Mla citation

Definition

MLA citation is a standardized method for documenting sources used in academic writing, specifically developed by the Modern Language Association. This format ensures that creators receive proper credit for their work, helps readers locate the original sources, and maintains academic integrity by avoiding plagiarism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MLA citation uses a specific format that includes the author's name, title of the work, publication details, and the medium of publication.
2. In-text citations in MLA format typically include the author's last name and page number in parentheses, making it easy for readers to find corresponding entries in the Works Cited list.
3. The latest edition of MLA guidelines encourages the use of digital object identifiers (DOIs) for online sources to ensure accurate retrieval.
4. MLA format is widely used in humanities disciplines, particularly in literature, philosophy, and cultural studies.
5. Proper MLA citation not only helps avoid plagiarism but also enhances the credibility and authority of an academic argument by showing thorough research.

Review Questions

• How does MLA citation help prevent plagiarism in academic writing?
  • MLA citation helps prevent plagiarism by requiring writers to give credit to the original authors of the ideas and information they use. By following this standardized method, writers document their sources accurately and transparently. This not only shows respect for others' work but also allows readers to trace back to the original material, ensuring that all contributions are properly acknowledged.
• Discuss the importance of in-text citations and how they relate to the Works Cited page in MLA formatting.
  • In-text citations are crucial because they provide immediate reference points within the text, indicating where specific information or ideas were sourced. Each in-text citation corresponds to a detailed entry on the Works Cited page, allowing readers to easily locate the full source details. This relationship between in-text citations and the Works Cited page reinforces academic integrity and facilitates reader understanding.
• Evaluate the impact of using digital object identifiers (DOIs) in MLA citations for online sources on academic research.
  • Using digital object identifiers (DOIs) in MLA citations significantly improves academic research by providing a stable and reliable link to online resources. DOIs ensure that readers can access original materials without encountering issues like broken links or outdated URLs. This practice enhances the credibility of academic writing and streamlines the process of locating sources, ultimately supporting more effective and efficient research practices.

Related terms

plagiarism:

The act of using someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment, thereby presenting it as one's own.

in-text citation: A brief reference within the text of an essay or paper that corresponds to a full citation in the Works Cited page, indicating the source of information or ideas.

Works Cited: A list of all the sources cited in an academic work, formatted according to MLA guidelines, which appears at the end of the document.