MLA (Content)

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• What is MLA citation style?
• 8th edition changes
• The core elements
• MLA handouts
• Sample MLA formatted papers
• Formatting the hanging indent
• Tutorials
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• Related guides

MLA citation style is a set of rules created by the Modern Language Association that establishes standards of written communication (college research papers; articles, books and other documents submitted for publication) including: formatting and page layout writing style citing sources MLA citation style is often used in the following classes/fields: English Cultural Studies We keep a copy of the handbook at the Library Reference Desk at all three Reynolds campuses.

Important Note

Always check with your instructor on what format specifications to use for a particular class or assignment, especially when citing online resources including material found in library databases.

Credit

This guide was adapted from the MLA Style 8th Edition pages in the Citation Styles Playbook created by Piedmont Virginia Community College Library.

Works Cited

Woetzel, Denise. “Research Guides: Citation Style: MLA: In Text & Parenthetical Citations.” In Text & Parenthetical Citations - Citation Style: MLA - Research Guides at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 23 Sept. 2019, libguides.reynolds.edu/c.php?g=535461&p=3663645.

BASICS: Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Quoting Sources:

When you quote a source, you include the author's exact words in your text. Use "quotation marks" around the author's words. Include signal phrases and an in-text citation to show where the quote is from.

Paraphrasing & Summarizing Sources:

When you paraphrase or summarize a source, you restate the source's ideas in your own words and sentence structure. Select what is relevant to your topic, and restate only that. Changing only a few words is not sufficient in paraphrasing/ summarizing. Instead, you need to completely rephrase the author's ideas in your own words. You do not need to use quotation marks.

Always use in-text citations when you paraphrase or summarize, to let the reader know that the information comes from another source. Continue to use signal phrases as well.

What are in-text citations?

MLA BASICS: 
http://libguides.reynolds.edu/mla
APA BASICS: 
http://libguides.reynolds.edu/apa

Works Cited

Woetzel, Denise. “Research Guides: Citation Style: APA: In Text & Parenthetical Citations.” In Text & Parenthetical Citations - Citation Style: APA - Research Guides at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 12 Sept. 2019, libguides.reynolds.edu/c.php?g=577070&p=3980599.

Paraphrase More than Quoting

https://www.virtuallibrary.info/paraphrasing.html

SHOULD I PARAPHRASE OR QUOTE?

In general, an argument paper should be in your own words.  This means that 80% of the paper will be you asserting your argument, and about 20% of the paper will be from outside sources that are supporting what you have already argued.

To show that you understand the issue at hand and the sources that are supporting your stance, you should be paraphrasing outside sources that you use in your paper whenever possible.  When you paraphrase, you still have to give credit to the original author of that intellectual property; however, you are integrating it more naturally by remodeling the content into your own words.  While these paraphrased words are not the same as your own, original thought words, an audience will accept paraphrased words as more genuine and inter-developed compared to dropping quotes throughout your paper to make your argument for you.  

You would only use direct quotations if you have a very good reason: such as the content is very technical and cannot easily be rewritten, the content is very short in its original format, or you could not write it any better in your own words. Quotes do serve a purpose in academic argument writing, but they should be limited.  When you do use a direct quote, you must make sure that it is not only fully developed within the paragraph it is being used to support your argument, but it must also be properly introduced and cited.

Whether you quote, paraphrase, or summarize outside content, you still need to use signal phrases and in-text citations to provide proper documentation for others' work.  Students tend to "drop sources from the sky" and into their writing if they rush, don't use signal phrases, or over-quote instead of paraphrasing.  Always remember...in an argument paper, YOU are making an argument and sources are there to defend what you assert.  Therefore, the paper should be in your own words to solidify your knowledge on the topic and strength of argument to your audience.

You can visit these links for help with...

• 80/20 Content Rules
• Sources "Dropped from the Sky"
• Quoting and Paraphrasing
• Summary vs Paraphrase
• Accurately Using Sources

Properly Using Quotes as Content

ELIMINATE DROPPED QUOTATIONS

Always use proper signal phrases

You need to integrate borrowed material naturally into your own work so that it reads smoothly as part of your paper.  You will not ever have a sentence that is entirely from an outside source. 

7 Types of Essay Hooks

Grab Readers’ Attention  

by Suzanne Davis | May 8, 2019 | Writing Essays and Papers |

Here are 7 writing hooks that make readers want to find out what you will say in the rest of your essay.

1. Interesting Question Hook (1-sentence)
2. Strong Statement/Declaration Hook (1-sentence)
3. Fact/Statistic Hook (1-sentence)
4. Metaphor/ Simile Hook (1-sentence)
5. Story Hook (Can be a few sentences, but not more than 5*)
6. Description Hook (Can be a few sentences, but not more than 5*)
7. Quotation Hook (1-sentence)

Abstract Content

ABSTRACTs are only required on APA formatted papers.  

If you are using MLA or Turabian formatting, your documentation style does not require an abstract UNLESS your instructor specifically instructed you to include one with your assignment.

General Information  

• Do NOT write in 1st person voice: In this paper I will...
• Do NOT write in 2nd person voice: In this paper you will find...
• Do NOT use source materials in an abstract.  This is in YOUR words--3rd person voice.
• Do NOT post the thesis in the abstract.  The thesis must stay in the introduction paragraph and will be found as the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.
• Abbreviations and terms unique to a certain field need to be defined. 
• Abstracts should contain no quotations.  Find a way to summarize and use your own thoughts to communicate the essence of your writing to the audience.
• Make sure to portray accurately the purpose of the writing, along with pertinent information that is addressed in the body paragraphs. 
• Because abstracts are often read alone, they need to be self-contained, clear, and not linked to (or on the same page as) anything else.
• Be sure to write the abstract as if you have read someone else's paper and are writing a one-paragraph summary of it.
• Do NOT forget the Keywords section.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Abstract-in-APA

Abstracts are written as a summary.

They do not lead into the writing. 

They are not an introduction for the writing. 

They are a summary of the whole piece. 

Summarizing Content for Your Abstract ·         When writing an Abstract, keep in mind the guidelines for general summary. ·         Remember that an Abstract it should be in the form of a paragraph, but it is not indented. ·         It should be a brief but comprehensive summary of the paper. ·         Do not indent the first line of the abstract. ·         The abstract is not an introduction to the paper and should not contain any citations. ·         An Abstract explains the primary arguments—not just restating the thesis but actually digging into an explanation of the arguments that stem from the thesis. ·         It explains the important results and evidence in the paper without actually using any researched content, statistics, or sourced materials. ·         An informative abstract in an academic argument paper includes the paper’s purpose, methods, scope, sequence, and reason for the argument. ·         Begin with an introductory sentence that states the overall point of the text as you see it. ·         Write it in your own words and 3rd person voice. ·         Indicate the most significant arguments and details from the body paragraphs. ·         Write a last sentence that “wraps” up your summary; often a simple rephrasing of the main point so that the audience knows exactly where this writing will lead. ·         Include the recommendations of the conclusion of the piece—what the author is telling the audience to do or believe ·         Generally, 150-250 words, unless otherwise specified by your professor or instructions. The length is usually less than 300 words in length. ·         The abstract is contained on its own page without any other content. ·         Generally speaking, an abstract is required unless your professor or instructions explicitly specify otherwise. ·         Center the word “Abstract” on the first line, without quotation marks or bolding.  It is a section title, not heading. ·         On the line under the abstract paragraph, indent 1/2” and insert the word Keywords (italicized as shown), followed by a colon. Then, insert 3-6 of your paper’s keywords (e.g., trauma, attachment), separated by commas.  The keywords themselves should not be italicized. ·         See pp. 25-27 of the APA manual for what information to include in an abstract, and Liberty University’s Writing an Abstract aid.

To see a sample APA paper with an Abstract, you can visit this page: https://fgc-enc1210.blogspot.com/p/apa-sample-paper.html

Content below is part of a larger work available at https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/quotingsources/

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UW-MADISON WRITER’S HANDBOOK

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING

QUOTING AND PARAPHRASING

QUOTING AND PARAPHRASING

Download this Handout PDF

College writing often involves integrating information from published sources into your own writing in order to add credibility and authority–this process is essential to research and the production of new knowledge.

The Hamburger Method AND the Source Sandwich

The Hamburger Method is the basic organization and layout for a body-paragraph; however, within that hamburger, you will integrate sources.  This is where you have little source sandwiches.  

You will need to remember BOTH concepts when structuring your body paragraphs.  

• The Hamburger Method is the organization of the whole body-paragraph, and 
• the Source Sandwich is the little nugget within the hamburger order, where you use sources to defend your argument assertions.

Always use The Hamburger Method and The Source Sandwich.

How to Capitalize My Title

APA

Chicago

MLA

What to Capitalize in a Title

Understanding what to capitalize in a title is important to make sure that your titles and headlines look correct. If you’re confused about what words to capitalize in a title or headline, we recommend using our title capitalization tool above, but if you want specific capitalization rules, they are as follows.