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MLA

Modern Language Association Workshop

Part II: The Mechanics of Writing

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Overview

1. Language2. Spelling3. Punctuation4. Italics5. Numbers6. Quotations7. Basics of scholarly writing

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1. Language

Match your language to your audience Use direct, clear, and persuasive language Avoid repetitions and unnecessary words Use active verbs whenever possible Avoid offensive or biased language

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2. Spelling

Spelling, including hyphenation, should be consistent

Your computer’s spelling check is not always reliable

A good dictionary is your best resource

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3. Punctuation

Punctuation makes your sentences clearer It makes them easier to read Review the basic rules of punctuation A good source is the University of Purdue’s

page on punctuation http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/

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4. Italics

Italicize the names of books, periodicals, Web sites, online databases, films, TV and radio broadcasts, operas, works of visual art…

Italicize foreign words in an English text Avoid italicizing for emphasis, particularly in

research papers

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5. Numbers

Spell out numbers written in one or two words (one, three hundred, three million)

Use numerals for all others (101 and 1,563) Do not begin a sentence with a numeral Spell out centuries in lowercase (twentieth

century) Always be consistent throughout your paper

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6a. Quotations

Prose For a quotation of four lines or less: make it

part of your text and put it in quotation marks For more than four lines: set them off from

the text with a new line, one inch from the left margin, double-spaced, and without quotation marks

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6b.Quotations

Poetry Three lines or less are in quotation marks,

and part of your text. Use a slash with a space on each side to separate them.

Three lines or more begin on a new line, double-spaced, and one inch from the left margin.

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6c. Quotations Use an ellipsis whenever you omit words

from the source Within a sentence: “I came, … I conquered.” At the end: “I came, I saw, ….” At the end + reference: “I came, I saw, …”

(52). Use square brackets whenever you add your

own comment/explanation within the quotation.

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6d.Quotations (and punctuation)

Generally use a colon or a comma before the quotation

For a quote within a quote, use single quotation marks within double quotation marks

Usually, commas and periods belong inside the quotation marks, whereas all other punctuation marks go outside

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7. Basics of scholarly writing

Start on your project early Read the assignment carefully Prepare a solid outline Pay special attention to the Introduction and to

the Conclusion Avoid generalizations Be willing to revise several times

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For more information

The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition).

The MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition).