Guidelines
for MLA
Documentation
in Research Projects
Documenting Sources
Brief, clear, and accurate references which document a source can be done in three
ways:
1. The author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source are placed in
parentheses after the quote.
A theatre professor stresses that “Not only does imagination play an important part in
scientific technology, but it is also the lifeblood of the arts” (Tanner 1).
2. The author’s last name can be used within your sentence, and the page number(s)
follow in parentheses after the quote.
Tanner points out that “Readers Theatre has its own identity. It is an art form in and of
itself . . . not a substitute or a make-do for conventional theatre” (11-12).
3. You can also use the author’s last name in your sentence when you are citing the
entire work rather than a specific section or passage, and omit any parenthetical
reference.
Tanner claims that Readers Theatre has great versatility and is a unique form of the
performing arts.
Each reference has a complete citation listed on the Works Cited page. (see example
on last page)
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Placing and Punctuating the
Parenthetical Reference
1. Place the parenthetical reference at the end of the sentence but before the final
period.
Peace begins with each individual. “I let the goal of peace guide my thoughts and actions . . . and
[go] through my day with a tranquil state of mind” (Wheeler 166).
Brackets are used to enclose
changes or additions to a quote
*Note that there is no
punctuation between the
author’s name and the page
citation within the
parenthetical reference.
Ellipsis points (. . .) are used
to indicate that part of the
quoted sentence is left out.
2. Place the reference within your sentence to clarify its relationship to the part of
the sentence it documents and again before any necessary punctuation.
Victoria Wheeler recommends “let[ting] the goal of peace guide [our] thoughts and actions” (166),
indicating that peace begins with each and every individual.
3. Long quotations (more than four lines) should be set off from the text. Place the
reference at the end of the passage but after the final period.
By example, Victoria Wheeler demonstrates that peace begins with each individual on a day to
day basis:
I let the goal of peace guide my thoughts and actions today. I see myself going through my
Indent long
quotes 1", do
not use
quotation
marks, and
maintain double
spacing
day with a tranquil state of mind. I do not shy away from conflict today but maintain calm. I
react appropriately to events without becoming disturbed. When I am calm, it sets the tone
for those around me. My peaceful state of mind enable me to function efficiently. I remain in
my center of calm and perceive the best ways to proceed on my duties. (166)
This is the only time the
punctuation comes before the
parenthetical reference.
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MLA style does not
include a title page
Full name, class
information, and
date (day first)
begins 1" from the
top
st
Sample 1 Page
Last name and
page number (½"
from top and
right justified) are
included on all
pages.
McAnallen 1
Carrie McAnallen
Mr. Pallerino
English 10, period 3
29 March 2005
In or Out: The Invasion Equation
The United States of America is the only remaining superpower of the
world. There are numerous occasions when the U. S. has gone into a country
with good intentions. People argue that our nation should keep to itself and
mind its own business. My belief is that powerful nations should help
countries that are less fortunate. By definition, a superpower is a superior
Standard
Requirements:
nation. On the other hand, a third world country is one that is economically
developing. It demands financial aid and favorable trade agreements from
1"margins on
all sides
industrial countries such as the United States.
Paragraphs
indented ½ "
are increasingly tied both economically and socially to all other nations in the
Double spaced
throughout
being industrialized, the United States has much responsibility. Trade
President Jimmy Carter stated, “As the only remaining superpower, we
world” (Carter 51). Industrialization is the key to being a powerful nation and
agreements are made for manufactured goods that countries cannot produce
on their own. The third world consists of 120 countries and half of the
world’s population, even if China is not included (Thompson 259). In some
of the poorest places on earth, a family will spend about 90 percent of its
income on food alone (Carter 73). The United States has the resources to help
and so has the responsibility to do so. It is a duty
Another duty of a government is to protect and provide for its civilians.
A troubling fact is that many countries’ governments are incapable of doing
so. Most of the 120 third world countries are very poor and 60 percent are
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Sample Works Cited Page
 The list of entries is alphabetized by the first word in each entry.
 If an entry continues onto a second line, the second line is indented.
 All standard requirements apply. (see previous page)
Pagination
continues
Lawson 8
Book by one author
Works Cited
Andrews, John. The History of Heroes. New York: Doubleday, 2001.
“Decisionmakers of the Twentieth Century.” Academic American
CD-ROM
Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Microsoft, 2000.
Edwards,Samuel. “The Man to Send Rain Clouds.” Imagining America:
anthology
Stories from the Promised Land. Ed. Wesley Thompson and Amy
Vincent. Boston, Houghton, 1998.
Interview
Greerson, Robert. Personal Interview. 15 November 2005.
Signed article in a
reference book
Majors, Richard. “Thurber, James.” Encyclopedia Americana. 2000 ed.
“Truman, Harry.” Who’s Who in American History. 1997 ed.
unsigned article in a
reference book
Twain, Lucas. “The Cold War Revisited.” Google. United States
Government. 12 Nov. 2005 <hhtp://usa.coldwar.server.gov/
Internet*
index/cold.war/countries/former.soviet.block/>.
Monthly/bimonthly
magazine
Williams, Gary. “Lincoln at Gettysburg.” Atlantic. Jan. 1999: 14-17.
Young, William. “Culture Shock.” U.S. News and World Report. 15 Sept.
1998: 52-56.
Weekly/biweekly
magazine
*Internet sites often offer “how to cite this source” information.
*Information on citations of this (or other types) can also be found online by
searching for “MLA style” or from Mrs. Deniker, your friendly librarian.
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