MLA Format for Essays & Research Writing

1. MLA Format for Essays & Research Writing Yes, it’s boring, but you’ve GOT to know it!!!!!!!

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Are You Confused Yet?

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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

8. Works Cited Entry Format: Book Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Example: Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House. Denver: MacMurray, 1999. Print.

9. Works Cited Entry Format: Website Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). “Name of Specific Page.” Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access. *Use n.p. to indicate that neither a publisher nor a sponsor name has been provided. Use n.d. when the Web page does not provide a publication date. Example: "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow.com. eHow, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

10. Works CitedEntry Format: Interview Lastname, First name of person interviewed. Personal interview. Date of interview. Example: Purdue, Pete. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2010.

11. 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?

12. 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

13. Parenthetical Citation, continued • General format is (Author last name and page #). • Citations should appear at the end of the sentence where you have included info. from an outside source

14. Let’s Practice Parenthetical Citation! • What would be the proper way to use parenthetical citation a piece of evidence you can find that relates to you claim? • Write it on your draft be checked for clarity.

15. 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?

16. We’re Almost Finished….. • Do you have any remaining questions?????

17. In Conclusion… • You will be expected to apply MLA Style Format to every formal essay you write from now on…. OR ELSE!!!!!