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Writing Research – MLA

The Modern Languages Association’s research style is often used in English and humanities classes because of its emphasis on author name and a page number from the source itself. 
 
Paper Format
MLA’s format is very streamlined.  It does not typically require a title page (though if your instructor asks for a title page, provide one).  Instead, all the necessary information is listed on the first page of the paper, flush left, at the top. 
 
Every page has your last name and a page number in the header, flush right. 
 
The title is centered on the first page, and your introduction begins immediately below the title. 
 
Everything is double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman is always a good choice).
 
Link to sample paper
 
 
In-text Citations
In the body of your paper, you must let your reader know any time you use material from an outside source.  You do this by using citations.  In MLA format, the citations are in parentheses at the end of the sentence where the source material is used.  The parentheses contain the author’s name and the page number of the material. 
 
Example
 
If you choose to, you can mention the author’s name in the text of the sentence where you use his or her material.  This is a good way to integrate source material because it makes it easy on the reader to see where the ideas or words of another person begin.  If you use the author’s name in the sentence, the parentheses at the end of the sentence only needs the page number.
 
Example
 
Works Cited
At the end of every research paper, you must provide your reader with a list of all the sources you used to create that paper.  In MLA style, that list is called your Works Cited.  It is on its own page at the end of the paper, double-spaced, with the words Works Cited centered at the top.  The list is alphabetized by the first word in the entry (typically the author’s last name).  The Works Cited list uses the hanging indent, meaning that the first line of each entry is flush left and subsequent lines are indented once. 
 
In an MLA Works Cited, you also include the medium by which you used the source.  If you had the source physically in your hands, you indicate Print.  If you viewed it on the internet or via computer, you indicate Web. 
 
The basic format for a source’s entry on the Works Cited page follows that of a book with one author:
Last name, First name.  Title of Book.  City: Publisher, Year. Medium.   
 
Brown, John.  The Best Book Ever Written. New York: Harper, 2012.  Print.
 
All other types of sources – magazine articles, journal articles, movies, etc. – follow that basic format with some modifications as needed. 
 
Link to dianahacker.com

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