Mla Writing Style

MLA Writing Style
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Making it easy!
Making it easy!

What is it and why is it important?
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Sponsored by the Modern Language Association Used by discipline area Provides consistency in the formatting of a research paper. Provides a uniform way to document the sources used in research (Remember PLAGIARISM!!)

Real life consequences to plagiarism
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Plagiarism can result in failing an assignment or even a class. Plagiarism can result in getting fired from a work situation where you “borrow” written material from someone else. Plagiarism can even result in court cases where the rights holder feels their work has been stolen.

To find info on MLA?
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Consult The Writer’s Brief Handbook, chapter on Document Design (221-33, 4th ed.). Consult the chapter in The Writer’s Brief Handbook on MLA-Style Documentation (329-62, 4th ed.) Consult OCLS web page for further web links:
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http://www.indwes.edu/ocls Click on Links to Resources.

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Consult the authority of MLA: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th ed.

Characteristics of MLA?
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There are two basic parts to MLA that allow you to document your sources used for writing your paper.
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In text citations
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what you do with the information in the body of your paper. how you list your sources at the end of your paper.

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Works Cited
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Example of an in-text citation: 2 methods in MLA (WBH, p.331, ex 1-2)
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When the author is mentioned in your writing, only use the page numbers at the end:
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According to Smith and Jones the MLA writing style is used predominantly in the humanities. (15). NOTE: If there is no author, then use the title.

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When the author is not mentioned in your writing include the author(s) and page numbers at the end:
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“ The MLA writing style is used primarily in the various disciplines of the humanities.” (Smith and Jones 15). NOTE: If there is no author, then use the title.

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