Garcia 1
Caitlin Garcia
Instructor Vacca
ENGL 1301-TTH
19 September 2013
WC: 583
Title: Yes, You Should Have One
Begin your introduction here. The following will detail MLA format. However, here’s a
suggestion: SAVE this Word .doc file to your hard drive as “MLA Template.” Then, anytime
you need to work on a paper, you open the file and save as “CA1” or “Persuasion,” etc. The
format is already done for you! Yet, it is still important for you to be familiar with the nuances of
MLA—Modern Language Association—style; be aware, MLA is typically the style for
humanities courses. Meanwhile, APA is the style for social sciences (like Psychology). When a
paper is due in class, always ask your instructor which documentation / format style you should
use. Remember, you have access to The McGraw-Hill Handbook which details each of these via
Connect.
Note that there is no additional spacing between the heading, title, body of the essay
and/or each paragraph. As you continue to write, make sure that the text is double-spaced and in
12pt. Times New Roman font. Also, double-check your margins: they should be 1-inch top and
bottom and left and right. On your title, do not increase or bold or italicize the font (unless it
includes the title of a work). Per MLA, for full works, like the title of a book, movie, website, or
magazine, italicize: The New York Times or Blackfish. For compositions that come from a larger
work or are printed within a larger body, denote with “quotation marks.” All of your texts come
from The Bedford Reader and should be in quotes: “Live Free and Starve” or “Blood Loss.”
Garcia 2
When you quote word-for-word language, make sure to always cite and use quotation
marks. “Inanimate objects are classified into three major categories” (Baker par. 1). OR
“Inanimate objects are classified into three major categories” (Baker 399). Choose either to cite
paragraph number (par.) or page number (just the number). Be consistent throughout.
I could also cite the above quote like so:
Baker kicks off his article with: “Inanimate objects are classified into three major
categories.”
Why don’t I need the parenthetical citation here? I’ve used a signal phrase: “Baker kicks
off his article with.” I do not need to show the par. (paragraph number) or page number as I am
clear in the signal phrase—it’s the first line. Further, I also might summarize or paraphrase—if
so, I still need to cite: Baker suggests three major types of “inanimate objects” (par. 1). Make
sure all quotations still flow and maintain grammar and syntax conventions. If not, you might
clarify by adding in words with [brackets.] There also might be occasions where you do not want
an entire passage—in order to more effectively show the material, include an ellipses … this is
three periods with a space on either side.
Last thing to check! Make sure you have inserted page numbers in the top right corner
and add your last name to the header. Often times, Word requires you to manually enter the
name versus selecting a pre-existing option. For most programs, you should be able to go to the
“Insert” tab for the page number. Meanwhile, you may need to add the last name by going to the
“View” tab and then selecting “Header and Footer.” Again, you will likely need to manually
enter your last name. There should be one space between the name and page number; sometime
the font will be different. Correct and ensure it is also in 12pt Times New Roman.