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Claudia Q. Sample Professor Noname English Composition 102 12 August 2021 A Sample Paper for Correct Formatting in MLA- 9 The Modern Language Association (MLA) has updated its style handbook to provide substantially more clarity than the previous version with the release of the MLA Handbook Ninth Edition ( MLA- 9 ). As in the prior edition, MLA repeatedly refers to professors’ rights to establish unique formatting requirements for their students within the MLA- 9 (1, 3, 13, 290; see also “MLA Style Center”). However, in order to achieve uniformity and consistency in all courses and programs of study requiring MLA formatting, the administrators of Liberty University have established the formatting rules and standards within this sample paper that students and professors are to follow for all Liberty University class assignments. A significant change in MLA- 9 is the recommendation for using internal headings and subheadings paper to help organize and structure one’s paper (4-5). Headings are not recommended or required for short essays, however. If you do choose to include headings, be sure to include two or more headings of the level(s) you choose to use, since MLA- 9 forbids stand-alone heading levels. Three levels are set forth in the MLA- 9 , with all three presented flush-left (at the left margin): Heading Level 1 Heading Level 2 Heading Level 3
This sample paper contains more headings than would typically be used in an academic
paper so that students can readily search for specific topics as necessary for their particular needs. Below is a list of the available headings in this paper for ease of search-ability; this would
Exhaustive Works Cited Examples ............................................................................................... 22 Additional Helpful Resources ....................................................................................................... 23 Exceptions Used in Sample Paper for Visualization .................................................................... 24 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 24 Paper Set Up (Font, Margins, Left-justified, Line Spacing, Punctuation) The MLA- 9 itself provides basic directives on how to set up or lay out the format of the pages in a research paper. Margins on all four sides of the page must be 1”, for example, with everything double-spaced (including quotes and the works-cited entries). MLA- 9 recommends “an easily readable typeface [e.g., Times New Roman] … in which the regular type style contrasts clearly with the italic” between 11- and 13-point size (1). For the sake of consistency and uniformity, Liberty University requires Times New Romans 1 2 - point font for all class assignments. Papers should be “left-justified” (i.e., only the left margin would line up, and the right margin would have a ragged edge, as shown throughout this paper). Paragraphs should be indented ½” from the left margin. Only one space should be added after closing punctuation before beginning the next sentence (2). Students should be sure that their word processing program is not set to automatically hyphenate words that are too long to appear on one line (“MLA Style Center”). Title Page Format An individual student’s research paper in MLA- 9 format does not include a separate title page (2). Group projects, however, do require a title page that lists all of the student authors’ names ( MLA- 9 3).^1 All pages of the essay or paper must include the author’s last name (all last names in the case of a group paper), followed by one space and the page number in the header at (^1) See the template provided for group papers in our MLA Quick Guide.
the right margin (see top right corner of this page). The first page of the essay or paper itself should always begin with number 1; if you have a separate title page for a group project, it should not be numbered. As shown in the figure below from style.mla.org (and in this sample paper itself), the first page of any individual student’s paper in MLA- 9 format must include separate lines at the left margin with the student’s name, the instructor’s name, the course number, and the date of completion, in day-month-year format (2): . Title of Paper The title of your paper goes on the line of the first page of the body, under the four lines of student/professor details ( MLA- 9 ); it should be centered, with no bolding or italics, and in title case (all major words should begin with a capital letter). Notable Changes from Prior Editions In addition to inclusion of headings and a separate title page for group projects (both mentioned above), MLA- 9 has a few other notable changes. Footnotes are now permitted, sparingly, to clarify or add supplemental details. Though MLA- 9 authorizes placement of footnote content either at the bottom of the page (as in this sample paper) or on a separate page after the reference list ( 290 ), Liberty University recommends that student place them, when used, at the bottom of the page , as shown throughout this paper. Indent the first line of footnotes ½” from the left margin.
Mechanics of Scholarly Prose Chapter 2 of the MLA- 9 is dedicated to the mechanics of prose. This section in the MLA- 9 is extensive and spans 73 pages, which is almost half of the number of total pages (including forematter and index) in the entire previous edition. Topics covered in Chapter 2 include rules on spelling, punctuation, italics, hyphenation, capitalization, names, titles, and numbers. Because there are many individual rules about specific applications, students are encouraged to consult their own copy of the MLA- 9 for detailed rules; these largely follow standard grammar and mechanics rules of scholarly writing and are not necessarily specific to just MLA- 9. Works Cited Introduction and Summary of Formatting MLA- 9 is almost identical to previous editions in regards to formatting and parenthetical citations, but the MLA- 9 expands and enhances the examples of works-cited entries to include virtually every type of resource an author would ever cite. MLA defines the core elements of the works-cited list as including the author(s), title of the source, title of its container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location (20), in that order. These elements are discussed in more detail in the paragraphs that follow and demonstrated visually in the works cited entries themselves. Crediting Your Sources Chapter 6 of the MLA- 9 provides a thorough discussion of in-text citations. MLA- 9 ’s goal regarding in-text citations is to provide “brief, unobtrusive references that direct readers to the works-cited list entries for the sources you consulted and, where relevant, to the location in the source being cited” (227). In-text citations usually require the author’s name and page number, though only the author’s name is required unless a direct quote is included, in which case the location must be included. When the author is unknown, name the title, in quotation marks, as it
appears in the title place in the works-cited entry. “MLA Style Center” is an example throughout this sample paper. No punctuation is required between the author and page number. The author may be named in the text of the sentence itself, or in parentheses after the cited content. For example, Owen studies children with emotional and behavioral disturbances; whereas racial bias must be addressed when teaching on Othello (Bartels). Paraphrasing and Direct Quotes Paraphrasing is rephrasing another’s idea in one’s own words by changing the wording sufficiently without altering the meaning (remember not to just change a word here or there or rearrange the order of the original source’s wording). Quoting is using another’s exact words. Both need to be cited; failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. Paraphrasing Only use quotes when the original text cannot be said as well in your own words or changing the original wording would change the author’s meaning. You cannot simply change one word and omit a second; if you paraphrase, the wording must be substantially different, but with the same meaning. Regardless, you would need to cite the resource you took that information from. For example, Maryse Benoit and others wrote that “although, a link between attachment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms has been established, the mechanisms involved in this link have not yet been identified” (101). A paraphrase for that quote might be: A link between dysfunctional attachment and the development of PTSD has been made, though there is insufficient data to determine exactly how this mechanism works (Benoit et al.). Short Quotes As the direct quote in the previous section demonstrates, the closing punctuation in a
understand that direct quotes should be used sparingly in scholarly writing; paraphrasing is much preferred in scholarly writing, as it demonstrates that you read, understood, and assimilated other writers’ content into one cohesive whole. Author Names of Cited Content Single Author If you name an author in the text of your sentence itself (called a narrative citation), include both the author’s first and last names. For example, according to Christy Owen, “foxes can fly” (17). In subsequent citations or parenthetical citations (where you name the author in parentheses after the cited content), use just the author’s last name: Attachment difficulties have spiritual implications (Owen). Two Authors When naming two authors in a narrative citation, use the word “and” to connect them (and use both their first and last names the first time you mention them, as for a single author). In subsequent or parenthetical citations, use just their last names. For example, Aubrey Perigogn and Pauline Brazel contemplated that... or (Perigogn and Brazel). Three or More Authors Narrative citations of resources with three or more authors follow the same rule of giving the first author’s full name, plus either the phrase “and others” or “and colleagues” ( MLA- 9 232). Parenthetical citations of sources that have three or more authors, include the first author’s last name followed by the words et al. (without italics; MLA- 9 232 ). Et al. is a Latin abbreviation for et alli , meaning “and others,” which is why the word “al.” has a period, whereas “et” does not. For example, Abram Alone and colleagues stipulated that peacocks strut. Every single time I refer to their material thereafter, I would apply MLA- 9 ’s rule of last-name-only plus the
appropriate descriptor: Alone and others, Alone and colleagues, or (Alone et al.). Unknown Author Resources without a known author will name the title in the author’s position ( MLA- 9 237); note that presentation of such titles should mirror the italics and quotation marks around these titles as presented in the works-cited list. Abbreviations of Corporate Author Names and Titles within the Body of the Paper When a corporate author is named parenthetically, “shorten the name to the shortest noun phrase” ( MLA- 9 233) but do not abbreviate any of the words. This rule also applies to titles of sources cited in the body of a paper (237). For example, Owen’s Northern Lights would be spelled out fully each time, since it is comprised solely of a noun and two modifiers; whereas Owen’s Lights of the North can be shortened to Owen’s Lights , since “of the North” is a prepositional phrase that is not part of a noun phrase. Citing Sources Multiple Times in-Text If the same source is cited more than once in a paragraph, with no intervening resources cited between, MLA- 9 authorizes a full citation in the first sentence citing that source, and then only the location number include for other content deriving from that same source in the same paragraph (262). This is a difference from the previous version of MLA and has been demonstrated throughout this sample paper, including in the previous paragraph. Anytime there is any content between cited content in a paragraph, a new citation is required for the sake of clarity. Secondary or Indirect Sources; used for Direct Quotes Published in Other Sources MLA- 9 also addresses rules on secondary or indirect sources on pages 284-285. It favors finding the original source whenever possible, but details how to incorporate an indirect source
Arranging the Order of Resources in Your Citations If the material you cited was referred to in multiple resources, include a footnote and separate the different sets of authors and locations with semicolons, arranged in whatever order seems logical ( MLA- 9 287 ). These can be arranged alphabetically as they appear in the works- cited list or prioritized with the most prominent or relevant for that content placed first. Do not include parentheses, but format them as if for parenthetical citations (using only last names and et al. as appropriate).^4 Two Works by the Same Author in Same Year Cited in the Body of the Paper Authors with more than one work published in the same year are distinguished by adding a title to the citation so the reader can easily identify which resource each citation refers to ( MLA- 9 235 ). For example, this sample paper refers to two resources written by Charles Double in 2008. In “Arranged Alphabetically,” Charles Double details the rules for writing (11). Double also elaborates on subsequent publications (“The Second” 6). Two Works by Two Different Authors with the Same Last Name Cited in the Body of the Paper If you have two or more resources authored by individuals with the same last name in the same year, include those authors’ first names in every narrative citation (not just the first one in each paragraph). In parenthetical citations to such resources, include the author’s first initial and last name, with the title, separated by a comma. For example, James Brown wrote about anteaters and Marilyn Brown discussed verb forms. Anteaters have long snouts (J. Brown, “Anteaters” par. 3). Capricious means “whimsical” (M. Brown, “Capricious” par. 2). Number of Authors in the Works Cited List The same rules apply to the number of authors named in the works cited list as with in- (^4) Owen, figure 1; see also Rackley, 8; De Vries et al., 17; Fried and Polyakova, table 3.
text citations. Resources with only one or two authors will name all of those authors in every citation; resources with three or more authors will only name the first author and add the phrase et al. Dictionaries MLA- 9 advises writers to use just one dictionary for the sake of consistency, such as the Merriam-Webster dictionary (15), which can be accessed at www.merriam-webster.com. Writers should consult that dictionary resource often to check for non-standard plurals (16), determine whether a term requires a hyphen (28, 31), clarify foreign language terms in literary periods and cultural movements (52), determine whether items in a numbered series should be spelled out or enumerated (84), check for offensive terms (93), clarify variant spellings of an author’s name (115), and discern whether and how to properly abbreviate a term (293). Terms and phrases that have not been adopted into the English language should be italicized in the text of a paper; mise en abyme is an example of this. When citing a dictionary entry, name the word searched in quotation marks. For example, “heuristic” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery, or problem-solving by experimental and especially trial-and-error methods.” This sample paper strives to help students avoid learning MLA- 9 formatting through heuristic methods. In the works cited entry, include the form of the word (e.g., N. for noun; Adj. for adjective) and the definition number, if more than one entry for that form of that word (see the works cited entry for “heuristic”). Abbreviations The MLA- 9 includes an extensive list of accepted abbreviations in its first appendix, including all of the books of the Bible, as well as some other classical works (295-301). The
- Driftylons. If your vertical list items are complete sentences, begin each with a capital letter and end with a period; if they are fragments, separate them with semicolons with the word “or” or “and” before the last item, and add a period at the end as demonstrated in the numbered vertical list above. Numbers In MLA- 9 format, when you can use only or two words for a number, spell it out in word format (82); include a dash to combine words for numbers under 100. For example: three two hundred four thousand two-thirds sixty-four eighty-six Use numbers when three or more words are required to state the number other than percentages or money: 31 / 2 106 152 1,112 5,618 8, If your sentence includes a combination of numbers from both of the rules state above (i.e., numbers with only one or two words, as well as numbers with three or more words), express all the numbers in that sentence numerically (MLA- 9 83). For example, only 9 of the 305 students in the graduating class attended the concert. You may combine numerals and words for very large numbers, such as 6.8 million frogs (84). Amounts of money and percentages are spelled out in word format if you use one to three words to express them, and written out numerically if you use four or more words ( MLA- 9 83): six percent fifty-three percent forty-one dollars four hundred dollars $4.62 $936 42.6% 50.3% For numbered street names, use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 8th) and do not superscript the suffix (st, nd, th); see section 2.219 of your MLA- 9. When you begin a sentence with a number, spell
that number out in word format (84), even if your sentence contains a number that is expressed numerically (85). Add a comma for numbers greater than 999 except for page/line numbers, four-digit years, and street addresses (86). Displaying Titles of Works In-Text The names of journals, books, plays, dissertations, films, websites, apps, court cases, and other long works, if mentioned in the body of the paper, are italicized in title case ( MLA- 9 66 - 69 ). When you mention a work that is normally italicized (e.g., a play) as well as the larger work it is published in (i.e., a book with collections of plays), italicize both titles in that sentence (69). Titles of journal articles, lectures, essays, poems, chapters in a book, pages on a website, and songs should be in title case, encapsulated by quotation marks (70). Do not add italics or quotation marks to Scripture, laws, titled categories on websites (such as Ask the MLA; 71).^5 Divisions of a work should be presented in lowercase, with no bolding, italics, or quotation marks (72): act 6, appendix, bibliography, canto 8, chapter 12, list of works cited, preface, scene 2, stanza 11. Personal Communications In MLA- 9 , relevant details for personal communications include the other person, the type of communication, and you as recipient (124). MLA- 9 allows you to name yourself as the recipient or use the term “the author” (without quotation marks). For example: Perrington, Annabelle. E-mail to the author. 8 August 2021. Perrington, Annabelle. E-mail to Christy Owen. 8 August 2021. Rousch, Peyton. Telephone interview with the author. 15 July 2020. Rousch, Peyton. Telephone interview with Christy Owen. 15 July 2020. (^5) https://style.mla.org/sections/ask-the-mla/
version must be cited each time as required for the reader to clearly understand which version was consulted for each citation. Poems When citing poems, include the line(s) as the location, instead of page or paragraph numbers. Spell the word line or lines out (rather than using l. or ll.) so as to avoid confusion with numerals. Shakespeare mourns the relentless passage of time in Sonnet 12: “And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence / Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence” (lines 13- 14). Plays Locations of content from plays include the act, scene, and line(s), in a single string, separated by periods. For example, ( Hamlet 1.5.35- 37 ) refers to Act 1 Scene 5, Lines 35 - 37 of that play. Lectures and PowerPoints For purposes of Liberty University course presentations and lectures (which are not readily available to the public), reference each as a video lecture with the URL (if available) for the presentation, naming the presenter(s) in the author’s position. Include the course number, lecture title, and enough details for others to identify it within that course (including the semester and year the course was taken), in a sort of book format, naming Liberty University as publisher. Peters is an example of this in the works cited list of this paper. If the presenter for a Liberty University class lecture is not named, credit Liberty University as the author; see Liberty University in the works cited list below as an example. Section 6.79 discusses formatting of PowerPoint slides in MLA- 9 format (285). In such projects, citations should appear on each slide to give credit to the content therein, and there
should be a Works Cited list in the last slide. When citing a slide presentation in a class paper, include the slide number as the location. Electronic Sources and Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) MLA- 9 requires inclusion of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in the references whenever available; if not, then a webpage, if available. In keeping with its unification of resources, MLA- 9 now standardizes all DOIs and URLs to be presented in URL format, with the DOI number itself preceded by https://doi.org/ — https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1524838017742386. If no DOI is available copy and paste the URL directly from the web browser unless it is a static hyperlink (one that requires log-on credentials to access, rather than a direct link that is accessible to everyone). Add a period after the DOI or URL in the works cited entries. MLA- 9 does not require authors to break long URLs with soft returns (hold down the Shift key and press the Enter key) at forward slashes, periods, or underscores to avoid unsightly spacing gaps, but it may be best to do so in academic papers. Self-Plagiarism MLA- 9 recognizes that “many schools’ academic honesty policies prohibit the reuse od one’s prior work in papers” (96-97). Indeed, Liberty University has stringent rules against self- plagiarism, as do many scholarly journals. Because students receive grades for their class papers; those who have received feedback and a grade from a prior professor on a prior paper have an advantage over their classmates, both in having the benefit of that feedback/grade and in not having to write a whole paper from scratch during the subsequent class. Student papers are also submitted to SafeAssign or Turnitin to deter plagiarism. For these reasons, Liberty University expressly forbids students using significant portions of a prior paper in a subsequent course (either a retake of the same course or a new class altogether). It is conceivable that students who
