2. What is the MLA?
style sheet format in place since 1951
usually used for academic arts & languages
papers
3. Why are we learning this?
If you are going to College or
University and taking a course for
which you will have to do research
or write an essay, you need to
know the appropriate style format
for your work!
4. What is “style”?
When we talk about MLA “Style,”
we mean “Editorial Style”:
The rules or guidelines for the
presentation of the printed word.
5. Style & Format
M o d e r n L a n g u a g e A s s o c ia t io n
Your E ssay
P age C it a t io n
F o rm a t
In -T e x t W o r k s C it e d
8. MLA Style:
Citation -- What to Cite
Books, Encyclopaedias & Dictionaries
Newspapers, Periodicals, Magazines,
Journals
Web Pages & Online Databases
E-mail, Twitter, Facebook
Audio/Visual Items (Music, Pictures, Film...)
Live Lectures & Interviews
(Any source of words, ideas, or representations
that are not your own!)
9. MLA Style:
“In Text” Citation
Use parentheses () for in-text reference
References clearly refer to specific
sources in the “Works Cited” list
Identify the location of borrowed
information as clearly as possible
Keep parenthetical references as brief as
possible
10. MLA Style:
In Text Rules & Examples
Author’s name in text; volume / page / line information
(if appropriate) in parentheses:
Murray claims that food is good for you (89).
Author’s name, and volume / page / line information (if
appropriate) in parenthesis:
There are many reasons why food is good for you (Murray 89).
Full reference in text; no parentheses necessary:
Murray, on page 89 of her book, explains how food is good for you.
12. MLA Style:
Works Cited Page Entries
Three main types of entry:
1.Periodical Print Publications (magazines,
journals, newspapers)
2.Nonperiodical Print Publications (books,
encyclopaedias)
3.Web Publications (Internet sites, databases)
13. Periodical Print Publications:
Each entry should have the following
information, as available, in this order:
Author name -- Surname, Given.
“Article title.”
Name of the Periodical.
Series no. Volume no. Issue no.
Date of publication.
Inclusive page numbers.
Medium of publication: Print.
14. Nonperiodical Print Publications:
Each entry should have the following
information, as available, in this order:
Author (editor, compiler, translator) name --
Surname, Given.
Title of Work.
Edition used.
Number(s) of volume(s) used.
Place of Publication: Publisher, Date.
Medium of publication: Print.
15. Web Publications:
Each entry should have the following
information, as available, in this order:
Author (editor, compiler, translator) name --
Surname, Given.
Title of Work / Overall Web Site.
Version or Edition used.
Publisher or Sponsor of the site.
Date of publication: Day, Month, Year.
Medium of publication: Web.
Date of access: Day, Month, Year.
16. MLA Style:
Works Cited Page Sample Entries
Thomson 16
Works Cited
Alberts, John. The Fine Art of Eating. 3rd Ed. London: Smith & Sons, 2008. Print.
Murray, Susan. “Turned On to Nutrition.” Fantastic Foods Monthly. Vol.7, Issue
3. 13 November 2010. 88-91. Print.
Supper is Super. Cable News Network. 29 November 2010. Web. 30 November
2010.
17. Style is Important!
University and College professors may not
accept papers formatted in an inadequate style,
or you may loose many marks
Be sure to check your style using the most recent
approved style guide...
18. Works Cited
(and available @ your library):
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. 7th Ed. New York: MLA, 2009. Print.
www.mlahandbook.org
• E-mail: thomsonro@hdsb.ca
• Password: ecdhs