Video on How to Cite in MLA (including hanging indents)!
Why cite
It may seem like citing your sources is tedious but there are many reasons to do it.
Documenting your sources:
- Helps you avoid plagiarizing.
- Allows the reader to find your research sources. Think of citations as footprints leading the reader through some of the steps you took to reach your conclusions.
- Provides evidence for your arguments and adds credibility to your work by demonstrating that you have sought out and considered a variety of viewpoints on a given topic.
- Is standard practice for scholars and students engaged in written academic conversations.
What to cite
Always cite other people's words, ideas and other intellectual property that you use in your papers or that influence your ideas. This includes but isn't limited to:
- Anything that you read in any format like books, journal articles, web pages, etc.
- Anything that is presented or spoken like speeches, lectures, personal interviews, performances, etc.
- Other works like films, songs, dramatic performances, etc. that are the intellectual property of someone else
Common Knowledge: EVERYONE knows that; it's a fact!
You don't need to cite what would be considered common knowledge., such as facts, events, concepts, etc. that are widely known and accepted as true.
For example if you wrote, "George Washington was the first president of the United States," this wouldn't need to be cited because it's an accepted fact, or common knowledge.
How to cite
Two techniques of citing are:
- Works Cited: Providing a list of citations at the end of the paper
- In-text Citations: Citing within the text of the paper
These two techniques are used together.
Works Cited: The list of sources at the end of the paper
In-text Citations: How to Cite inside the paper
