When it comes to writing research papers, adhering to the right formatting style is crucial. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in humanities disciplines. It provides a uniform way to document sources, making it easier for readers to locate and verify the information used in your work. Here are three practical examples of MLA formatting that will help you grasp the essentials.
In the context of a research paper, you might reference a book that provides background information on your topic. Properly citing this source ensures that you give credit to the author and allow others to find the text if they wish to explore further.
Here’s how you would format the citation:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
For example:
Smith, John. Understanding Modern Literature. Penguin Books, 2020.
In this example, the author’s last name comes first, followed by their first name. The title of the book is italicized, and you include the publisher and year of publication. Note that the second line of each citation should be indented for clarity, a practice known as a hanging indent.
When writing a research paper, you may also need to reference journal articles, which contain scholarly information relevant to your topic. This ensures that you are using credible sources to support your claims.
The format for citing a journal article is:
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
For example:
Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Social Media on Youth.” Journal of Modern Communication, vol. 15, no. 3, 2021, pp. 45-67.
This example includes the title of the article in quotation marks, followed by the journal’s title in italics. It also specifies the volume and issue number, the publication year, and the page range where the article can be found.
In today’s digital age, many sources of information come from websites. Citing an online source properly is vital, especially if you’re using it to support your arguments.
The format for citing a website is:
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Web Page.” Website Name, Publisher (if available), Date of Publication, URL.
For example:
Brown, Lisa. “The Evolution of Digital Education.” Educational Trends Online, 15 March 2022, www.educationaltrendsonline.com/evolution-digital-education.
In this case, the title of the web page is in quotation marks, while the website name is italicized. If there’s a publication date available, include it, followed by the URL. If the publisher is not available, you can omit that part.
By following these examples of MLA formatting example, you’ll be able to create citations that meet the standards of this widely accepted style. Remember to always check the latest guidelines from the MLA Handbook for any updates or specific requirements related to your work!