Sample essays

Guide To MLA Format Citation

It is important to note that while writing academic papers, citations should be noted as important because in this way you will be able to protect yourself from the accusation of producing plagiarized content. Every time you mention someones ideas or literary figures, you must acknowledge the source directly after the passage in which you have used the information. You must also mention the source in the works cited page. Make sure that you have used complete and accurate parenthetical sources in the main body of the paper.

Let us discuss the basic guidelines of MLA format citation:

In-text Citation:

Enter enough information in the in-text citation so as to make it easy for the reader to find the source in your works cited list. If you have added the author's name and title in the paragraph, do not include the information in the parenthesis. MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. The author's last name and page number should appear in the text from where the quotation or paraphrase has been taken. Rest of the information must appear in the works cited page.

Works Cited Page:

The works cited page must be a separate page. The text of the works cited list must be double-spaced. The works cited list must be in alphabetical order. Make sure that you express your own idea regarding the source when inserting other author's thought. List page numbers of sources efficiently, if you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 225 through 250, list the page numbers on your works cited page as 225-50. In-text citation and complete formatted works cited is important while writing term papers, essays, book reviews etc in MLA format. This systematic information of sources helps the reader to find the source and in this way you will have plagiarism-free work.