ABE 69: HS 21+ Fine Art: MLA style

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. The citation "in text," letting your readers know when an idea comes from someone other than yourself within the text of your paper (see these examples). 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!).
    
2. The separate "Works Cited" page where you will list complete information about each of those sources, which comes at the end of your paper (see these examples).

Most English and humanities courses use the MLA style of citation.

The following is an example of how to do an MLA style in-text citation and corresponding Works Cited list citation for a journal article from a library database.

In-text citation

Using a signal phrase

The first time you introduce a source within the body your paper, it is generally preferred that you use a signal phrase (and many instructors require that you do so). A signal phrase introduces a source and "signals" to your reader that the material to follow comes from someone other than yourself. The signal phrase in the example below is "According to Roberts." After the quote, list the page number in parentheses.

According to Roberts, "the expanding popularity of tattoos seems to be based on the fact that these can serve various purposes for different individuals. Some use them as a fashion tool whereas others use them as a method of identity formation, such as commemorating a lost loved one or representing one's neighborhood" (163).

Alternative to using a signal phrase

If you do not use a signal phrase, then you would put the author’s last name in parentheses along with the page number after the quote. Use no punctuation between the name and the page number. For example: 

"The expanding popularity of tattoos seems to be based on the fact that these can serve various purposes for different individuals. Some use them as a fashion tool whereas others use them as a method of identity formation, such as commemorating a lost loved one or representing one's neighborhood" (Roberts 163).

Works Cited list entry

List the complete citation information for the source listed in your in-text citation in the Works Cited list at the end of your paper.

Format

Author's name (last name, first name). "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, year, page numbers (preceded by a "pp."), Database, URL.

Example

Roberts, Derek J. "Secret Ink: Tattoo's Place in Contemporary American Culture." The Journal of American Culture, vol. 35, no. 2, 2012, pp. 153-165, ProQuest, https://search-proquest-com.tacomacc.idm.oclc.org/docview/1023829274?accountid=36202.

MLA style handouts 

Here are some handouts (in both .docx and .pdf formats) featuring examples of citations for sources you might find through TCC's Library and the Web. This first handout is for the full works cited page. 

Works Cited

In-text citations

Citing social media

Purdue OWL guides for MLA style 

How to create in-text MLA citations 

The following short video (3:35 mins) provides detailed instructions on citing in text in MLA style. One term you will hear in the video is "signal phrase." Here is a brief definition if you are unfamiliar with this term:

A signal phrase:

• Is used when citing a source within the body of your text.
• It introduces a source and "signals" to your reader that the material to follow comes from someone other than yourself.

For example: 

James Fenimore Cooper states that "he who has travelled far and seen much is apt to fancy that he has lived long" (1).

• In the example above, "James Fenimore Cooper states" is the  signal phrase (note the page number in parentheses, where the quoted material came from in the source.