How to use​

MLA 9 Edition
th
 A
Agenda
Introduction

How to Set Up a Word

Document for MLA

In-text Citation Formatting

Creating a Work Cited page

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 Introduction
MLA Style is a common guideline for producing all types of writing and
citing the writer’s source information. It clarifies where the information was
obtained and gives credit to the person who originally documented the
material, idea, or creation the writer is referencing in their work. It gives
validity and authenticity to the writer’s ideas as well as “demonstrating
accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA
style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the
purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material produced by other
writers,” (MLA Formatting).

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How to set up your paper for MLA
Click here to view the video
How to use in-text citations for MLA
 The Basics
Author’
s name
An in-text citation is a brief reference in your In-text Examples:
stated
text that indicates the source you consulted. Direct quote:
Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked
• It should direct readers to the entry in your by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).

works-cited list for that source. Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).
• It should be unobtrusive: provide the citation
information without interrupting your own text. Standard quote
format
• In general, the in-text citation will be the author’s
last name (or abbreviated title) with a page Paraphrase:
Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in
number, enclosed in parentheses. the creative process (263).

Presentation title Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. Oxford UP, 1967.

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 Further in-text examples
Unknown Author:
We see so many global warming hotspots in North
America likely because this region has “more readily
accessible climatic data and more comprehensive
programs to monitor and study environmental
change…” (“Global Warming” 6).
Corresponding work cited entry:
---. "Global Warming Economics." Science, vol.
294, no. 5545, 9 Nov. 2001, pp. 1283-84, DOI:
10.1126/science.1065007.
Presentation title
Two or more works by same author:
When referencing two or more works from
the same author with the same title, extra
information is required to distinguish
between the works. This is presented in
square brackets after the title.
Example:
The first illustrated version (Milton,
Paradise Lost [Tonson]) does not name the
suspected four illustrators that contributed.
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 Further in-text examples
Multiple works by same author:
Lightenor has argued that computers are not useful
tools for small children (“Too Soon” 38), though he
has acknowledged elsewhere that early exposure to
computer games does lead to better small motor skill
development in a child's second and third year
(“Hand-Eye Development” 17).
Each reference should have a shortened title in quote
marks followed by the page number as shown above.
Visual studies, because it is such a new discipline,
may be “too easy” (Elkins, “Visual Studies” 63).
If author’s name isn’t mentioned, then the shortened
title should follow the author’s name as shown above.
Multiple Citations
In-text example:
Romeo and Juliet presents an opposition between
two worlds: “the world of the everyday… and the
world of romance.” Although the two lovers are part
of the world of romance, their language of love
nevertheless becomes “fully responsive to the tang of
actuality” (Zender 138, 141).
When you have two quotes from the same author and
text in the same paragraph, give a single parenthetical
reference as shown above.
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 Further in-text examples
Works in time-based media Sources without page numbers

In-text example: In-text example:

Buffy’s promise that “there’s not going to be any Disability activism should work toward “creating a
incidents like at my old school” is obviously not one habitable space for all beings” (Garland-Thomson).
on which she can follow through (“Hush” 00:03:16-
17).
Corresponding works-cited entry:
Works-cited entry:
“Hush.” Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Joss Garland-Thomson, Rosemarie. “Habitable Worlds.”
Whedon, performance 
Critical Disability Studies Symposium. Feb. 2016, Purdue
by Sarah Michelle Gellar, season 4, episode 10,
Mutant Enemy, 1999. University, Indiana. Address.

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 Further in-text examples
Formatting Quotes Longer than 4 Lines
Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him
throughout her narration:
They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or
even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it
on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on
the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his
voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he
found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as
to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in
recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent
out of the house. (Bronte 78)
Long quotes are five or more lines of text. The entire
quote should be started on a new line and indented
half an inch from the left margin. It should not begin
with quote marks. Font size and style should be the
same as the rest of the paper maintaining the double
spacing.
If your introductory clause requires punctuation, use
a colon (:). The parenthetical citation should come
after the final punctuation mark. See example to the
left.
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How to Create a Work Cited List for MLA
 Not all elements will

The Basics always be available.

Use the available
elements for each
source.
Each entry in the list of works
cited is made up of core elements
given in a specific order.
The core elements should be listed
in the order in which they appear
here. Each element is followed by
e
the punctuation mark shown here. pl
x am
E

Baron, Naomi S. “Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital

Communication Media.” PMLA, vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013,
pp. 193-200.
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 Breaking it Down
Not all
elements are
Titl available
e
Author’s
Name

Baron, Naomi S. “Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication

Media.” PMLA, vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193-200.

Date published

Location
title
Container

Number
Version

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 The Structure of the Page
The work cited page is always at the end of your paper. The Title “Work
Cited” is centered at the top of the page, without underlining, bolding, or
italicizing. It must be the same size and font as the rest of the paper.
Every source you have used/referenced in your paper should be listed in
the work cited. If you do not list a source, it is plagiarism. Entries must be
in alphabetical order. The list of entries must not be numbered, or bullet
pointed.
Each entry will now follow the core element structure listed above. This
includes images, films, television programs, interviews, speeches, etc. It is
no longer required to state the media type at the end of the citation.

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 Works Cited
Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." The New York Times, 22 May 2007,
www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/science/earth/22ander.html?_r=0. Accessed 29 May 2019.
Ebert, Roger. Review of An Inconvenient Truth, directed by Davis Guggenheim. Ebert Digital LLC, 1 June 2006,
www.rogerebert.com/reviews/an-inconvenient-truth-2006. Accessed 15 June 2019.
Gowdy, John. "Avoiding Self-Organized Extinction: Toward a Co-Evolutionary Economics of
Sustainability." International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, vol. 14, no. 1, 2007, pp. 27-
36. Film
An Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Paramount, 2006.
---. "Global Warming Economics." Science, vol. 294, no. 5545, 9 Nov. 2001, pp. 1283-84, DOI:
No
10.1126/science.1065007. author
Regas, Diane. “Three Key Energy Policies That Can Help Us Turn the Corner on Climate.” Environmental Defense
Fund, 1 June 2016, www.edf.org/blog/2016/06/01/3-key-energy-policies-can-help-us-turn-corner-climate. Accessed
19 July 2016.
Shulte, Bret. "Putting a Price on Pollution." US News & World Report, vol. 142, no. 17, 14 May 2007, p.
37. Ebsco, Access no: 24984616.
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Uzawa, Hirofumi. Economic Theory and Global Warming. Cambridge UP, 2003.
 Summary
At ACA we believe in preparing our students for life and further
education. If you have a good grasp of MLA formatting, you will be able
to easily assimilate other formatting models used by the university you
attend. You will also be able to gain significant understanding of the
importance of recognizing the source material you reference as well as
reduce your risk of plagiarizing your work.

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 "MLA Formatting and
Style Guide." The
Thank you Purdue OWL, Purdue
U Writing Lab.
Accessed 18 Jun. 2018.

Mirjam Nilsson​mirjam@contoso.com www.contoso.com