" (centered, not italicized).
* Alphabetical Order: Entries are listed alphabetically by the first word of each entry (usually the author's last name).
* Hanging Indent: The first line of each entry is flush left, with subsequent lines indented (usually ½ inch).
* Consistent Formatting: Use consistent formatting for capitalization, punctuation, and italics throughout the page.
* Specific Entry Formats: Each source type (book, article, website, etc.) has a specific format. Here are some examples:
* Book:
Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year.
Example: Shakespeare, William. *Hamlet*. Penguin, 1987.
* Journal Article:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." *Title of Journal*, vol. number, no. number, year, pages. DOI or URL.
Example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Technology." *Journal of Science*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2023, pp. 123-145. https://doi.org/exampledoi
* Website:
Author (if available). "Title of Page." *Name of Website*, Publisher, Date of Publication (if available), URL.
Example: "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." *Purdue OWL*, Purdue University, 2023, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html
III. General Guidelines:
* Accuracy: Ensure all information is accurate and consistent with the source.
* Completeness: Include all necessary information for each entry.
* Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout the paper and Works Cited page.
* Consult the MLA Handbook: For the most up-to-date and comprehensive guidelines, consult the official *MLA Handbook*. The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is also a reliable resource.
These guidelines provide a basic framework. The specific formatting requirements can vary slightly depending on the context and your instructor's preferences. Always check your assignment instructions for specific requirements. Using a citation management tool like Zotero or Mendeley can significantly simplify the process.