As a rule of thumb, students should always record the following information when working with sources:
1) Name of Author 2) Title of Work 3) Year or Date of Publication 4) Publisher 5) Place of Publication
The information required for a proper citation can vary, though, so it’s important to follow the specific model for a given source type. You can find examples of citations and examine sample papers in this portion of the guide.
In MLA, in-text citations can be written in essentially two different ways.
Paraphrasing
Using the Author's Name in a Sentence:
ex. Marten argues that breed specific legislation has not lessened the number of incidents related to dog aggression (76).
Without Using Author's Name in a Sentence:
ex. Breed specific legislation has not lessened the number of incidents related to dog aggression (Marten 76).
Quoting
Quotations should always be preceded by a tag or signal phrase that introduces readers to quoted material.
Using the Author's Name in a Sentence:
ex. According to Marten, such "fears and fundamental misunderstandings have led to a culture where genocide appears acceptable" (78).
Without Using Author's Name in a Sentence:
ex. Over the past several decades, these "fears and fundamental misunderstandings have led to a culture where genocide appears acceptable" (Marten 78).
Long quotations (four words or more) should be presented as a block of text. The block of text should not be enclosed in quotation marks, as it is designated as a quote by virtue of the block format.
ex. Marten makes the following conclusion:
In the end, the unfounded, stereotypical assumptions driving breed
specific legislation cause considerably more harm than good. These
laws have proven to be wrong-headed and roundly ineffectual when
it comes to preventing incidents tied to canine aggression. They have
also proven to be nothing short of cruel by stripping families of their
well-behaved companions and destroying those same companions
without just consideration. (82)
Print Book, Single Author
McLuhan, Marshall. Understanding the Media: The Extensions of Man. Boston: MIT Press, 1994. Print.
Print Book, Multiple Authors
Davidson, William R., Daniel J. Sweeney, and Ronald W. Stampfl. Retailing Management. 6th ed. New
York: Wiley, 1988. Print.
Print Book, Corporation or Organization as Author
American Medical Association. American Medical Association Book of Heartcare. New York: Random
House, 1982. Print.
Electronic Book/ Electronic Version of Print Book
Kanneh, Kadiatu. African Identities: Race, Nation and Culture in Ethnography, Pan-Africanism
and Black Literatures. London: Routledge, 1998. ebrary. Web. 5 Sept. 2012.
Print Book with Editor
Niatum, Duane, ed. Harper's Anthology of Twentieth Century Native American Poetry. New York:
HarperOne,1988. Print.
Work in an Edited Print Book
Shutte, Nancy, and Laura Tangley. "Problem Drinkers Can Learn Moderation." Addiction: Opposing
Viewpoints. Ed. Jennifer A. Hurley. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2000. 93-100. Print.
Entry in a Print Reference Work
“Automobile Service Technicians.” Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. 15th ed.
Vol. 2. New York: Ferguson-Infobase, 2011. Print.
Print Journal Article, Single Author
Swedin, Eric G. “Designing Babies: A Eugenics Race with China?”The Futurist May/June 2006: 18-21.
Print.
Print Journal Article, Multiple Authors
Paterson, Bill, and Ted Thorne. “Enhancing the Evaluation of Nursing Care Effectiveness.” Canadian
Journal of Nursing Research 35.3 (2003): 26-38. Print.
Electronic Journal Article, Multiple Authors
Otgaar, Henry, Ingrid Candel, Harald Merckelbach, and Kimberley A. Wade. "Abducted by a UFO:
Prevalence Information Affects Young Children's False Memories for an Implausible Event."
Applied Cognitive Psychology 3.1 (2009): 115-125. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Collection. Web. 12 Sept. 2012.
Print Newspaper Article, Single Author
Borgelt, Allison. "Sealed with a Kiss." BG News 17 June 2009: 1+. Print.
Electronic Newspaper Article, Single Author
Buescher, James. "Animal Magnetism: 'Jungle Jack' Hanna Brings His Critters to AMT." Sunday News
[Lancaster, Pennsylvania] 22 Mar. 2009: H1+. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 12 Sept. 2012.
Website
Eaves, Morris, Robert Essick, and Joseph Viscomi, eds. The William Blake Archive. Lib. of Cong.,
8 May 2008. Web. 15 May 2008.
Sound Recording
Radiohead. "Separator." The King of Limbs. TBD Records, 2011. CD.
DVD
Mardi Gras: Made in China. Dir. David Redmon. Carnivalesque Films, 2008. DVD.
