What is MLA format and how would you use it in school?
Introduction
At some pointin your education, probably sooner than later, you will be faced with the reality that you must learn to format a research paperaccording to a specified method. For English students, that methodis dictated bytheModern LanguageAssociation of America(MLA). This is the format that you will be required to use in high school, so it makes sense to learn it now!
Task
You and your partner will be assigned a different aspectof the MLA format in which youwill become an "expert". For example you will master Layout or In-Text Citation. You will visit websites which describe MLA expectations in yourarea of expertise, and you will be required to record your findings on a note-taking word document. After you've becomean "expert," you will join your partner to share your findings. Finally, you willcreate apower point presentation that explains the MLA Format in student friendly terms. The best PowerPoint will be posted on the Digi-Tools web page as an instructional resource for future students to access and learn from.
Process
Step 1
As the resident expert, your task is to visit the appropriate sites below to fully research and learn about your MLA feature. Get a general background in your field and then use the guiding questions to decide which information might be important to share with your partner and the rest of the class.
Guiding Questions for Layout experts:
What are measurements for the margins in specific parts of the page?
The MLA is very specific about their accepted page layout. These sites will help you gain an understanding of how to set up a page in the MLA format.
- Pudue's Owl on page layouthere
- For visuals lookhere
- For help with workin with Microsoft Word lookhere
- What font and sizes are acceptable?
- What information is found in the heading? How is that info ordered?
- How should the paper be paginated?
- Do you underline your title?
Guiding Questions for In-Text Citation Experts:
What are the basic parts of a parenthetical citation?
When should you use a parenthetical citation?
How are in-text citations set apart from the main text?
Whendo you include an author's name in a parenthetical citation?
In text citation can get a little bit tricky. Theselinkswill help figure out the most important parts.
The basics of in-text citation arehere
Specific examples of various in-text citation scenarios can be foundhere
EXTRA CREDIT: Works Cited Page
Guiding Questions for Works Cited Page experts:
How is the works cited page set up?
What is different about the indentation?
How are the entries ordered?
What are the specific elements of a works cited entry for various types of sources?
The work cited page is the most detail oriented part of the MLA format. Yet once you've learned the details, creating an acceptable works cited page is really simple. These links will show the in's and out's of the works cited page.
The basic format can be foundhere
Examples of various types of entries are availablehere
An example of afull works cited page ishere
Step 2: Now that you’re an expert, it’s time to officially format an MLA document! Use your expert status to rock this thing!!