Teaching MLA Format

1
Teaching MLAFormat Guidelines

• Kathryn McClatchy
• Lakeview Centennial High School
• kmmcclat_at_garlandisd.net

2
What is MLA?

• Modern Language Association
• Founded in 1883
• Works to strengthen the study and teaching of
  language and literature
• 30,000 members in 100 countries
• Serves English and foreign language teachers

3
Why do I have to use MLA?

• It is the shorthand used by students of the
  humanities for over 50 years
• It is used internationally and eliminates
  confusion when exchanging ideas and information
• Shows you are serious and knowledgeable about the
  details of writing
• Makes you a more discerning reader
• Helps you avoid plagiarism

4
So, whats the basic MLA format?

• All secondary students should know
• Proper headings (date in international notation)
• 1 margins
• Double space entire paper (no skipped lines)
• ½ tabs at beginning of paragraph
• Center title
• No bold, italics, caps, or underlining for
  emphasis in titles or the text
• Font 12 point, Times New Roman

5
What are the requirements for a Works Cited
page?

• Author
• Title of book or website
• Title of Chapter or page
• Publishing company or sponsor of website
• Date published and/or date accessed
• Page numbers
• (edition, editor, translator, volume, etc.)

6
Bibliography

• Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of
  Research Papers. 6. New York The Modern Language
  Association of America, 2003.
• Modern Language Association (MLA)
  http//www.mla.org/
• Son of Citation Machine http//citationmachine.net
  /
• The OWL at Purdue http//owl.english.purdue.edu/ow
  l/resource/557/01/