MLA STYLE SHEET

Use of an author’s work without permission is Plagiarism.

Fair Use: Students may use and author’s work without permission if they cite the work properly.

The following departments: English, Early Childhood Education, Industrial Technologies use the

Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, (Latest) Edition.

First and Second Semester Freshmen Composition Students have the MLA manual in their textbooks.

Additional copies are available in the Library at REF 808.27 G35m or on the web @ www.mla.org.

Correct Citation Comes in Pairs: Parenthetical References added to the text of the work, which leads the reader/editor/professor to the Full Citation of each item quoted, paraphrased, or referenced in the student’s work on the works cited pages.

Parenthetical Reference

Parenthetical Reference = (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME   PAGE NUMBER).

Examples, (Smith 42).; (Jones 76).; or (Reid-Smyth 93).

In the text:

                This shows the author’s understanding of Smith’s (42) research on the subject.

                (If the authors name is used in the text, in a sentence, use only the Page Numbers.)

Or            Others feel that the subject should be handled with care (Jones 76).

                (If the authors name is Not used in the text, use both the Author’s Name and Page Numbers.)

Full Citation

Full citation are double spaced and listed in alphabetical order on the last pages of the report/paper. These citations lead the reader/editor/professor to the correct journal/magazine, volume, issue, date and page to check the information, or simply to read the full article to which the student referenced. Correct citations allow the reader/editor/professor to trace back the author’s steps in the research process. [See Manual Number].

Print Examples

Book by One Author: Author’s name {last name first}. Title of Book. Place of Publication: publisher, date. [5.6.1.]

• Woods, Geraldine. Research Papers for Dummies. New York: Hungry Minds, 2002.

Magazine/Journal: Author’s name, if available {Last name first}. “Title of Article.” Title of  Periodical  month and date {or volume number, as appropriate}: pages. [5.7.1.]

• Laanan, Frankie Santos. “Degree Aspirations of Two Year College Students.”

Community College Journal of Research and Practice August 2003:

495-519. {i.e. The Explicator 15.3 (1957): 81-94.}

Newspaper Article: Author’s name, if available {Last name first}. “Title of Article.” Name of Newspaper Date, edition: page {include section}. [5.7.5.]

• Kalita, S. Mitra. “School uses Software to Identify Plagiarism.” Washington Post

18 April 2004 Education 4.

Material in an Anthlogy: Author’s name, if available {last name first}. “Title of Article.” Title of Original Source volume number (Date): Pages Rpt. in Name of Anthology. Ed. editor name. Vol. number. Place of publication: publisher, date. Pages [5.6.7.].

• Cherry, Theresa. “Beware of Drug Sales.” The Composition of Everyday Life:

                A Guide to Writing. Special Edition for Cisco Junior College. Eds. John Mauk

 and John Metz. USA: Thompson/Heinke, 2004. 230.

Electronic Examples: Are Based on Print Citations.

Book by One Author from a Database or Electronic Resource: Author’s name {last name first}. Title of Book. Place of Publication; publisher, date, name of library accessed from, location. Name of service/database, name of the company, accessed date and <URL> of the service’s homepage, if known. [5.6.1.;5.9.3.;5.9.7.]

• Rozakis, Laurie. Schaum’s Quick Guide to Writing Great Research Papers. New York: McGraw-

                        Hill, 1999. Cisco Junior College Lib. Abilene. netlibrary 1 Jan. 2005

<www.netlibrary.com>.

Magazine Journal from a Database or Electronic Resource: EBSCOhost, Literature Reference Center, and others, include the name of the database used (underlined) if known; the name of the company; the library where you accessed the information; the date of access; <URL> of the service’s homepage, if known. [5.7.1.; 5.9.7.]

• Laanan, Frankie Santos. “Degree Aspirations of Two Year College Students.”

Community College Journal of Research and Practice August 27.6(2003):

495-519. Ebscohost: Ebsco. Cisco Junior College Lib. Abilene. 1 Jan. 2005

 <http:web28.epnet.com>.

Newspaper from a Database or Electronic Resource: EBSCOhost, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, and others, include the name of the database used (underlined) if known; the name of the company; the library where you accessed the information; the date of access; <URL> of the service’s homepage, if known. [5.7.5.; 5.9.7.]

• Gall, Carlotta. “Afghan Students are Back: But Not the Old Textbooks” New York Times 27

Dec. 2004, Foreign Desk: A6 Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: Gale. Cisco Junior

College Lib. Abilene. 1 Jan. 2005 <http://galenet.com>. 

Reprinted Material from a Reference Work in a Database or Electronic Resource: EBSCOhost, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, and others, include the name of the database used (underlined) if known; the name of the company; the library where you accessed the information; the date of access; <URL> of the service’s homepage, if known. [5.6.7.; 5.9.7.]

• McGowan, Ian. “Persuasion: Overview.” Reference Guide to English Literature ed.

D. K. Kirkpatrick, New York:St. James Press, 1991. Literature Resource Center, Gale.

Cisco Junior College Lib. Abilene. 1 Jan. 2005 <http://galenet.galegroup.com>.  

Websites: Author {if available}. “Title of Document.” Print Publication if available, Project Title. Editor. Composition date. Host site. Access date <URL>. [5.9.1.]

• Purdue University Online Writing Lab. “Avoiding Plagiarism.” Purdue’s Writing Lab: Online

Writing Lab. adapted from Aaron, Jane E. The Little Brown Essential Handbook for Writers. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Purdue University. 1995-2005. 1 Jan. 2005. <http:owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html>.  

Examples ONLY: Students should check MLA Handbook for specific rules.