ADA ALC

MLA 2009Formatting and Style

Guide

Overview

This presentation will cover: 2009 updates to MLA General MLA guidelines First page format Section headings In-text citations Formatting quotations Works Cited page

What is MLA?

MLA (Modern Language Association) style formatting is often used in various Humanities disciplines

What does MLA regulate?

MLA regulates:

Document FormatIn-text citationsWorks Cited

(a list of all sources

used in the paper)

MLA Update 2009

2009 changes in MLA:No more Underlining

(only use italics)Publication Medium

(e.g. Print, Web, etc.)New Abbreviations

(e.g. “N.p.” for “no

publisher given”)

Your Instructor Knows Best

#1 Rule for any formatting style:

AlwaysFollow your instructor’s

guidelines

Format: General Guidelines Type on white 8.5” x 11” paper

Double-space everything!

Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font

Leave only one space after punctuation

Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides

Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch (5 spaces….not 1 Tab)

Format: General Guidelines (continued)

Header with page numbers in the upper right corner

(12 pt. TNR font)

Use italics for titles

Endnotes go on a separate page before your Works

Cited page

Format: General Guidelines (continued)

Header with page numbers in the upper right corner

(12 pt. TNR font)

Use italics for titles

Endnotes go on a separate page before your Works

Cited page

Formatting the 1st Page

Title page information included on the 1st page as well as the

title page. Double space everythingIn the upper left corner of the 1st page, list your

name, your instructor's name, the course, and dateCenter the paper title (use standard caps but no

underlining, italics, quote, or bold)Create a header in the upper right corner at half

inch from the top and one inch from the right of the

page (include your last name and page number)

Sample 1st Page

Sample 1st Page

In-Text Citations: the Basics MLA uses parenthetical citations

Parenthetical citations depend on the medium

(e.g. Print, Web, DVD)

Parenthetical citations also depend on the source’s

entry on the Works Cited page (see next slide)

Signal word in the text is the first thing in the

corresponding entry on the Works Cited page

Author-Page StyleIn-text Example:Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow

of powerful feelings" (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful

feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. London: Oxford

U.P., 1967. Print.

Print Source with AuthorIn-text Example:

Human beings have been described by Kenneth Burke as

"symbol-using animals" (3).

Human beings have been described as "symbol-using

animals" (Burke 3).

Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

Burke, Kenneth. Language as Symbolic Action: Essays

on Life, Literature, and Method. Berkeley: U of

California P, 1966. Print.

With Unknown Author (Websites)In-text Example:

We see so many global warming hotspots in North America

likely because this region has “more readily accessible

climatic data and more comprehensive programs to monitor

and study environmental change . . .” (“Impact of Global

Warming” 6).Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

“The Impact of Global Warming in North America.”

GLOBAL WARMING: Early Signs. 1999. Web. 23 Mar.

2009.

Other In-Text Citations 1

Classic & Literary Works with Multiple Editions

In-text Example:

Marx and Engels described human history as marked by class

struggles (79; ch. 1).

Authors with Same Last Names

In-text Example:

Although some medical ethicists claim that cloning will lead to

designer children (R. Miller 12), others note that the advantages for

medical research outweigh this consideration (A. Miller 46).

Other In-Text Citations 2

Work by Multiple Authors writing one book/novel/article/ect.

In-text Examples:

Smith, Yang, and Moore argue that tougher gun control is not needed in

the United States (76).

The authors state "Tighter gun control in the United States erodes Second

Amendment rights" (Smith, Yang, and Moore 76).

Jones et al. counter Smith, Yang, and Moore's argument by noting the

current spike in gun violence in America compels law makers to adjust

gun laws (4).

Other In-Text Citations 3Multiple Works by the Same Author

In-text Examples:

Lightenor has argued that computers are not useful tools for

small children ("Too Soon" 38), though he has acknowledged

elsewhere that early exposure to computer games does lead to

better small motor skill development in a child's second and

third year ("Hand-Eye Development" 17).

Visual studies, because it is such a new discipline, may be "too

easy" (Elkins, "Visual Studies" 63).

Other In-Text Citations 4

Miscellaneous Non-Print Sources

In-text Example:

Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo stars Herzog's long-time film

partner, Klaus Kinski. During the shooting of Fitzcarraldo,

Herzog and Kinski were often at odds, but their explosive

relationship fostered a memorable and influential film.

Corresponding Works Cited Entry:

Herzog, Werner, dir. Fitzcarraldo. Perf. Klaus Kinski.

Filmverlag der Autoren, 1982. Film.

Formatting Long QuotationsIn-text Example:

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her

narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

Adding/Omitting WordsIn-text Example for Adding Words:

Jan Harold Brunvand, in an essay on urban legends, states:

"some individuals [who retell urban legends] make a point

of learning every rumor or tale" (78).

In-text example for Omitting Words:

In an essay on urban legends, Jan Harold Brunvand notes

that "some individuals make a point of learning every

recent rumor or tale . . . and in a short time a lively

exchange of details occurs" (78).

Works Cited Page: BooksBasic Format:Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

Examples:Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New York: Penguin, 1987. Print.Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring. Boston: Allyn, 2000. Print.Palmer, William J. Dickens and New Historicism. New York: St. Martin's, 1997. Print.---. The Films of the Eighties: A Social History. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 1993. Print.

Works Cited Page: Web

Web Source Format:

Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). “Article

Name.” Name of Site. Version number. Name of

institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor

or publisher). Date of last update. Medium of publication.

Date of access.

Examples:

Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web.”

A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites. A

List Apart Mag., 16 Aug. 2002. Web. 4 May 2009.

Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical Theory.

Purdue U, 28 Nov. 2003. Web. 10 May 2006.

"How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow.com. eHow,

n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

Works Cited Page: Web

Works Cited Page: PeriodicalsArticle in a Magazine Format:Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Medium of publication.Example:Buchman, Dana. "A Special Education." Good Housekeeping Mar. 2006: 143-8. Print.

Article in Scholarly Journal Format:Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume.Issue (Year): pages. Medium of publication.Example:Duvall, John N. "The (Super)Marketplace of Images: Television as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's White Noise." Arizona Quarterly 50.3 (1994): 127- 53. Print.

Works Cited Page: OtherPersonal Interview Example:Purdue, Pete. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2000.

Speech Example:

Stein, Bob. Computers and Writing Conference.

Purdue University. Union Club Hotel, West

Lafayette, IN. 23 May 2003. Keynote address.

Works Cited Page: Other

Film Example:

The Usual Suspects. Dir. Bryan Singer. Perf. Kevin

Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen

Baldwin, and Benecio del Toro. Polygram, 1995.

Film.

Works Cited Page: The BasicsSample Works Cited page:

Works Cited Page: The BasicsSample Works Cited page:

For More Information

Purdue Writing Lab Phone Number: 765-494-3723

Purdue OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Focused Areas

Title Page

Formal Sentence Outline

Final Draft (Graded Areas)

Works Cited Page

Clarity Index

Title Page: The BeginningSample Title page:

Title Page: The BeginningSample Title page:

Formal Sentence Outline: The ShellSample Outline page:

Formal Sentence Outline: The ShellSample Outline page:

1st Essay Page: The BeginningSample Final Draft page:

Key Point!!!! 12pt / Times New Roman / Double Spaced!

Works Cited Page: The BasicsSample Works Cited page:

Works Cited Page: The BasicsSample Works Cited page:

Clarity Index Page: The FinaleSample Clarity Index page:

Graded Areas

Introduction and Thesis

Body Focus

Organization

Writing and Style

Conclusion

Grading Rubric

Introduction and Thesis (X3 Max points 15)5 The introduction is sophisticated and readily captures the reader’s attention by contextualizing the subject. Strong and

purposeful thesis statement gives direction. 4 Good introduction overall; may not readily capture the reader’s attention, but it establishes the context and demonstrates

some style. 3 The introduction has some sense of focus, but is somewhat underdeveloped (lacks general background knowledge, fail to

lead into the thesis; intro contains irrelevant information. 2 The introduction and thesis is weak or simplistic and does not establish the context. Writer falls into introductory pitfalls. 1 No real attempt has been made at an introduction nonexistent thesis; immature style.

Body Focus (X6 Max points 30)5 Essay paper is focused, purposeful, and reflects insight. Writer demonstrates a mature, sophisticated understanding of

complex ideas that prove and support the thesis statement.4 Essay paper is focused and reflects insight; demonstrates a strong understanding of the ideas presented that support the

thesis statement.3 Essay paper is focused on the thesis but contain ideas loosely related to the topic. Insight is somewhat superficial or simplistic. 2 Essay paper looses focus of thesis statement, or paper falls into summarization due to poor topic sentences; body of paper

does not address thesis; however, body addresses another argument. 1 Essay paper does not address the thesis. Direction of the paper is confusing.

Grading Rubric

Organization (X4 Max points 20)5 Essay paper is powerfully and logically organized with strong topic sentences that lead into the analysis points; paragraphs progress in thought by using transitional

elements. Points for analyses are relevant, developed, and logically build from each other defending the thesis. 4 Essay paper demonstrates a logical progression of ideas with good topic sentences. Topic sentences and transitional elements are used. Analysis points are present and

argue the thesis. 3 Essay paper lacks logical progression of ideas and development. Some topic sentences state factual information or topic sentences do not capture the point of the

paragraph. Little to no transitional elements are used; problems with paragraph organization.2 Essay paper contains disjointed ideas for analysis; reader experiences some vertigo. Topic sentences are not used. Essay does not follow a logical format; paragraph

problems. 1 Essay paper is disorganized and disconnected from thesis. Reader is lost. No topic sentences or transitional elements used; serious paragraph problems.

Writing and Style (X4 Max points 20)5 Essay contains little to no errors in basic grammar; sentence structure is varied; excellent use of transitions; mature word choice and appropriate academic tonal

elements are used. 4 Essay contains few errors in basic grammar that do not detract from the argument; sentence structure is varied; uses transitions well; good word choice and general

academic tonal elements. 3 Essay contains errors in basic grammar that detract from the writer’s argument (i.e. sentence fragments and run-ons, quotation problems, etc.); some use of transitions

are evident; adequate word choice. Attempted academic tonal elements. 2 Essay contains errors in basic grammar that significantly detract from the writer’s argument, sentence structure is simplistic. Inappropriate tone; little use of transitions;

questionable word choice.1 Essay contains too many errors in basic grammar that significantly detract from writer’s argument. Tone is inappropriate and possibly offensive. Use of transitions is not

evident; word choice is inappropriate.

Conclusion (X3 Max points 15)5 The writer makes precise conclusions based on the information and ideas presented. Insights into the topic are appropriate. Conclusion is sophisticated and supports the

thesis; no new information is presented. Conclusion makes relevant connections to the topic and demonstrates style and ingenuity. 4 The writer makes precise conclusions based on the information and ideas presented. Insights into the topic are appropriate. The thesis is addressed and no new

information is presented. Conclusion has some sense of style. 3 The conclusion provides little insight into the topic presented. The thesis is addressed but not restated. Conclusion may be somewhat underdeveloped or simplistic.

Conclusion is not effective and lacks style. 2 The conclusion simply restates the introduction or is simplistic or vague. The conclusion does not reflect the introduction and thesis and/or introduces new ideas. 1 The conclusion is too brief to provide closure. Conclusion has nothing to do with the paper.  

Introduction

Remember that your thoughts should be organized in a way that the reader can easily follow. The introduction paragraph(s) provides a brief overview of what is to come in the rest of the essay as well as the main focus of the essay in a succinct thesis statement

Your introduction is where you hook your reader in and leave them wanting to read more. Your introduction should start with an attention grabbing sentence which is sometimes called a hook.

Introduction

Born and raised Texas, in an all-American family, playing football in an all-American town, I had no idea just how fortunate I was. Every night I was able to sit down to dinner with my family in the comfort of our home without the threat of an extremist organization breaking down the door and killing everyone I love. In June of 2010, I was deployed for a year to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These twelve months would open my eyes to the poor economic state of Afghanistan, the cultural and religious differences and the dysfunctional government.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells your reader the main point of the paper; it is the compass that the rest of the paper will follow. Your thesis should be a one sentence summary of your paper.

Introduction and Thesis Statement

To ensure a precise thesis statement use the writing prompt to compose your thesis.

ALC Guidelines for Branch History and Heritage: Write an essay on a topic concerning a battle, event, or unit within your branch discussing the history and/or heritage of that topic and how it relates to the evolution and contribution towards today’s military operations and bring a historical perspective to contemporary military problems and leadership

Thesis Statement

Step 1: Battle, event, or unit in the history of your branch

Step 2: Consider and find support for how that battle, event, or unit has helped the military to evolve or change the way it approaches operations

Step 3: Consider how those past events are reflected in today’s military or influenced present military leadership

Thesis Statement

Step 1: The Battle of Gettysburg Step 2: Revealed inaccuracies in the method of

mortar fire deliveryStep 3: The present changes in the targeting

systems of Howitzers reflects the lessons learned at Gettysburg

Thesis Statement: The Battle of Gettysburg is significant in the history of the field artillery for showing inaccuracies in mortar fire and affecting the Howitzer weapons system of the present.

Body Focus

Once you have the thesis statement, body focus is a breeze.

Each paragraph of your essay should refer back to a point presented in your thesis.

Use transitions and topic sentences so that your ideas will be easy to understand

Body Focus

Transitions are words that signal a change in idea or relationship between ideas. Some common transitions are so, however, although, thus, next, first, in conclusion. Using transitions will help guide the reader from one idea to another. Visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/02/ for a list of situational transitions.

An effective paragraph focuses on one main idea. To ensure the paragraph is focused state the main idea clearly in one sentence called a topic sentence. Topic sentences do not have to be at the beginning of the paragraph, but it is a good practice to start paragraphs with a topic sentence. Since body paragraphs support the thesis statement, the topic sentence should focus on one point from the thesis.

Body Focus

Thesis Statement: The Battle of Gettysburg is significant in the history of the field artillery for showing inaccuracies in mortar fire and affecting the Howitzer weapons system of the present.

Body paragraph one: significant historical information about the weapons used at Gettysburg.

Body paragraph two: how those weapons were inaccurate in the Battle

Body paragraph three: how identifying the inaccuracies of those weapons lead to the development of the Howitzer

Body Focus

Sample topic sentences with transitions:To begin, the weapons used in Battle of

Gettysburg have great historical significance to the field artillery.

Yet, the great weapons used by the Union Army at Gettysburg had considerable inaccuracies.

Nevertheless, by learning from the mistakes made at Gettysburg, the field artillery has developed more advanced weapons systems such as the Howitzer.

Organization

Chronological order: Similar to a time line from earliest time, date, events to later time, date, or events

Logical order: Order ideas in a way that makes sense to the reader. Put your most important points first.

Cause and effect: Organize your essay to show how an event (the cause) created or changed another event (the effect)

Compare and contrast: Show similarities and differences in things, people, or places.

Problem and solution: Clearly state a problem in each topic sentence then offer a solution using the supporting details.

Writing and Style

More than just mechanics and grammarVary your sentence structure Use transitions within the paragraphsThis is not a personal narrative, so avoid using the

first and second person pronoun form (I, me, we, us, they, you, your)

Use an academic tone – do not write in the same way that you speak (which is a conversational tone)

Avoid contractions (don’t, I’d, aren’t, didn’t, wasn’t)

Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph(s) wraps up the essay and restates the thesis, reminding readers what you have told them.

Your conclusion should summarize the main ideas of your essay. Usually, the first sentence of the conclusion is a rephrasing (not repeating) of the thesis. The conclusion reminds the reader what your paper is about and allows you to make a final point without introducing new information.

Conclusion

The Battle of Gettysburg is significant in the history of the field artillery for showing inaccuracies in mortar fire and affecting the Howitzer weapons system of the present.

Example: Without the experience gained from The Battle of Gettysburg, the weapons system of the United States Army may have remained inaccurate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Syria has throughout its history been a hotspot in the world. From the many invasions the nation has face from pre-biblical times till independence in 1946, the nation has a rich culture within the Middle East. Since the US believes that Syria sponsors terrorism and the overall relations of the US and other Middle Eastern nations, relations have been and will probably be tense for quite some time. As noted earlier, Syria is in a prime location with access from the Mediterranean to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, so it is an area of interest in the world. As long as the Middle East is unstable, Syria will continue to be a hot spot in the world and an area of interest to the US and its allies.

Resources

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL): Offers MLA formatting examples, citation examples, essay examples, and help with every facet of the writing process http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

NCOA Writing Help Wikispace: created by the instructor that grades the ALC and SLC essays http://ncoawritinghelp.wikispaces.com/

Research and documentation online: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/

Citation machine: will help you format your citations http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

Cameron University Center for Writers Resources: http://www.cameron.edu/writing_center/resource.html#Cameron Resources

Questions?

Summary