Understanding MLA citation style for student research papers

¶ … Modern Language Association to cite the sources referenced and used in a research paper or other document, such as a scholarly book or online journal (MLA Official Website, 2010). It is the style more often used in the fields of study relating to the humanities such as English and Philosophy (MLA Official Website, 2010). APA (American Psychological Association) style is more often used in the social sciences.

What is an in-text (parenthetical) citation?

An in-text (parenthetical) citation is a reference used within the body of the paper to cite either a paraphrase of a source, a source used in researching the material, or a direct quote ("What is MLA style," 2010, MLA).

Why do students need to use MLA style?

It is essential to credit the sources used when compiling a research paper to avoid accusations of plagiarism and give appropriate credit to outside sources. "Documentation of sources is necessary not just in research papers but in any written work that contains information from or references to texts outside itself" ("Style: The MLA Way," Rutgers University, 2010). The MLA style offers a consistent method for students and scholars within a discipline to cite their sources and make their citation method comprehensible to everyone reading their works. It allows the reader to easily find what part of the source that was used to write the paper and to "help your reader to distinguish between your ideas and reasoning and those you derive from other sources" ("Style: The MLA Way," Rutgers University, 2010).

What MLA resources are available to help students?

A number of online websites, such as Easy Bib offer templates for compiling MLA bibliographies (Easy Bib, Official Website, 2010). The MLA website itself is a resource, as is the published, book version of its style guide (MLA Official Website, 2010). And teachers and classmates are also resources, whenever there is confusion about the correct way to cite different materials.