7th Grade ELA: Understanding MLA Citation Rules

📚 What is MLA Citation?

MLA (Modern Language Association) citation is a standardized system used in academic writing, particularly in the humanities, for giving credit to the sources you use in your research. It helps avoid plagiarism and allows readers to find your sources easily.

📜 A Brief History of MLA

The MLA style guide was first created in 1951 to provide a consistent format for scholarly articles and research papers. It has been updated regularly to reflect changes in research practices and technology.

🔑 Key Principles of MLA Citation

• ✍️ In-Text Citations: Brief references within your writing that point to the full source entry in your Works Cited list.
• 📑 Works Cited Page: A complete list of all the sources you cited in your paper, appearing at the end of your document.
• 📐 Formatting: Specific guidelines for margins, font, spacing, and indentation.

🖋️ In-Text Citations Explained

In-text citations provide brief information about the source within the body of your paper. They usually include the author's last name and the page number where the information was found. Here are some examples:

• 👤 Single Author: (Smith 42).
• 👥 Two Authors: (Smith and Jones 67).
• 🏢 Corporate Author: (Modern Language Association 89).
• 🌐 Website (if no page number): (Smith, n.p.). The "n.p." stands for "no page".

📃 Creating a Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page lists all the sources you cited in your paper, providing full bibliographic information. It is alphabetized by the author's last name or, if there's no author, by the title of the work.

💡 Works Cited Entry Examples

• 📖 Book: Smith, John. The History of Everything. Penguin Books, 2023.
• 📰 Article: Johnson, Mary. "The Future of Education." Journal of Educational Research, vol. 45, no. 2, 2022, pp. 123-145.
• 🌐 Website: eokultv. "Understanding MLA Citation." eokultv, 15 May 2024, www.eokultv.com/mla-citation. Accessed 20 May 2024.

✍️ General Formatting Guidelines

• 📏 Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
• 🖋️ Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
• spacing: Double-space everything, including the Works Cited page.
• 🗂️ Indentations: Use a hanging indent for each entry on the Works Cited page (the second and subsequent lines of each entry are indented).

🔑 Practice Quiz

Let's test your knowledge with some multiple-choice questions!

1. What is the purpose of MLA citation?
   1. To confuse readers
   2. To give credit to sources and avoid plagiarism
   3. To make your paper longer
   4. To show off your research skills
2. What information is typically included in an in-text citation?
   1. The author's full name and address
   2. The title of the source and publication date
   3. The author's last name and page number
   4. The source's URL and access date
3. Which font and size are generally used in MLA format?
   1. Arial, 14-point
   2. Calibri, 11-point
   3. Times New Roman, 12-point
   4. Comic Sans, 10-point

Answers: 1. b, 2. c, 3. c

✅ Conclusion

Mastering MLA citation is a key skill for academic success. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your work is properly cited and avoid plagiarism. Keep practicing, and you'll become an MLA expert in no time!