Analysis on MLA Citations

Analysis on MLA Citations

Professors often expect students to use certain formats and conventions when writing academic research papers. There are several different ways to format a paper, but most require and follow the guidelines established by the Modern Language Association (MLA). It is commonly used to cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities (Purdue). Learning how to format a citation within a research paper is a very important skill for success in college, it can mean the difference between a successful and ill conceived paper. By analyzing the rules and processes for creating a proper and effective work cited page can create a better understanding and a reference point for new writers.

When writing in MLA Style, one is required to refer to the work of others in their own text. It can be done by using parenthetical citation, it is defined as a source that happens to be quoted in an essay coming after a quote or paraphrase. It is important to know that within in text citation must correspond with the sources cited within a work cited page. When writing in MLA format follow the author page method of in-text citation (Purdue). Add the authors last name and page numbers from where you can find the information in the source, it tells the reader where that specific information ins found. For Print sources like books, magazines, scholarly journal articles, and newspapers, provide a signal word or phrase and a page number. When a source has a unknown author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name (Purdue). It seems now that students are finding scholarly information on the internet and there is a need to know how to cite research found on the world wide web. Students have to be very careful wh...

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...o them. There is no need to to cite basic facts that is common knowledge to everyone, but books and ideas need to be attributed to the writer (Works). Students must cite their sources even if you summarize or paraphrased, not only if using a direct quote. By analyzing the rules and processes for creating a proper and effective work cited page can create a better understanding and reference point for new writers. Creating a strong paper can be difficult, the citation is can make it easier to create a backbone and substance to the paper.

Works Cited

"Citation Management." MLA Citation Style. Cornell University Library, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.

"Welcome to the Purdue OWL." Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide. Purdue University, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

"Works Cited Tips Using MLA Style." Works Cited Tips. Hanover Park High School, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.