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Research: Crediting information

Giving credit to avoid plagiarism

 

At the middle school we use the MLA (Modern Language Association) format for giving credit to sources used in research papers and projects.  Be aware that in high school and college you may be asked to use another format such as APA, Chicago, or another format.  Using MLA format will give you practice in citing your sources with parenthetical or in-text citations, providing a works cited at the end, and avoiding plagiarism.

 

 

The following website will give you:

an overview of what is included in a citation, a template and the punctuation to be used. 

https://style.mla.org/works-cited/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

MLA citation format- What is it?

MLA style is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, ninth edition, published by the Modern Language Association (MLA).  The MLA format generally refers to the method of citing outside sources using the MLA style of parenthetical or in-text documentation.

 

Tips for writing a works cited

  • Last name and page number should be in the upper right corner 1/2 inch from the top of the page
  • The heading, Works Cited, should be centered at the top of the page, 1 inch from the top
  • Double space after your heading, Works Cited, and your first citation entry
  • There should be 1 inch margins on the left, right, and bottom of the page.
  • All citation entries are double spaced and begin at the left margin.  If an entry is longer than one line, indent the following lines by 1/2 inch, or five spaces.
  • The list of citations is alphabetized.
  • To remove a hyperlink on a web address, highlight your text, go to Insert, Link, and then delete the text of the link.

Note: The following example is a simple format for a works cited.  Check in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, ninth edition if you have any questions or have a format that involves situations such as more than two authors, book in a series, letters, government publications, sound recordings, film or video, interview, etc.  Or use the OWL at Purdue website MLA Formatting and Style Guide.  Or use a citation creator such as NoodleTools.

Example of a works cited:

Citing information using NoodleTools

NoodleToolsNoodleTools is an online platform that the school provides.  With the school subscription you can create an account, input citation information and export a works cited, add in note cards, drag and drop to sort note cards into an outline, and write a paper.  See your librarian or teacher if you need help using NoodleTools.