Formatting a Research Paper

1. Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA style

2. Principles of IT TEKS Associated with Lesson (7) The student applies word-processing technology. The student is expected to: (A) identify the terminology associated with word-processing software and its functions; (C) edit a variety of text documents using functions such as pagination, appropriate white space, tab settings, and font style, size, and color; (E) apply formatting techniques to a multipage research paper using approved publication standards such as American Psychological Association and Modern Language Association IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

3. Lesson Objectives • Identify the purpose of the Modern Language Association • Identify the steps to apply MLA format • Identify the characteristics of MLA format • Identify functions of word processing software tools associated with research paper format • Apply MLA format to a research paper including quotations and works cited IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

4. Modern Language Association • Purpose of MLA • The object of the association shall be to promote study, criticism, and research in the more and less commonly taught modern languages and their literatures, and to further the common interests of teachers of these subjects. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

5. MLA Publications • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers seventh edition • Step-by-step instructions for formatting a research paper for high school and undergraduate work at college • This format is widely accepted across the world by schools, colleges, universities, literary journals and magazines • MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing third edition • Step-by-step instructions for formatting research documents for graduate level work such as thesis or dissertations • You can purchase the printed version or the electronic version IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

6. MLA Publications • When you purchase the printed version of the handbook, you receive an account code • The account code will allow you to create a user account on their website • The website allows you access to the electronic version • The electronic version contains items and examples that aren’t in the printed version • The electronic version also has a search function for quick, easy locating of the item in question • www.mlahandbook.org IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

7. MLA Research Paper • Select your topic • Obtain writings on this topic • Type a draft of your paper • Decide where you can insert quotations IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

8. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper a) Choose Font Style and Size - this is sometimes given to you by the instructor - if not given by the instructor use Times New Roman size 12 Tip: Hold Ctrl while pressing the A key on the keyboard. This will select all the text of your document which makes formatting quick and easy. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

9. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper b) Left align text c) Tab once at beginning of new paragraph d) Set Page Margins: Top, Bottom, Left and Right margins should be set at 1” IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

10. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper e) Set line spacing to double f) Leave one space after the period at the end of a sentence (unless otherwise noted by the instructor) IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

11. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper g) Create the TitleBlock (1st 5 lines of report) - Start at left of first line - Type your full name - strike enter - Type instructor’s name - strike enter - Type course name - strike enter - Type the date - strike enter IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

12. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper g) Create the Title Block - Type the title (Line #5) Center the title - Do not use bold,italics, or change the font size - Use Title case – not all caps IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

13. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Look up the formatting guidelines in the MLA handbook and apply them to your paper h) Create the Header Your last name a space page number Right aligned ½” below top edge of paper IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

14. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 Format the quotations a) Locate each quote and place quotations marks at beginning and end Add ( ) at end of quote followed by ending punctuation mark Place page number of quote inside the parentheses IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

15. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps (CONTINUED) Format the quotations b) Titles should be italicized: Books Magazines Journals Websites Newspapers Music Albums Movies IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

16. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations c) Titles of articles that appear inside these publications should be inquotation marks: Books Magazines Journals Websites Newspapers Music Albums Movies IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

17. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations d) If a quote takes up more than 4 lines it should be set apart by beginning it on a newline and indenting it from the left margin by 1”. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

18. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations d) If a quote takes up more than 4 lines it should NOT have quotation marks and the punctuation mark should NOT be moved to outside the parentheses. The quotation should be preceded by a colon IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

19. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations e) If quoting a short piece of a poem or lines of lyrics, place in quotationmarks and separate the lines by a slash mark (/) IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

20. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations f) If quoting a long piece of a poem or lines of lyrics (more than 3 lines), it is formatted the same as a long quote IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

21. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations g) If the author of the quote isn’t presented in the text preceding the quote, then add the author’s last name inside the parentheses, before the page number IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

22. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 6 (CONTINUED) Format the quotations h) Using a chart Identification goes below the chart The chart is numbered in sequence A descriptive caption is given IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

23. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps Format the Works Cited Section a) Begin the works cited section on the next page (Hold Ctrl and press Enter to go to the top of next page) Type the title Works Cited Center the title – do not bold or use caps IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

24. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section b) Each entry begins on a new line Each entry begins at the left margin Set the paragraph format to hanging indent IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

25. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section c) Books are formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author. Title of Book. Publication City: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication. Manner in which you viewed the book. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

26. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section c) Books are formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author. Title of Book. Publication City: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication. Manner in which you viewed the book. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

27. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section d) Books with two authors are formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author, and First name of author Last name of author. Title of Book. Publication City: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication. Manner in which you viewed the book. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

28. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section e) Magazine Articles are formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author.“Title of Article.” Name of Magazine Date of the Issue: Page numbers of the article. Manner in which you viewed the article. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

29. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section e) Magazine Articles are formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author.“Title of Article.” Name of Magazine Date of the Issue: Page numbers of the article. Manner in which you viewed the article. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

30. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section f) Poem within a book is formatted using this structure: Last name of author, First name of author. “Title of Poem.” Trans. Name of Translator.Name of Book. Ed. Name of Editor. City of Publication: Publisher, Publication Date.Page numbers of the poem. Manner in which you viewed the article. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

31. MLA Research Paper Formatting Steps 7 (CONTINUED) Format the Works Cited Section g) The final step of the works cited page format is to alphabetize the entries by the first letter of the entry. 8 Submitting Completed work a) place pages in sequential order b) staple or paper clip together in upper left corner IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format

32. Resources • Structure and format rules were taken from the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 7th edition. • ISBN:978-1-60329-024-1 • Published by the Modern Language Association of America • Published in New York, 2009 • All images of the Research Paper on Pit Bulls were provided by Paula Clothier. IT: Principles of IT – Formatting a Research Paper Using MLA Format