MLA Format for Research Writing

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MLA Format for Research Writing

• Yes, its boring, but youve GOT to know it!!!!!!!

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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

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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)

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Are You Confused Yet?
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Main Element 1 First Page Formatting Necessities

• Header (top right--last name and page number)
• Heading (top left--Your Name, Teachers Name,
  Course Name, Date)
• Title (no special formatting besides being
  centered)
• Double-spaced throughout

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Lets 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?

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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

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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?

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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

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Parenthetical Citation, continued

• General format is (Author last name and page ).
• When no author is given, or page numbers do not
  exist (as is the case for web sites), use the
  first item of information listed in your Works
  Cited entry for that source for your
  parenthetical citation
• Citations should appear at the end of the
  sentence where you have included info. from an
  outside source

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Lets 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?

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Were Almost Finished..

• Do you have any remaining questions?????

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In Conclusion

• You will be expected to apply MLA Style Format to
  every formal essay you write from now on.

OR ELSE!!!!!