Writing With MLA

1. Writing With MLA How to properly write a paper using MLA format

2. You should indent the first line of each paragraph and double-space your paper. HOW YOUR PAPER SHOULD LOOK Your paper should be on regular white paper with 1 ½ in. margins on all sides and numbered pages. Your name, the course, and the due date should be typed on the upper left-hand corner. The entire document should be in Times New Roman 12-pt. font.

3. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE… Mrs. Smith Honors World Literature April 20th, 2012 The Use of the Story of Narcissus As an Allusion in Literature

4. You should have a citation on your works cited page for each of the three sources you cite in your paper. http://www.easybib.com/ http://www.makecitation.com/5.php http://www.bibme.org/ YOUR WORKS CITED PAGE

5. Your Works Cited page should be in the same format as your paper. The title “Works Cited” should be in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Choose the “hanging indent” option from Word’s “Paragraph” toolbar and implement it on this page only! Your cited works should be listed alphabetically by author’s last name. Remember, Wikipedia is not a valid source! YOUR WORKS CITED PAGE

6. WORKS CITED PAGES IN MICROSOFT WORD 2007 OR NEWER If you have Microsoft Word 2007 or newer, your entire Works Cited page (and your in-text citations) can be managed in the “References” tab. Reference Word help for further instruction in this helpful little tool.

7. When you use information in your paper that you got from one of your sources, you have to use what is called an “in-text citation” or “parenthetical documentation.” The necessary information is the author’s last name and the page number where you found that particular piece of info. After your quotation or borrowed material and before the period, insert parenthesis with the necessary information inside. IN-TEXT CITATIONS

8. HERE’S AN EXAMPLE… Narcissus is the story of a young man who was so in love with himself that he could not see past the end of his nose (Smith 4).

9. AVOIDING PLAGIARISM It is okay to use someone else’s ideas, just make sure you give them credit! Plagiarizing is not necessarily just copying and pasting, but doing so without giving someone recognition for their work. Make sure you avoid plagiarism at all costs. If you are in doubt, cite the info! Plagiarism will earn you a zero for the assignment and a visit to an administrator’s office. Do not put your teacher in that position!

10. YOUR CITATION PRACTICE IN GROUPS Each group will get a Citation Card and a Parenthetical Card. Find the information on the back of the card using the resources in the classroom. Once you find your information, add it to the Word document Mrs. Smith has opened on the laptop at the front of the room. Make sure you follow all MLA instructions!