MLA Works Cited: Citing Congressional Hearings for ESL Learners

Question

Hey there! 👋 Citing sources can be tricky, especially when you're dealing with government documents. Congressional hearings? 🤯 Don't sweat it! This guide breaks down how to cite them in MLA format, making it super easy. Let's get those citations right! 💯

nicole.clarke · Accepted Answer

📚 Understanding MLA and Congressional Hearings

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used format for academic writing, especially in the humanities. Congressional hearings are records of meetings held by committees of the U.S. Congress. These hearings contain valuable information, but citing them correctly is essential for academic integrity.

📜 History and Background

The MLA style has evolved over time to provide a consistent and clear method for acknowledging sources. Congressional hearings, as official government documents, require specific citation elements to ensure accuracy and credibility. Proper citation prevents plagiarism and allows readers to locate the original source.

🔑 Key Principles of MLA Citation for Congressional Hearings

🏛️ Author: Usually the committee holding the hearing (e.g., U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs).
🗣️ Title of the Hearing: The full title as it appears on the hearing document.
📅 Date of the Hearing: The date the hearing took place.
💺 Congress and Session Number: Identifies the specific Congress and session (e.g., 117th Congress, 1st Session).
🔗 URL (if online): Provide the stable URL for the hearing document.

✍️ Basic MLA Format

The general format for citing a congressional hearing in MLA 9th edition is as follows:

Committee Name. Title of Hearing. Date. Congress number, Session number. URL.

📝 Real-World Examples

Here are a couple of examples to illustrate how to cite congressional hearings in MLA format:

Example 1: Online Hearing

U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. “Hearing on Strengthening Our Health Care System: Legislation to Lower Costs and Increase Transparency.” 28 Mar. 2023, 118th Cong., 1st sess. https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-on-strengthening-our-health-care-system-legislation-to.
Example 2: Print Hearing (Less Common)
U.S. Senate, Committee on Armed Services. Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee. 7 Feb. 2019, 116th Cong., 1st sess.

💡 Additional Tips

🔎 Double-Check: Always verify the accuracy of the information you include in your citation.
🌐 Persistent URLs: Use stable or persistent URLs whenever possible.
📅 Access Date: MLA no longer requires access dates unless the content is likely to change. If needed: Accessed Day Month Year.

✅ Conclusion

Citing congressional hearings in MLA format doesn't have to be daunting. By following these guidelines and examples, you can accurately and effectively cite these important sources in your research. Remember to pay close attention to the specific details of each hearing to ensure the accuracy of your citations. Good luck! 👍