MLA Reference
Below is a brief summary of how to use MLA format. Full details can be found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/11/
REMEMBER THE THREE RULES TO AVOID PLAGIARISM
IN-TEXT CITATION
You should use in-text citation whenever you are using someone’s ideas or words. In-text citation simply means that you cite your source within the text. This is done by putting a parenthesis after the line(s) of their ideas, whether quoted or paraphrased.
WHEN TO USE IN-TEXT CITATION:
1. When you directly quote a work.
2. When you summarize an author’s ideas.
3. If you are going to switch to a new author’s ideas or facts, make sure to cite where the first sentence(s) came from.
4. If you are using someone’s opinion on a subject matter.
5. Any controversial statement.
6. Any statistic (that is not “general knowledge”)
HOW TO CITE: Punctuation after parenthesis!
FOR BOOKS (Last Name Page #)
This is a sample sentence for a book (Patrick 187).
FOR WEBSITES (Last Name)
This is a sample sentence for a website (Patrick).
FOR WEBSITES WITH NO AUTHOR (“Title shortened to first three words”) Make sure it would be clear in Works Cited.
This is a sample sentence for a website with no author (“Man Bites Dog”).
FOR QUOTING SOMEONE INSIDE SOMEONE ELSE’S WEBSITE
As Matt Patrick said, “Try to find the original source”(qtd. In “Man Bites Dog”).
REMEMBER THE THREE RULES TO AVOID PLAGIARISM
- When in doubt, cite.
- If they are not your ideas or words, cite.
- Never use copy and paste.
IN-TEXT CITATION
You should use in-text citation whenever you are using someone’s ideas or words. In-text citation simply means that you cite your source within the text. This is done by putting a parenthesis after the line(s) of their ideas, whether quoted or paraphrased.
WHEN TO USE IN-TEXT CITATION:
1. When you directly quote a work.
2. When you summarize an author’s ideas.
3. If you are going to switch to a new author’s ideas or facts, make sure to cite where the first sentence(s) came from.
4. If you are using someone’s opinion on a subject matter.
5. Any controversial statement.
6. Any statistic (that is not “general knowledge”)
HOW TO CITE: Punctuation after parenthesis!
FOR BOOKS (Last Name Page #)
This is a sample sentence for a book (Patrick 187).
FOR WEBSITES (Last Name)
This is a sample sentence for a website (Patrick).
FOR WEBSITES WITH NO AUTHOR (“Title shortened to first three words”) Make sure it would be clear in Works Cited.
This is a sample sentence for a website with no author (“Man Bites Dog”).
FOR QUOTING SOMEONE INSIDE SOMEONE ELSE’S WEBSITE
As Matt Patrick said, “Try to find the original source”(qtd. In “Man Bites Dog”).