MLA

What is MLA?

Modern Language AssociationA method of citing references in research

papers

What does MLA regulate?

MLA regulates:

Document Format

In-text citations

Works Cited

(a list of all sources

used in the paper)

Your Instructor Knows Best

#1 Rule for any formatting style:

AlwaysFollow your instructor’s

guidelines

MLA Checklist

Format: General Guidelines Reminder

Type on white 8.5” x 11” paper

Double-space everything

Use 12 pt. Courier font (or similar font)

Leave only one space after punctuation

Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides

Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch

Header with page numbers in the upper right corner

Use italics for titles of long texts

Use quotes for short texts

Sample 1st Page

Type your name in the box and select INSERT PAGE NUMBER

Choose Plain Number 3 with the number on the right.Your screen will look like this:

Type your last name in and close the window. Your last name and page number will now appear on each page.

Works Cited Checklist

Organizing Your Entries

Use one of the following websites to guide you in organizing your individual entries:

Research and Documentation Online by Diana Hacker, Published by Bedford St. Martins http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/home.html

The OWL at Purdue http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

EasyBib

http://www.easybib.com/

Basic Style for Citations of Electronic Sources (Including Online Databases)

Here are some common features you should try and find before citing electronic sources in MLA style. Always include as much information as is available/applicable: Author and/or editor names Name of the database, or title of project, book,

article Any version numbers available Date of version, revision, or posting Publisher information Date you accessed the material NOTE: An electronic address is no longer required!

Have you checked the punctuation for each of your entries?

Check:PeriodsColonsQuotation marksUnderlining

Organizing the Page

Do you have your last name and page number noted in the upper right-hand corner?

Are the words Works Cited centered at the top of the page?

Is the page double-spaced throughout?

Have you used a hanging indent for each of the entries?

Have you alphabetized the entries?

If there is no author, use the first word of the title (disregard A, An, The).

Editing – 5 tricks & A Checklist

1. Read it aloud—SLOWLY

2. Read it backwards, sentence-by-sentence

3. Read only for grammar and spelling only at this stage

4. Read it as a proofreader more than once

5. Read it with two peer editors who should go over the entire checklist below