The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides details to cite different sources. For instance, the primary purpose of the MLA style citation is to ensure that scholars acknowledge information borrowed from other sources. Also, students who use MLA citation rules correctly avoid all forms of plagiarism. In particular, MLA style citation requires scholars to use author-page or -paragraph parenthetical in-text citations and works cited page with detailed bibliographic information of sources used.
In-Text Citations in the MLA Style
The MLA citation requires one to use author-page parenthetical in-text citations for sources. For instance, the MLA in-text citation must contain the surname of the author and the page containing the quoted information. In this case, space should separate the author’s surname and the page number. Besides, the MLA style citation should appear in brackets at the end of the quoted or paraphrased information. Then, the MLA format citation requires students to use up to two authors in the in-text citations. Hence, the word “and” should separate the two surnames. In turn, the MLA style citation allows one to use the surname of the principal author and the phrase “et al.” to cite sources with three or more contributors. A comma should not separate the last name and the phrase “et al.” Thus, the MLA style requires the writers to use the author-page in-text citation for sources.
MLA Style Citation for Websites
The MLA style citation obliges writers to use author-paragraph for websites. For example, when citing a website MLA, the in-text citation for information obtained from a website must contain the number of the paragraph containing quoted information. In this case, the phrase “par.” followed by a period should precede the paragraph number. Besides, space should separate the author’s surname and the phrase “par.” in the in-text citation. Thus, the MLA website citation forces writers to identify the paragraph containing the information borrowed from websites.
Works Cited
The MLA style citation means a detailed MLA Works Cited that contains bibliographic details of the sources used. For instance, the MLA format Works Cited should include a list of all cited sources arranged in alphabetical order. In this case, the first letter of the principal author’s surname determines the position of a reference in the list. As a rule, every entry must contain the author’s names, the title of the source, and publications date. Then, the entries for online sources should contain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number or an internet link. Besides, entries for journal articles should contain the volume and issue number where applicable. The entries in the works cited should have consistent capitalization and indentation. Hence, the titles and names of sources should appear in a capital case. Also, the references should have a hanging indentation.
Conclusion on MLA Style Citation
In conclusion, the MLA style citation allows scholars to use author-page or -paragraph parenthetical in-text citations. Firstly, the author-page format is applicable for information obtained from printed sources. In this case, the author-paragraph method in the MLA citation guide is appropriate for citing information collected from websites. Then, the MLA paper format forces a writer to have the MLA format Works Cited page with full bibliographic details of sources used. In turn, the references should appear in alphabetical order in the works cited page. Besides, all entries should appear in title case and hanging indentation by considering the MLA citing sources and MLA textbook citation.