Staying In-Bounds: the Joy of MLA Format

SPeace 12

Sula Peace

Mr. Go

ENG1D1-04

4 November 2014

Staying In-Bounds: The Joy of MLA Format

Begin your assignment here (note the indent - use the tab key). Bold text in this paragraph has been added for emphasis. Though you may use bolded text in your title, you should not be using this style in the body of your paragraphs. Notice the title: it begins with a creative, poetic phrase that incorporates some poetic device (alliteration, metaphor, figurative language, or even rhyme) followed by the colon (:) and then a more specific, focused explanatory title. A colon can precede an explanation. In the top left corner, be sure to change only your First and Last name and course code. The date (you may notice) changes automatically to today, so do not tamper with that code. In the header, type your first initial and full last name and make sure there is a space. DO NOT alter the page number since it is automatically set to change. Be sure to adjust the Works Cited page at the end to suit your assignment. Note that there are no numbers beside the entries and that each entry is put in alphabetical order by first word(s). Use easbib.com to assist in creating entries but use the manual edit feature rather than autocite (since this leads to errors). Note that in each entry every line except the first is indented using the tab key. This helps readers effortlessly find the entry that appears in your paper (namely, the entry that is "cited").

Do not forget to use GERRC paragraph format if you are creating an analysis. In addition, do not forget to stay in present tense and write in the third person (avoiding “I”, “we”, “us”, “you”) in an attempt to maintain some semblance of an academic tone. Avoid contractions and cite your work by using parenthetical references and embedding quotations. The best kind of paper will embed the quotation directly into the analysis. So one might comment (and this might be considered a wildly imaginative comment) on Dr. Seuss’ evocation of the gutt-wrenching image of the cat, a symbol of feline sensibility, devouring the “green eggs and ham” (Seuss 4). Because Seuss himself began as a cartoonist and humourist, and because he worked in the army for a time (“Geisel, Theodor Seuss”) this could account for his somewhat unorthodox sense of humour. When referring to the title of a poem, short story or other piece from a larger collection, be sure to format the title in quotation marks. For example, I may refer to Shakespeare's "Sonnet XIV", but I would be sure to italicize Romeo and Juliet. The title of any bound (has a cover at the start and end) novel, play, script, or anthology should be italicized in type and underlined if handwritten.

Works Cited

"Geisel, Theodor Seuss." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica

Online School Edition. Web. 8 Nov. 2009.

Seuss Geisel, Theodor. Green Eggs and Ham. Toronto: Harper Collins Inc., 2007. Print.

SPeace 12

Typical Submission Guidelines (digital copy)

· Rubric (with name, date, relevant info at top of sheet filled out in navy/black pen) - submit this to teacher as print copy.

· Final copy of the work (in MLA format)

· Works Cited (review rules of MLA format in the Green Guide - see MLA link in left sidebar)

· Edited Draft 2, Edited Draft 1 (Detailed evidence of self and peer reviews, following tips from the writing process (#4-7)

· Outline (graphic organizer) - tinyurl.com/mrgooutline

· Brainstorming & Research (Digital note-taker and source log from reputable sources) - photographs of hand-written work.

Show process in backwards chronological fashion. Supports for Editing:

Writing Process - See sections on edits / Essay Writing Checklist