MLA (Modern Language Association) format is usually required for English and Humanities essays. Formatting a paper in this style involves three things:
- The way the entire paper is formatted (including margins and headings)
- A bibliography (called a Works Cited page)
- In-text parenthetical citations
In-text citations basically let readers know where the writer obtained the information in the essay (whether it's a direct quotation or in the writer's own words). If the reader wants more information about the source, he only needs to turn to the Works Cited page and find the source. But how does the writer create the in-text citations?
Integrating Sources Into the Essay
To actually integrate sources into an essay, the writer must reference one of her sources. She can do so in several ways. She can either directly quote her source, or she can put the information in her own words, using a signal phrase to introduce the information. Both ways usually involve a parenthetical reference as well.
A direct quotation might look like this:
- "She was making excuses for him, telling Randi that he really was a good man, just had a hard time controlling his temper. He needed some time to cool off. Randi saw the scar on her cheek and her neck" (Downing 70).
The writer quoted something directly from a source by the original writer named Downing on page 70 of the source. Quoting can also use a signal phrase, but signal phrases are also used with paraphrases or summaries of information, put into the essay writer's own words, like this:
- Downing's character Randi spends time at a woman's shelter and decides to leave her abusive relationship after talking with another woman who thinks the man beating her is a good man who loves her (70-71).
Parenthetical Information and Connection to the Works Cited Page
The information following the quote or summary must let the reader know where to find the information in the Works Cited page. A signal phrase can do the same job. Either way, most often this information will contain an author's name. In the case of an unknown author, the citation or signal will usually give a title. And, in the case of print sources, the citation will also give the reader the page number within the source where the referenced information can be found.
Using the above examples, if a reader wanted to find out more about the source, he would turn to the Works Cited page, which is organized in alphabetical order. He would go down the list to find Downing. There should only be one "Downing" in the list; otherwise, the parenthetical citation would have made the distinction between all the authors.
When he finds the author in the Works Cited list, he will also find all the other relevant information these citations must contain, specifically these things: Author name, title of work, publication city, publisher name, date, and medium (if the source is a book; other sources contain different - although similar - information).
Thus, the in-text citation and Works Cited reference go together. Basically, the Works Cited list lets a reader know where the writer got the information. The reader can then turn to the original source, should he so choose.
The Importance of Citing Sources
Citing sources, and citing them correctly, establishes the credibility of the writer, whether he is in high school, college, or writes freelance work. Citing sources lets the reader know that the writer has done her research and has worked with credible sources. She lets her readers know that she has read and understands authorities on her topic. It also allows her readers to do further research of their own by turning to the writer's original sources. Citing sources improperly reflects poorly on the writer, but sources cited correctly lets readers enjoy the words of the writer without distraction.
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
