This document provides an overview of MLA documentation style, including how to format papers, cite sources in-text, and create a works cited page. Key aspects covered are setting up 1-inch margins and double spacing, how to cite different source types like books, periodicals, and web pages, using block quotations, and acknowledging sources to avoid plagiarism. Tools for citing sources like the MLA Handbook and library resources are also mentioned.

1. Understanding MLA Documentation Style

2. In this workshop you will learn: What is MLA Documentation Style How to write a citation in MLA How to cite sources and create your works cited page How to use available tools

3. What is MLA Style Format? The Paper Format Punctuation and Quotations Documentation of Sources and Works Cited Page

4. Why Is MLA format used? Give your readers a reference to your sources Acknowledge your academic debt Avoid Plagiarism

5. MLA Format Basics Paper Format 1-Inch margins on all sides Double spaced Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)

6. MLA 1 st Page Example

7. How to write a citation in MLA style Using books (hint: copy the title page of the book) This is an example of a basic book with one author: Berlage, Gai Ingham. Women in Baseball: The Forgotten History. Westport: Greenwood, 1994. For more examples see MLA Handbook 5.6.1

8. Using periodicals This is an example of a periodical from a database: Madison, Gray. “Jobs Decline for Black Men Without a College Education.” Crisis Sept.-Oct. 2006: 9. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Florida Keys Community Coll. Lib., Key West. 30 Mar. 2007 <http?//search.ebscohost.com>.

9. Using a Web Page This is an example of a web page: Karper, Erin. “Creating a Thesis Statement.” The OWL at Purdue. Purdue University. 28 Sept. 2006. 30 Mar. 2007 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/.

10. Works Cited Page Start a new page Title it Works Cited in the center of the page Arrange entries in alphabetical order First line of each entry beings at the left margin, indent additional lines ½ inch (5 spaces) This is called hanging indention

11. Works Cited Example

12. Quotations When using someone else’s words, you are quoting them. Example: Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, “Easy reading is damned hard writing.”

13. Block Quotations When using a quotation longer than 4-lines, put into a block quote No quotation marks needed Start a new line Indent 1-inch margin

14. Block Quotation Example

15. Citing Your Sources Whenever you use somebody else’s ideas in your research paper, you must cite your sources: 1. Acknowledging the source in the text of your paper (in text documentation) 2. Giving the complete source citation in your works cited page.

16. When in doubt, cite your source! Quoting Summarizing Paraphrasing

17. Tools available at FKCC Your Librarian  Your Instructor Books at the Library: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (located at the desk) FKCC Website http://www.fkcc.edu/links/library/ Go to Citation Guides

18. Sources used for this workshop Research OnLine http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/library/infolit-ol/mlasl/ A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker 6 th Ed. http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/writersref6e/Player/Pages/Main.aspx Library Spot dictionary of quotations http://www.quotationreference.com/quotefinder.php MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 6 th Ed.