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English 201A: English Composition (Patchell): MLA Citations

Course guide for Thomas Patchell's ENGL 201A class, which focuses on the BOTY assignment.

Best Bets

If you're short of time, these resources are your best bets for the topic:

Video on Containers in MLA

Marquette University's 4.5 minute video to explain MLA containers used in the 8th and 9th editions. 

Rules for Formatting the Paper

Unless you are told otherwise by your instructor, format your paper according to the following MLA Style rules:

  • Double-spaced text
  • No extra space between paragraphs
  • 12 point Times New Roman font
  • 1" margins top, bottom, left, right
  • Indent first line of each paragraph by 1/2"

title page with MLA formatting

 

 

Sample Papers

Annotated Bibliography Examples

In-text Citations

In-text citations, also called parenthetical citations, show the reader where you got your information. The citation will begin with the same entry words as the Works Cited citation.

Core Elements

List of core elements in MLA citations

Each entry in the list of works cited is composed of facts common to most works—the MLA core elements. They are assembled in a specific order. Not all elements are present in each citation.

[taken from https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/]

Practice Template

Learn how to use the MLA practice template to create entries in the list of works cited.

[taken from https://https://style.mla.org/interactive-practice-template/]