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MLA Style Overview and Practice Activities
Mini-Unit Overview:
This CCSS aligned mini-unit includes an overview of in-text citations and Works Cited pages, as well as
three activities that can be used for practice or assessment to effectively reinforce the proper use of
MLA citations. Students are able to think through the MLA process, rather than simply plugging
information into a website.
Unit Contents:
MLA Overview Learning Activity Directions!
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Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Overview!
Guidelines for a MLA Style Works Cited Page!
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MLA Review Questions!
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MLA Review Questions Teacher Key !
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MLA Works Cited Practice! !
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MLA Works Cited Practice Teacher Key !
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What Belongs in the Parentheses?! !
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What Belongs in the Parentheses? Teacher Key ! !
CCSS Standard Addresses and Image Credits!
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MLA Overview Activities Directions
(included documents are bolded):
This mini-unit would be best introduced before assigning a research project that includes MLA citations.
Of course, no teaching of MLA citations would be complete without the plagiarism talk, so it’s best to
get that out of the way before moving on to the activities!
To begin, students should review the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Overview and
Guidelines for a MLA Style Works Cited Page handouts (pages 4-6) by reading silently, or better yet,
with the teacher reviewing the condensed handouts with the students and eliciting student responses
for some of the less common formatting issues (examples: how do you cite a source without an author
or page number? What is a corporate agency? What is the difference between citing a print magazine
article versus an online magazine article?). The sample formatting guidelines for the different sources
includes variations so students are able to see how the same type of source may included different
types of information. Students may need to be reminded that if they need help citing a source not listed
on the handout, they should visit the most current edition of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers.
After reviewing the handouts, students should complete the MLA Review Questions (page 7; Notes 8)
individually or with a partner. Students should answer as many questions as possible without their
notes, then go back to their notes to fill in any missing information. This activity allows students to gain
confidence in their MLA knowledge both with and without their notes. Teacher should review the
responses for clarity.
After, students should individually complete the MLA Works Cited Practice (page 9; Key 10) by
creating a typed or handwritten properly formatted Works Cited page using seven sources on the
handout. Students may use their notes but not an online website, as there is value in thinking through
the steps instead of having a computer figure it out for them. Teacher should review the responses for
clarity. Note: for an advanced group of students, the practice page may be used as a quiz or test (with
the students being allowed to use their notes, of course).
Additionally, students may complete What Belongs in the Parentheses? activity (page 11; Key 12).
Students must use the sources supplied on the aforementioned MLA Works Cited practice handout to
complete this activity; students only fill in the parenthetical citation for the sources listed on the Works
Cited page. Each of the 10 item on the activity sheet will inform the student if a signal phrase has been
used prior to the parenthetical citation. Teacher should review the responses for clarity.
Note: Although footnotes and endnotes are occasionally used in MLA Style; they are generally
discouraged so I left them out of this mini-unit. I will be offering a mini-unit covering the Chicago Style in
the month ahead.
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Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Overview
The Modern Language Association Style (MLA) is a system used to document sources used in literature and
languages research projects. Generally, the MLA’s documentation system includes in-text citations coupled with
a Works Cited page. The MLA refreshes its citation rules every few years, so if ever in doubt about how to cite a
source be sure to visit the current edition of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are notations made with a combination of signal phrases and parenthetical citations. A signal
phrase, which normally includes the author’s last name, indicates that information taken from a source (be it a
quotation, summary, paraphrase, statistic, etc.) is about to be used. The parenthetical citation comes after the
cited material and normally includes the page number(s) from which the source information came. If the author is
not used to introduce the source material, then the name, if available, should be in the parenthetical citation. What
is the signal phrase and the parenthetical citation for each of the following two examples?
Writer Michael Pollan suggests that if food comes from a plant “eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t" (41).
A well-respected food writer suggests that if food comes from a plant “eat it; if it was made in a plant,
don’t" (Pollan 41).
The signal phrases in the statements above are "Michael Pollan" and “Pollan” respectively, which both name the
author. The parenthetical citation of "(41)” for both statements give the page number of the book in which the
quoted information is found.
How does one create an in-text citation if a source has no author, especially for an online source? First, look a
little harder; people who post quality web content want their ideas to be credited! Also be aware of corporate
entities, such as organizations or a government agencies, as these corporate entities are considered the author if
none is listed. If there is absolutely no author or corporate entity for a source, use the title of the work as the
signal phrase.
How does one create an in-text citation if there are no page numbers for a source, perhaps when citing a website
or film? In these cases, no page numbers are necessary, though the first item that appears in the Works Cited
entry for that source needs to be used as the signal phrase (meaning that sometimes there will be no
parenthetical citation for these types of resources).
Tips for In-text Citations:
• Include the last name of the author and the page number where you found your information in your
citation. Do not put a comma between the author's last name and the page number.
• If you refer to the author before introducing a summary, quote, statistic, etc., you only need to include the
page number in the parenthetical citation.
• Include the citation immediately after the reference, regardless of where it falls in the sentence.
• If the sentence calls for a comma or period after the parenthetical citation, place it after the closing
parenthesis.
• When a quotation ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, leave the end punctuation inside
the quotation mark and add a period after the parentheses.
• If a source has two authors, separate both of their last names with an “and”.
• If a source has three or more authors, separate the names with commas and an “and”.
• If there is no author or corporate entity for a source, use the title of the work and page number.
Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is the place where readers can look up more information about a source than what is
offered in a project’s in-text citations. In a Works Cited page, each citation consists of a minimum of three
statements: an author statement, a title statement, and a publication statement. More in depth information follows.
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Guidelines for a MLA Style Works Cited Page
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Start the Works Cited list on a new page at the end of the research project.
Center the title Works Cited one inch from the top of the page.
Alphabetize entries by the author’s last name or by the corporate entity; if there is no author, alphabetize by the
title (ignore A, An, orThe).
Books and periodical titles are italicized.
All entries must include the medium in which they have been published (Print, Web, DVD, Film, Television, etc.)
Website URLs are no longer required for website citations.
Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inches.
Use the following abbreviation for sources that do not have a date, publisher or pagination: n.d. (for no date),
n.p. (for no publisher), and n.pag. (for no page number available).
Reference Information
(Note: Most citations will not require all of the
information provided below, though the information
should be included if available)
Sample Formatting Guidelines for Various
References
Books:
• Name(s) of author(s) or editor(s). One author: Last
name, First name. Two authors: Last name, First
name and First name Last name. Three or more
authors: Last name, First name, First name Last
name, and First name Last name.
• If only citing one chapter within a book, the title of the
chapter in “quotation marks.”
• Title of book (including subtitle) italicized.
• Name(s) of editor(s) (if utilized) preceded by Ed.
• Edition (only if 2nd edition or later).
• City of publication: name of publisher, year of
publication.
• Page numbers (only if citing a book chapter).
• Medium of publication (Print).
One author of a 2nd edition book
Last name, First name. Title. 2nd ed. City: Publisher,
Year. Print.
Encyclopedia entries:
• Name(s) of author(s) if available.
• Title of article in “quotation marks.”
• Title of encyclopedia italicized.
• Name(s) of editor(s) preceded by Ed.
• Edition (only if 2nd edition or later).
• Volume number.
• City of publication, name of publisher, and year of
publication if print; name of publisher, and year of
publication if online.
• Medium of publication (Print or Web).
• Date of access (day month and year) if online.
Print encyclopedia entry with no date (third edition,
fourth volume)
Last name, First name. “Name of Entry.” Title of
Encyclopedia. Ed. Editor Name. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. City:
Publisher, n.d. Print.
Films:
• Title of film italicized.
• Dir. and Director’s Name.
• Film Studio, Release Year.
• Medium of publication (DVD or Film).
DVD
Name of Film. Dir. and Director’s Name. Film Studio,
Release Year. DVD.
Two authors of a chapter of a book
Last name, First name and First name Last name.
“Name of Chapter.” Title. City: Publisher, Year.
Page numbers of chapter. Print.
One author with one editor of a book
Last name, First name. Title. Ed. Editor’s First name
Last name. City: Publisher, Year. Print.
Encyclopedia web entry with no author or editor
“Name of Entry.” Encyclopedia Website Name.
Publisher, Year. Web. Date accessed.
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Reference Information
(Note: Most citations will not require all of the
information provided below, though the information
should be included if available)
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Sample Formatting Guidelines for Various
References
Print journal, magazine and newspaper articles:
• Name(s) of author(s). One author: Last name, First
name. Two authors: Last name, First name and First
name Last name.
• Title of article in “quotation marks.”
• Title of journal or magazine italicized.
• Volume number (for a journal).
• Issue number (for a journal, if available).
• Date of publication (for journal article, note year
only).
• Page numbers of the article.
• Medium of publication (Print).
One author of a print journal article
Last name, First name. "Article." Title of Journal
Series Volume.Issue (Year Published): Page(s).
Print.
Journal, magazine and newspaper articles acquired
online or using a library database:
• Name(s) of author(s). One author: Last name, First
name. Two authors: Last name, First name and First
name Last name.
• Title of article in “quotation marks.”
• Title of journal or magazine italicized.
• Volume number and issue number (for a journal).
• Date of publication (for journal article, note year
only); if not available, use n.d.
• Page numbers of the article as originally published
in print journal if available.
• Name of the database or website italicized.
• Medium of publication (Web).
• Date of access (day, month, and year).
Corporate author of a journal article found on a
library database
Corporate Author. "Article." Title of Journal
Series Volume.Issue (Year Published): Page(s).
Database Name. Web. Date Accessed.
Websites:
• Name(s) of author(s).
• Title of the work italicized if the work is independent;
in quotation marks if it is part of a larger work.
• Title of the overall website italicized, if distinct from
above.
• Publisher or sponsor of the site; if not available, use
n.p.
• Date of publication (day month and year), if not
available, use n.d.
• Medium of publication (Web).
• Date of access (day month and year).
Website with an author
Last name, First name. "Title." Website. Website
Publisher, Date. Web. Date Accessed.
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Two authors of a print magazine article
Last name, First name and First name Last name.
"Article." Magazine Title Date Month Year
Published: Page(s). Print.
No known author of a print newspaper article
"Article." Newspaper Title Date Month Year Published,
Edition, Section: Page(s). Print.
Online newspaper article
Last name, First name."Article." Newspaper Title Date
Month Year Published, Edition, Section: Page(s).
Website Title. Web. Date Accessed.
Website with no author or publisher
"Title." Website. N.p. Date. Web. Date Accessed.
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Name:___________________________________ Date: ________________ Class Period:________
MLA Citations Review Questions
Directions: Answer as many as the following questions as you are able without your notes. After, visit your
notes to add any missing information.
1. When using in-text citations, what punctuation should go inside the parenthesis? ________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. What two pieces of information are usually included in an in-text citation? ______________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. If an author is used to introduce a quote, what information should be used in the parenthetical
citation? ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What information should be included in the parenthetical citation if the source is a website without an
author? _______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. If a source includes the following: a title, an author, and a date, which piece of information should
always go first on a Works Cited entry, regardless of the source? ________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
6. What should always be at the top of a Works Cited page? ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
7. How should sources be organized on a Works Cited page? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
8. How does one format an entry on a Works Cited page if the entry is more than one line long?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
9. How does one alphabetize an encyclopedia entry entitled “The Automobile”, by the letter “T” or “A”?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
10. What is the difference between citing a book and a magazine article on a Works Cited page?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
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MLA Citations Review Questions Teacher Notes
Directions: Answer as many as the following questions as you are able without your notes. After, visit your
notes to add any missing information.
1. When using in-text citations, what punctuation should go inside the parenthesis?
None.
2. What two pieces of information are usually included in an in-text citation?
The author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the source information came.
3. If an author is used to introduce a quote, what information should be used in the parenthetical
citation?
Only the page number(s) from which the source information came.
4. What information should be included in the parenthetical citation if the source is a website without an
author?
If available, the corporate entity (as long as it was not used to introduce the source material). If there is
no corporate entity or if the corporate entity was used to introduce the source material, the title of the
work should be used.
5. If a source includes the following: a title, an author, and a date, which piece of information should
always go first on a Works Cited entry, regardless of the source?
The author’s last name.
6. What should always be at the top of a Works Cited page?
The words “Works Cited” centered at the top of the page.
7. How should sources be organized on a Works Cited page?
Alphabetically; organized by author’s last name, if available.
8. How does one format an entry on a Works Cited page if the entry is more than one line long?
After the first line, the text should be indented the second and subsequent lines by .5”.
9. How does one alphabetize an encyclopedia entry entitled “The Automobile”, by the letter “T” or “A”?
One should alphabetize the entry by the letter “A”.
10. What is the difference between citing a book and a magazine article on a Works Cited page?
Both the book and the magazine title will be italicized, though the magazine article will be in quotation
marks.
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Name:___________________________________ Date: ________________ Class Period:________
MLA Works Cited Practice
Directions: Refer to your notes to create a neatly written or typed properly formatted Works Cited page
using the seven sources below. Use only the information needed to correctly cite each source. Some entries
may need some additional notations to make the entry complete (think punctuation, formatting of titles, the
source medium, etc.).
1. Marilyn Murray Wilson and Jane Smith.
Family Food Issues.
Main Street Post Online May 1 2002.
June 2 2003
5. No Appetite for Good-for-You School
Lunches
Vivian Yee
Published: October 5, 2012
New York Times.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/nyregion/
healthier-school-lunches-face-studentrejection.html?pagewanted=all
2. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
Michael Pollan
Penguin Press
December 29, 2009
New York
6. The Bitter Truth about Fast Food
Eric Schlosser
Friday 6 April 2001
The Guardian
Pages 12-13
3. Best Food Writing 2014
Edited by Holly Hughes
“How to Boil Water” by Irvin Lin
Da Capo Press
Boston, 2014
108-112
7. Department of Agriculture.
Surveys of Food Consumption, 1965-1998
National Archives
Online Public Access Database
http://research.archives.gov/description/
622544
4. Food. Inc.
Robert Kenner
Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: November 3, 2009
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MLA Works Cited Practice Teacher Notes
Works Cited
Department of Agriculture. Surveys of Food Consumption, 1965 - 1998. N.d. National Archives Online
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Public Access. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
Food, Inc. Dir. Robert Kenner. Magnolia Home Entertainment, 2009. DVD.
Lin, Irvin. "How to Boil Water." Best Food Writing 2014. Ed. Holly Hughes. New York: Penguin, 2014.
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108-12. Print.
Murray Wilson, Marilyn, and Jane Smith. "Family Food Issues." N. pag. Main Street Post Online. 1 May
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2002. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.
Pollan, Michael. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. New York: Penguin, 2009. Print.
Schlosser, Eric. "The Bitter Truth About Fast Food." The Guardian. 6 Apr. 2001: 12-13. Print.
Yee, Vivian. "No Appetite for Good-for-You School Lunches." N. pag. The New York Times Online. 05
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Oct. 2012. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
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Name:___________________________________ Date: ________________ Class Period:________
What Belongs in the Parentheses?
Directions: Using the numbered sources from the MLA Works Cited Practice handout, write down what
belongs in the parenthetical citation using the information from both the practice handout and from each
statement listed below. See the first two items as an example. Mind your punctuation.
A student uses the author from source two to introduce a quote from
page 27.
(___________27__________)
A student does not use the author from source two to introduce a
quote from page 27.
(_______Pollan 27________)
1. A student uses the authors from source one to introduce a
summary from an online newspaper article.
(_______________________)
2. A student does not use the authors from source one to introduce a
summary from an online newspaper article.
(_______________________)
3. A student uses the author from the chapter in source three to
introduce a quote from page 108.
(_______________________)
4. A student does not use the author from source three to introduce a
quote from page 108.
(_______________________)
5. A student does not use source four to introduce a quote.
(_______________________)
6. A student uses source four to introduce a quote.
(_______________________)
7. A student uses the author from source five to introduce a quote.
(_______________________)
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8. A student uses the author from source six to introduce a summary
from page 13.
(_______________________)
9. A student uses the corporate entity from source seven to introduce
a statistic.
(_______________________)
10. A student does not use the corporate entity from source seven to
introduce a statistic.
(_______________________)
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What Belongs in the Parenthesis? Teacher Notes
Directions: Using the numbered sources from the MLA Works Cited Practice handout, write down what
belongs in the parenthetical citation using the information from both the practice handout and from each item
listed below. See the first two items as an example. Mind your punctuation.
A student uses the author from source two to introduce a quote from
page 27.
(___________27__________)
A student does not use the author from source two to introduce a
quote from page 27.
(_______Pollan 27________)
1. A student uses the authors from source one to introduce a
summary from an online newspaper article.
(none )
2. A student does not use the authors from source one to introduce a
summary from an online newspaper article.
3. A student uses the author from the chapter in source three to
introduce a quote from page 108.
(Wilson and Smith)
(108 )
4. A student does not use the author from source three to introduce a
quote from page 108.
(Lin 108)
5. A student does not use source four to introduce a quote.
(Kenner)
6. A student uses source four to introduce a quote.
(none )
7. A student uses the author from source five to introduce a quote.
(none )
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8. A student uses the author from source six to introduce a summary
from page 13.
(13 )
9. A student uses the corporate entity from source seven to introduce
a statistic.
(none )
10. A student does not use the corporate entity from source seven to
introduce a statistic.
(Department of Agriculture)
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Common Core State Standard Addressed:
L 3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make
effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
a. Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook,
Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.
Image Credits:
Books, Reading and Writing Illustrations. Dover Clip Art collection.
Cover Background created by Open Art Room: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/OpenArtroom.
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