MLA Matters
MLA MATTERS
MLA (Modern Language Association) uses an author-page citation format. In
your paper you need to cite the following information:
1) direct quotations (short vs. block--4+ typed lines of text)
2) statistical data
3) charts, graphs, tables
4) any information taken from a source not considered common knowledge-theories,
judgments, opinions, personal explanations; facts open to dispute; information
gathered by (small) number of researchers.
#4 is the potentially confusing item; paraphrased information generally comes under this
heading. If you have to look at your source or your source notes as you write information
in your own words, you will most likely need to cite the source.
Sample Citations
Although Strunk and White stress conciseness as a major goal for writers, they
also insist that writers "not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity" (81).
Writers should strive to express ideas concisely, but they should "not take
shortcuts at the cost of clarity" (Strunk and White 81).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Readers should always be aware of the source of your information; the author-
page designation will lead them to the Works Cited page, which can then lead them to the
original material.
Strunk, William Jr., and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. 3rd ed. Boston:
Allyn, 1979.
Chapter 5 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers focuses on in-text
citation and offers a format for citing works without an identified author--using a key
word from the title which will lead easily to the Works Cited page is the usual way. The
author-page format is used for both print and electronic sources. For material that is not
paginated--lectures, television programs, personal interviews, e-mail, certain on-line
information--your text needs to include the relevant information that will direct readers
to your source.
In a recent interview, John George, the Director of Operations, noted the
continuing troubles with "difficult employees."
The CBS Reports broadcast of Harvest of Shame brought to light the desperate
plight of migrant farm workers in the United States.
On-line Matters
The rise of electronic sources has changed the world of research and the method
of documenting it. Section 5.9 of the 6th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers
of Research Papers provide current Works Cited prescriptions for electronic materials.
You need to look through those sections to find the particular form that applies to
your source. Keep in mind that your aim remains the same as with print materials: you
need to show readers clearly and exactly how they can locate your information. Please
note as well that if a print version of this text exists, you will need to include
that information arranged according to standard MLA format before indicating the
electronic locale of the material.
Angier, Natalie. "Chemists Learn Why Vegetable Are Good for You." New York Times
13 Apr. 1993, late ed.: C1. New York Times Ondisc. CD-ROM. UMI-
Proquest. Oct. 1993.
If no print version exists, your citation might look like this one--
Glicken, Morley D. "A Five-Step Plan to Renew Your Creativity." National
Business Employment Weekly. Online. Dow Jones New Retrieval.
10 November 1992.
In using electronic sources for research work, make sure that you evaluate these sources.
The Internet allows for private rantings to look like authoritative expressions of fact, and
many pieces once downloaded have the substantiality of encyclopedia articles or almanac
listings, neither of which qualify as major or acceptable research sources. Use
the accompanying handouts to judge whether your electronic materials offer valid or
valuable information on your chosen topic.
MLA (Modern Language Association) uses an author-page citation format. In
your paper you need to cite the following information:
1) direct quotations (short vs. block--4+ typed lines of text)
2) statistical data
3) charts, graphs, tables
4) any information taken from a source not considered common knowledge-theories,
judgments, opinions, personal explanations; facts open to dispute; information
gathered by (small) number of researchers.
#4 is the potentially confusing item; paraphrased information generally comes under this
heading. If you have to look at your source or your source notes as you write information
in your own words, you will most likely need to cite the source.
Sample Citations
Although Strunk and White stress conciseness as a major goal for writers, they
also insist that writers "not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity" (81).
Writers should strive to express ideas concisely, but they should "not take
shortcuts at the cost of clarity" (Strunk and White 81).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Readers should always be aware of the source of your information; the author-
page designation will lead them to the Works Cited page, which can then lead them to the
original material.
Strunk, William Jr., and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. 3rd ed. Boston:
Allyn, 1979.
Chapter 5 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers focuses on in-text
citation and offers a format for citing works without an identified author--using a key
word from the title which will lead easily to the Works Cited page is the usual way. The
author-page format is used for both print and electronic sources. For material that is not
paginated--lectures, television programs, personal interviews, e-mail, certain on-line
information--your text needs to include the relevant information that will direct readers
to your source.
In a recent interview, John George, the Director of Operations, noted the
continuing troubles with "difficult employees."
The CBS Reports broadcast of Harvest of Shame brought to light the desperate
plight of migrant farm workers in the United States.
On-line Matters
The rise of electronic sources has changed the world of research and the method
of documenting it. Section 5.9 of the 6th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers
of Research Papers provide current Works Cited prescriptions for electronic materials.
You need to look through those sections to find the particular form that applies to
your source. Keep in mind that your aim remains the same as with print materials: you
need to show readers clearly and exactly how they can locate your information. Please
note as well that if a print version of this text exists, you will need to include
that information arranged according to standard MLA format before indicating the
electronic locale of the material.
Angier, Natalie. "Chemists Learn Why Vegetable Are Good for You." New York Times
13 Apr. 1993, late ed.: C1. New York Times Ondisc. CD-ROM. UMI-
Proquest. Oct. 1993.
If no print version exists, your citation might look like this one--
Glicken, Morley D. "A Five-Step Plan to Renew Your Creativity." National
Business Employment Weekly. Online. Dow Jones New Retrieval.
10 November 1992.
In using electronic sources for research work, make sure that you evaluate these sources.
The Internet allows for private rantings to look like authoritative expressions of fact, and
many pieces once downloaded have the substantiality of encyclopedia articles or almanac
listings, neither of which qualify as major or acceptable research sources. Use
the accompanying handouts to judge whether your electronic materials offer valid or
valuable information on your chosen topic.