MLA 9 Introduction Lesson

MLA 9

Academic Writing

Introduction to the MLA 9 Course

Welcome

Welcome to the expanded introductory course on MLA 9. This course will give you a deeper understanding of the Modern Language Association (MLA) 9th Edition style, which is crucial for writing research papers in the humanities. Let's enhance your research and citation skills!

MLA 9

What to expect

In this course, you will learn about the latest updates and changes in MLA 9, including guidelines for formatting, citing sources, and creating a Works Cited page. By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of MLA 9 and produce high-quality academic papers. 

Why MLA?

The MLA Handbook is your roadmap for academic writing. It has guided students and scholars since 1951, providing a template for documenting sources with essential information like title, author, and publication date. This helps you evaluate the validity of sources and cite them consistently.

Finding Appropriate Sources

Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a starting point for research, offering a broad overview of topics. It's only reliable sometimes, but you can use the references listed to find more credible sources. Remember, Wikipedia is a springboard for more in-depth research.

Google Scholar (and Just Plain Google): Google Scholar is a specialized search engine for scholarly literature, while Google searches the broader web. Use Google Scholar to find credible academic content, and always evaluate the trustworthiness of your sources.

MLA Database: MLA International Bibliography: The MLA International Bibliography is a specialized database for scholarly articles, books, and essays on languages and literature. It's an excellent resource for finding high-quality sources for your research.

Data mining from articles and books

Data mining is about extracting key points, arguments, and evidence from your readings. Take detailed notes and organize your findings to support your research and help you understand your topic better.

The bottom line

This course aims to familiarize you with research and citation using MLA 9. By learning how to use the MLA Handbook, find and evaluate sources, and extract data from readings, you will be prepared to write strong research papers. Research is a journey, and with the right tools, you can navigate it with confidence!

Continue with the course after taking the quiz.

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Remember to Continue with the course

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Writing Your Paper and In-text Citations

We're glad you came back to MLA 9! We'll talk about writing your paper and learning how to use in-text citations in this part. For academic honesty and to avoid copying, you must know how to properly cite sources in your writing. Let's learn how to give credit where it's due!

Writing Your Paper

When you write a research paper, you're taking part in a conversation with other scholars. The research you've conducted supports the ideas and findings you present in your paper. Always be specific when choosing your topic, use outlines and drafts, and revise as necessary to create the best paper possible.

In-text Citations

In-text citations are brief references in your writing that direct readers to the full citation in your Works Cited list. They usually include the author's last name and a page number. Here's how to handle different types of sources:

In-text citations

One Author

For a work by a single author, include the author's last name and the page number where the information was found. For example: (Smith 22). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

Two Authors

When a source has two authors, include both last names, separated by "and," followed by the page number. For example: (Smith and Jones 45). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

Three or More Authors

For sources with three or more authors, include the first author's last name followed by "et al." and the page number. For example: (Smith et al. 76). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

One-page Works

If the work is only one page, just include the author's last name. For example: (Smith). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

Website with an Author (and No Page Numbers)

For websites, include the author's last name and the paragraph number if no page numbers are available. For example: (Smith, par. 4). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

Work with No Identifiable Author (or Page Numbers)

If there's no identifiable author, use a shortened title of the work instead. For example: ("Climate Change," par. 2). Notice the period placement.

In-Text Citations

YouTube, TED Talk, Video Lecture, or Podcast

For multimedia sources, include the creator's name and the time stamp of the part you're referencing. For example: (Doe 12:03).

In-Text Citations

Lines from a Play (or Poem)

When citing plays or poems, use the author's last name, followed by the act, scene, and line numbers, separated by periods. For example: (Shakespeare 3.2.45-47).

Conclusion

Be Credible and Ethical

Remember, in-text citations are there to help your reader find the full citation in your Works Cited list, which provides all the details about the source. By following these guidelines, you'll ensure that your paper is both credible and ethical.

Continue with the course after taking the quiz.

​

Remember to Continue with the course

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Continue with the course after taking the quiz.

​

Remember to Continue with the course

Home

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