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Immigrant Experiences: A Selection

Introduction

This webpage introduces you to the MLA Style Handbook, 8th edition, and why it is important to cite your sources and avoid plagiarism. 

Below is an excellent website, Excelsior Online Writing Lab, that has provided quick links to citing various formats when using the MLA Style.

MLA Style Guide - 8th edition

» Excelsior OWL MLA Style
   - MLA Works Cited 
   - MLA In-Text Citations 
   - MLA Style Demo: Videos
» Purdue OWL MLA Style
   - MLA Sample Works Cited Page 
   - MLA Sample Paper
» Works Cited: A Quick Guide (MLA)
» ZoteroBib: Citation Generator

MLA Handbook, 8th Edition.
Ask librarian at Reference Desk

Why is Citing Important?

A citation is an important part of the research process that allows you to give proper credit for the ideas of others and avoid plagiarism. It also allows others to identify and locate the materials used in your work. Many readers rely on citations to identify other relevant literature on a topic. And it demonstrates the depth of your research showing that you have read and engaged the relevant literature on your topic. Citing a source in your research paper also indicates that you have an informed understanding of your subject and enhances the credibility of your findings.

What Needs to be Cited?

Whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another, you must cite the source using either a parenthetical citation, footnote, or endnote. In addition, a References page or Works Cited page is almost always placed at the end of your paper.

Parenthetical citations (also referred to as "in-text citations") are abbreviated citations that direct readers to the full bibliographic citations listed in your Works Cited or References list. In most cases, parenthetical citations include the author's last name and the page number for the information cited.

Footnotes and endnotes contain full bibliographic citations for the first time a source is cited and abbreviated citations (author's last name and page number) for each successive citation. The primary difference between footnotes and endnotes is that footnotes are placed numerically at the foot of the same page where the references are made, while endnotes are placed numerically at the end of the essay on a separate page entitled Endnotes or Notes.