MLA Format for Research Writing

Yes, it’s boring, but you’ve GOT to know it!!!!!!!

What is MLA Style Format?

• Standard format for writing that includes research

• Format widely adopted by schools, literary journals, magazines, and newsletters across North America, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries throughout the world

• Provides a highly structured method for documenting outside sources used within your writing

What are the Main Elements of an essay

formatted in MLA Style• First page formatting necessities• Works Cited• Parenthetical Citation (also known

as Parenthetical References, or Parenthetical Documentation)

Are You Confused Yet?

Main Element #1: First Page Formatting

Necessities• Header (top right--

last name and page number)

• Heading (top left--Your Name, Teacher’s Name, Course Name, Date)

• Title (no special formatting besides being centered)

• Double-spaced throughout

Let’s Review…

In your own words….-What is MLA Format?-Why do we use MLA Format?-What are the specific formatting elements you

need to apply to the first page of your essay?

Main Element #2: Works Cited (a.k.a

Bibliography)• List of sources cited

within your essay• Specific format for

every type of source (I.e. book, website, interview, magazine, etc.)

• Double-spaced• Hanging indent• Separate, last page of

essay• Arranged

alphabetically

Were You Paying Attention????

• What is the purpose of a Works Cited page?• How is a Works Cited page arranged?• What is a hanging indent?• Where does the Works Cited page appear in

your essay?

Main Element #3: Parenthetical

Citation

• Specifically notes WHERE in your essay you have used a source from your Works Cited page

• MUST be used whenever you have a Works Cited page• MUST be used for direct quotes, AND for paraphrasing

or summarizing information from an outside source

Parenthetical Citation, continued

• General format is (Author last name and page #).• When no author is given, or page numbers do not exist (as

is the case for web sites), use the first item of information listed in your Works Cited entry for that source for your parenthetical citation

• Citations should appear at the end of the sentence where you have included info. from an outside source

Let’s Practice Parenthetical

Citation!• What would be

the proper way to use parenthetical citation for each of the following sources in this sample Works Cited page?

We’re Almost Finished…..

• Do you have any remaining questions?????

In Conclusion…• You will be expected to apply MLA Style Format to every formal essay you write

from now on….

OR ELSE!!!!!