Citing: Quick Reference (MLA)

What is a Quotation?

A quotation is exact wording from a source and must signal that the words aren’t yours.
Use quotation marks for short quotes; indent for block quotations (4 lines or more).
Quotations must be integrated into your sentence grammar and include a citation.
Key strategies: use signal phrases to introduce quotes or paraphrases; ensure punctuation and citation are correct.

Quote when the exact wording is needed to preserve meaning, style, tone, or emotion.
Quote to preserve information that would be lost or altered if paraphrased.
Quote to aid conciseness if it’s shorter to quote than to paraphrase for your point.

Quote only as many words as necessary to convey the information or effect.
Guideline: never quote a paragraph when a sentence will do; never quote a sentence when a phrase will do; never quote a phrase when a single word will do.
Examples show variations in length and how to integrate quotes.

A paraphrase restates information from a source with different wording and sentence structure.
May preserve domain-specific vocabulary but should largely differ from the original wording.
Paraphrase should fit the context with your own voice while conveying the same meaning.

Paraphrase when you want to explain or illustrate a point but the exact wording isn’t crucial.
Use paraphrase to maintain your own writing style while conveying the source’s ideas.

Plagiarism occurs when you copy sentence structure and meaning too closely while only changing a few words.
Even with an in-text citation, a near-copy of sentence structure constitutes plagiarism.

Use signal phrases to attribute ideas and distinguish them from your own.
Choose signal verbs that match the stance (e.g., argue, note, emphasize).
Examples:
Paraphrase with signal phrase: "As the author points out, quotations are great, but sometimes paraphrases are better" (DeVries 3).
Quotation with signal phrase: In her diary, the nurse lamented that “one of the most stabbing things in this war is seeing the lines of empty motor ambulances going up to bring down the wrecks who at this moment are sound and ft” (Burton 413).
Some signal phrases do not use a verb, e.g., according to, in the words of, or in the opinion of.

A quotation should be embedded as a part of your own sentence, not standing alone.
Example of embedding: The author states, “…") (Burton 498).
If a quotation is not a complete sentence, integrate it as a phrase within your sentence.

A quoted phrase can function as a verb, subject, object, adjective, or adverb within your sentence.
Omit words with ellipses (…) and/or adjust capitalization and grammar with brackets [ ] without distorting meaning.
Example of embedding with ellipses and brackets: Lessig argues that “[f]ile sharing threatens… the ability of creators to earn a fair return from their creativity” (Lessig 203).

Use quotation marks for direct quotes; use block quotes for long quotations.
Place in-text citations after the final quotation mark.
If the quote follows a reporting verb, a comma typically follows the verb (e.g., As the author wrote, “…” (Lessig 287)).
In limited cases, a colon may introduce a quotation if it restates or identifies the preceding idea.

Plagiarism is using someone else’s work without giving credit.
“Work” includes text, ideas, images, videos, and audio.
Must cite when using exact words, when paraphrasing, or when using others’ media.

Document sources to enhance credibility and allow readers to verify evidence.
Demonstrates you’ve done your homework and engaged with authoritative sources.
Builds a foundation for your argument by linking to prior work and allowing readers to locate sources.

Don’t procrastinate; take careful notes and differentiate word-for-word from your own ideas.
Cite whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or use unusual facts.
Draft with citations in mind; prepare a Works Cited page as you write; cite as you go.
Learn and follow the required citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian); in English, MLA is common.

Information widely accepted or easily verified need not be cited (e.g., common sayings, widely known facts).
If the exact words from a source are used, citation is still required.
What counts as common knowledge can vary by course; when in doubt, ask your professor.

MLA is the citation style used in English.
Different fields use different styles; follow the required format for your assignment.
Brown Library provides MLA guides; librarians can help with non-standard sources.

References provide full bibliographic details: author, title, publication details.
The exact order and punctuation depend on the style, but the goal is to let readers locate the source.
Basic MLA book reference: Author. Title. Publisher, Date.
Basic MLA journal reference: Author. “Title.” Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Date, pages. Database, URL.
Basic MLA webpage reference: Author. “Title.” Website, Date, URL.

Not all sources fit the basic pattern; consult examples and adapt carefully.
Use guides (e.g., Brown MLA InfoGuide, VCU Writes!) and ask librarians for help with non-standard cases.

In MLA, include author or organization and page number if available.
In-text citations appear in parentheses within the text after the cited material.
Example: (Murphy 141).