This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
If a quotation runs no more than four lines, put it in double quotation marks and incorporate it into the text. Put single quotation marks around quotations that appear within those quotations. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical reference.
There are no quotation marks around the quotation. The period at the end of the quotation comes before your in-text citation as opposed to after, as it does with regular quotations.
When quoting place quotation marks (" ") around the selected passage to show where the quote begins and where it ends. Make sure to include an in-text citation. Paraphrasing is used to show that you understand what the author wrote. You must reword the passage, expressing the ideas in your own words, and not just change a few words here and there.
The title format should match the Works Cited page format. If a title is in quotation marks on the Works Cited page, it should be in quotation marks in the in-text citation.
For example, the Kirkey article you are reading includes a quotation by Smith that you would like to include in your essay. The basic rule is that in both your Works-Cited List and in-text citation you will still cite Kirkey.
When you quote directly from a source, enclose the quoted section in quotation marks. Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number, like this: "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8). "Here's a direct quote" ("Trouble" 22). Note: The period goes outside the brackets, at the end of your in-text citation. Example:
Correct MLAquotations use clear signal phrases, double quotation marks, and author-page citations that match your works cited list. Many students know they need quotes but feel unsure about the exact rules for MLA. Short passages, long blocks, poetry, and dialogue each follow a slightly different pattern.
When writing a research paper or other report, you may find that you want to quote directly from a source. The Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific formatting guidelines for including direct quotes in your work. These guidelines...
In conjunction with the explanations about structuring and formatting in–text citations detailed here, this page provides example citations for how a range of different source types are correctly referenced according to MLA’scitation guidelines.
When writing a research paper or other report, you may find that you want to quote directly from a source. The Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific formatting guidelines for including direct quotes in your work. These guidelines...