Argument and Research

What Is MLA?

MLA is:

• A style manual published by the Modern Language Association
• Used in English and the humanities
• Governs how we format our papers and ensures consistency
• Includes elements such as:
  • selection of headings, tone, and length;
  • punctuation and abbreviations;
  • presentation of numbers and statistics;
  • construction of tables and figures,
  • citation of sources both in-text and in a Works Cited page;
  • and many other elements that are a part of a manuscript.

After you gather information from outside resources to add to your own ideas about a topic, you will quote, paraphrase, or summarize those sources within the body of your paper. 

Citing allows you to share with your readers where you got your information so that they can verify what you've written or follow up on an interesting idea, and it protects you from any charges of plagiarism.​

There Are Two Parts to a Proper MLA Citation

1. In-text citation

The citation "in text," letting your readers know when an idea comes from someone other than yourself within the text of your paper. Remember you must always cite when borrowing another author's words or ideas. That is true not only when you quote directly from another author's works but also when you paraphrase or summarize (i.e. EVEN if you put it in your own words you need to cite it!).

Example using a signal phrase:

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If you do not use a signal phrase to introduce the author then you would put the author’s last name in parentheses along with the page number. Use no punctuation between the name and the page number.

Example without using a signal phrase:

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2. Citation in a "Works Cited" page

The separate "Works Cited" page where you will list complete information about each of those sources, which comes at the end of your paper.

For example:

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More Examples

For more examples and help with citations, you can also click on the "Get Help Creating Citations" tab in this content box.

What is APA style?

APA is:

• A style manual published by the American Psychological Association
• Used in the sciences and social sciences
• Governs how we format our papers and ensures consistency
• Includes elements such as:
  • selection of headings, tone, and length;
  • punctuation and abbreviations;
  • presentation of numbers and statistics;
  • construction of tables and figures,
  • citation of references;
  • and many other elements that are a part of a manuscript.
     

Official definition of APA style from the American Psychological Association:

There Are Two Parts to a Proper APA Citation

1. In-text citation

The "in-text citation" -- called this because it occurs in the text of your paper -- lets your readers know when an idea comes from someone other than yourself within the text of your paper.

Below is an example of using a signal phrase to introduce the author. Please note that many instructors prefer the use of a signal phrase, but there's no harm in asking your instructors about what they prefer.

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If the author is not named in a signal phrase, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation, summary, or paraphrase.

For example: 

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See below for more examples of in-text citations:

2. ---

   Separate "References" page

The "References" list goes on a separate page, where you will list complete information about each of those sources, which comes at the end of your paper.

For example:

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See below for more info about an APA references list:

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as using others’ original ideas in one’s written or spoken work without giving proper credit. It includes, but is not limited to, the inclusion of someone else's words, ideas or data as one's own work. 

Plagiarism can occur in two ways: intentional and unintentional.

Intentional Plagiarism

You may intentionally plagiarize in many ways, such as: 

• Turning in someone else’s work as your own
• Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
• Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether giving credit or not
• Using essays that you have written for previous classes (whether in part or in full) for a current class. "Recycling" your own material, believe it or not, is a form academic dishonesty

Unintentional Plagiarism

You may unintentionally plagiarize when: 

• Trying in good faith to document your academic work, but failing to do so accurately and/or thoroughly
• Plagiarism and documentation have not been addressed in a student's academic coursework and the student is unprepared for college academic writing or speaking.

The Bottom Line:

When in doubt, cite it! You must carefully indicate which parts of your paper or speech come from an outside source by using proper in-text citations and full references. Simply listing the sources you used at the end of your paper is not enough to avoid charges of plagiarism. 

Video Tutorial: How to Avoid Plagiarism:

Please watch the short video below -- pay careful attention to the section about paraphrasing.

TCC Handouts and Guides

MLA Works Cited

MLA In-Text Citations

APA References

APA In-Text Citations

The Purdue OWL Websites

Official Citation Style Handbooks