Navigating the world of academic writing can be challenging, especially when it comes to properly citing sources and formatting your work. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities and liberal arts, and understanding its intricacies is crucial for responsible research and academic success. This in-depth guide provides a comprehensive overview of MLA format, covering everything from citations and plagiarism to paper formatting and the works-cited list.
In academic research, giving credit where it's due isn't just a suggestion; it's a cornerstone of ethical scholarship. MLA style provides a standardized system for acknowledging sources, preventing plagiarism, and enabling readers to trace your research.
Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work as your own, whether intentional or accidental. This includes:
Avoiding plagiarism is crucial. Responsible researchers meticulously track their sources and cite them accurately using guidelines.
A citation indicates the origin of information used in your research. Citations are included when you directly quote a source or paraphrase someone else's ideas. Think of citations as breadcrumbs that guide your reader back to the original sources you consulted.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) develops guidelines for language, literature, and research. While independent from this guide, the information presented here is built upon standards established for properly formatted research papers and source citations. MLA format ensures your writing is clear, consistent, and credible.
The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition. Key updates include:
A complete MLA citation contains specific elements arranged in a specific order. Understanding these elements is key to creating accurate and useful citations.
A full MLA citation typically follows this structure:
Author. "Title of Source." Title of Container, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location.
Let's break down each element:
In-text citations are brief references placed within the text of your paper to indicate the source of a quote or paraphrase.
Parenthetical Citations:
The most common type of in-text citation is the parenthetical citation, which includes the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found: (Smith 15).
For example:
"The quick brown rabbit jumps over the lazy frogs (Smith 15)."
Citations in Prose (Narrative):
Another approach is to mention the author's name in the sentence itself, followed by the page number in parentheses:
Smith states, "The quick brown rabbit jumps over the lazy frogs" (15).
@CarlaHayden. "I’m so honored to talk about digital access at @UMBCHumanities. We want to share the @libraryofcongress collection." Twitter, 13 Apr. 2017, 6:04 p.m., twitter.com/LibnOfCongress/status/852643691802091521.
The "container" is the larger work that holds your source. For example, a journal article is contained within a journal, and a song is contained within an album. Some sources have multiple containers.
For instance, to cite Pink Floyd’s song, "Another Brick in the Wall (Part I),” which is from their album The Wall, you would use the following format:
Pink Floyd. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part I).” The Wall, Columbia, 1979, track 3.
You don't need to cite information that is considered common knowledge. This includes facts that are widely known and easily verifiable (e.g., "The Statue of Liberty is in New York City"). However, if you are unsure whether something qualifies as common knowledge, it's always best to cite it.
Wikipedia can be a useful starting point for research, but it's crucial to exercise caution. Because it is a user-generated site, the reliability of its content can be questionable. You may want to instead consider locating the original source of the information, which should be fairly easy to do thanks to the references at the bottom of each article.
Adhering to MLA formatting is important. Correct formatting enhances readability and presents your work in a professional manner.
The Works Cited list is an alphabetized list of all the sources you cited in your paper. It appears at the end of your document on a separate page. Follow these guidelines to create an accurate and properly formatted Works Cited list:
Remember: The Citation Machine MLA formatter can help you save time and energy when creating your citations. Check out our MLA Citation Machine pages to learn more.
MLA style provides guidelines for incorporating images, figures, tables, and musical scores into your paper. Always place visuals close to the text they relate to and provide a clear label and caption.
Before submitting your paper, review this checklist to ensure you've met all the requirements:
Even with the best intentions, students can unintentionally plagiarize. Common causes include:
Mastering MLA style is an essential skill for students in the humanities and liberal arts. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the accuracy, credibility, and ethical integrity of your academic work. Utilizing tools like the Citation Machine MLA generator can further streamline the process, allowing you to focus on the substance of your research and writing.
