Report Writing Help
Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Guide
http://www.dbcc.cc.fl.us/library/mlaguide.html
This guide is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 5th ed. (Modern Language Society,
1999.)
Book (one author)
Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton UP, 1957.
In-Text:
(Frye 345-347)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book (two to three authors)
Marquart, James W., Sheldon Eckland Olson, and Jonathan Sorensen. The Rope, the Chair, and the Needle: Capital
Punishment in Texas 1923-1990. Austin: U of Texas P, 1994.
In Text:
(Marquart, Olson and Sorensen 23-26)
For more authors, use: (Marquart et al.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthology
Lopate, Phillip, ed. The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present. New York:
Anchor-Doubleday, 1994.
In-Text:
(Lopate 23)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work in an Anthology
Allende, Isabel. "Toad's Mouth." Trans. Margaret Sayers Peden. A Hammock Beneath the Mangoes: Stories from
Latin America. Ed. Thomas Colchie. New York: Plume, 1992. 82-88.
In-Text:
(Allende 83)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Encyclopedia Article
Work Cited:
"Mandarin." The Encyclopedia Americana. 1994 ed.
In-Text:
("Mandarin")
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journal Article
Scotto, Peter. "Censorship, Reading and Interpretation: A Case Study from the Soviet Union." PMLA 109 (1994):
61-70.
In-Text:
(Scotto 63)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magazine Article
Bender, William H. "How Much Food Will We Need in the Twenty-First Century?" Environment Mar. 1997: 6-11.
In-Text:
(Bender 11)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newspaper Article
Manning, Anita. "Curriculum Battles from Left and Right." USA Today 2 Mar. 1994: 5D.
In-Text:
(Manning 5D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review
Updike, John. "Fine Points." Rev. of The New Fowler's Modern English Usage, ed. R.W. Burchfield. New Yorker
23-40 Dec. 1996:142-149.
In-Text:
(Updike 142)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work of Art
Rembrandt van Rijn. Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer. Metropoltan Museum of Art, New York.
In-Text:
(Rembrandt van Rijn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Television Program
"Yes...but is it Art?" Narr. Morely Safer. Sixty Minutes. CBS. WCBS, New York. 19 Sept. 1993.
In-Text:
("Yes...but is it Art?")
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sound Recording
Marsalis, Branford. Romances for Saxophone. English Chamber Orch. Cond. Andrew Litton. Audiocassette. CBS,
1986.
In-Text:
(Marsalis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWW Home Page
Portuguese Language Page. U of Chicago. 1 May 1997 <http://humanities.uchicago.edu/romance/port/>.
In-Text:
(Portuguese)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online Databases
Fox, Justin. "What in the World Happened to Economics?" Fortune 15 Mar. 1999: 90-102. ABI/Inform Global.
ProQuest Direct.
In-Text:
(Fox, "What in the World...")
[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronic Journals
Denning, Peter J. "Business Designs for the New University." Education Review 31.6 (1996). 23 June 1998 <http:
//educom.edu/web/pubs/review/reviewArticles/31260.html>
In-Text:
(Denning, Business Designs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD-ROMs and Other Portable Databases
The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. CD-ROM. New York: Oxford UP, 1992.
In-Text:
(The Oxford English Dictionary, def. 5c)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other World-Wide Web Resources
To view other electronic or Internet citations, see:
Citing Sources from the World Wide Web in MLA Style
(http://www.mla.org/style/style_top_index.htm)
Evaluating Internet Sources
A Pathfinder prepared by DBCC Library
1. SOURCE
Determine the reason the information was posted.
Is the agenda obvious or hidden?
Look at the URL address – the domain name indicates who is the sponsor:
.org – non-profit organization
.gov – government agency
.edu – educational institution or student account
.com – commercial business for profit (watch out for propaganda)
Presentation – a flashy Web site may be a marketing gimmick – "don’t judge a book by its cover."
2. AUTHORITY
Is the author or organization behind the information identified?
Are there links to a page listing professional credentials or affiliations? Be skeptical if there is no biographical data.
Does the author have the reputable knowledge and expertise on the topic?
3. BIAS / OBJECTIVITY
How credible or reliable is the information?
Where did the information come from? Is the information well supported by valid evidence?
Is the tone subjective or slanted?
4. CURRENCY
Unless you are doing historical research, look for the date the information was modified or the date the site was last
updated.
5. CONSENSUS
How does the site information compare with other sites, print sources, etc.?
Try to verify the same information elsewhere.
Does the information agree or disagree with an accepted point of view?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing The Paper
http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/wrtstr1.htm
· Establish a topic with as narrow and defined topic asther data, etc. and take notes
completely as possible and document sources. Either use index cards or a system in word
processing...
· Organize your notes with a prewriting exercise:
focused freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, and/or outlining
· Write your first s, web sites, journals, diaries, professional reports
· Research:
read, interview, experiment, gather data, etc. and take notes completely as possible and document
sources. Either use index cards or a system in word processing...
· Organize your notes with a prewriting exercise:
focused freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, and/or outlining
· Write your first (rough) draft
Determine how you will develop your argument: Use good logic in a reasoned argument to
develop the theme and/or support the thesis. Will you compare or define? Will you criticize or
describe? See the definitions of writing terms in our Guides.
Your first paragraph
· Introduce the topic!
· Inform the reader of your point of view!
· Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!
· Focus on three main points to develop
Development the story
· Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph
· transition sentences, clauses, or words at the beginning of paragraph connect one idea to
the next (See the page on transitional words and phrases)
· topic sentences in each paragraph, also near the beginning, define their place in the overall
scheme
· avoid one and two sentence paragraphs which may reflect lack of development of your
point
· Keep your voice active
· "The Academic Committee decided..." not "It was decided by..."
· Avoid the verb "to be" for clear, dynamic, and effective presentation (Avoid the verb "to
be" and your presentation will be effective, clear, and dynamic)
· Avoiding "to be" will also avoid the passive voice
· Use quotations to support your interpretations
· Properly introduce, explain, and cite each quote
· Block (indented) quotes should be used sparingly; they can break up the flow of your
argument
· Continually prove your point of view throughout the essay
· Don't drift or leave its primary focus of the essay
· Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait until its time, at the conclusion
Conclusion
· Read your first paragraph and the development
· Summarize, then conclude, your argument
· Refer back (once again) to the first paragraph(s) as well as the development
· do the last paragraphs briefly restate the main ideas?
· reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
· logically conclude their development?
· Edit/rewrite the first paragraph to better set your development and conclusion
·
Take a day or two off!
· Re-read your paper with a fresh mind and a sharp pencil.
· Having someone else read your paper for proofing editing errors that you missed
For the big question: did you accomplish your purpose for your intended audience?
· Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
· Turn in the paper
· Celebrate a job well done, with the confidence that you have done your best.
This last is very important
http://www.dbcc.cc.fl.us/library/mlaguide.html
This guide is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 5th ed. (Modern Language Society,
1999.)
Book (one author)
Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton UP, 1957.
In-Text:
(Frye 345-347)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book (two to three authors)
Marquart, James W., Sheldon Eckland Olson, and Jonathan Sorensen. The Rope, the Chair, and the Needle: Capital
Punishment in Texas 1923-1990. Austin: U of Texas P, 1994.
In Text:
(Marquart, Olson and Sorensen 23-26)
For more authors, use: (Marquart et al.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthology
Lopate, Phillip, ed. The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present. New York:
Anchor-Doubleday, 1994.
In-Text:
(Lopate 23)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work in an Anthology
Allende, Isabel. "Toad's Mouth." Trans. Margaret Sayers Peden. A Hammock Beneath the Mangoes: Stories from
Latin America. Ed. Thomas Colchie. New York: Plume, 1992. 82-88.
In-Text:
(Allende 83)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Encyclopedia Article
Work Cited:
"Mandarin." The Encyclopedia Americana. 1994 ed.
In-Text:
("Mandarin")
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journal Article
Scotto, Peter. "Censorship, Reading and Interpretation: A Case Study from the Soviet Union." PMLA 109 (1994):
61-70.
In-Text:
(Scotto 63)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magazine Article
Bender, William H. "How Much Food Will We Need in the Twenty-First Century?" Environment Mar. 1997: 6-11.
In-Text:
(Bender 11)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newspaper Article
Manning, Anita. "Curriculum Battles from Left and Right." USA Today 2 Mar. 1994: 5D.
In-Text:
(Manning 5D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review
Updike, John. "Fine Points." Rev. of The New Fowler's Modern English Usage, ed. R.W. Burchfield. New Yorker
23-40 Dec. 1996:142-149.
In-Text:
(Updike 142)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work of Art
Rembrandt van Rijn. Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer. Metropoltan Museum of Art, New York.
In-Text:
(Rembrandt van Rijn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Television Program
"Yes...but is it Art?" Narr. Morely Safer. Sixty Minutes. CBS. WCBS, New York. 19 Sept. 1993.
In-Text:
("Yes...but is it Art?")
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sound Recording
Marsalis, Branford. Romances for Saxophone. English Chamber Orch. Cond. Andrew Litton. Audiocassette. CBS,
1986.
In-Text:
(Marsalis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWW Home Page
Portuguese Language Page. U of Chicago. 1 May 1997 <http://humanities.uchicago.edu/romance/port/>.
In-Text:
(Portuguese)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online Databases
Fox, Justin. "What in the World Happened to Economics?" Fortune 15 Mar. 1999: 90-102. ABI/Inform Global.
ProQuest Direct.
In-Text:
(Fox, "What in the World...")
[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronic Journals
Denning, Peter J. "Business Designs for the New University." Education Review 31.6 (1996). 23 June 1998 <http:
//educom.edu/web/pubs/review/reviewArticles/31260.html>
In-Text:
(Denning, Business Designs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD-ROMs and Other Portable Databases
The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. CD-ROM. New York: Oxford UP, 1992.
In-Text:
(The Oxford English Dictionary, def. 5c)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other World-Wide Web Resources
To view other electronic or Internet citations, see:
Citing Sources from the World Wide Web in MLA Style
(http://www.mla.org/style/style_top_index.htm)
Evaluating Internet Sources
A Pathfinder prepared by DBCC Library
1. SOURCE
Determine the reason the information was posted.
Is the agenda obvious or hidden?
Look at the URL address – the domain name indicates who is the sponsor:
.org – non-profit organization
.gov – government agency
.edu – educational institution or student account
.com – commercial business for profit (watch out for propaganda)
Presentation – a flashy Web site may be a marketing gimmick – "don’t judge a book by its cover."
2. AUTHORITY
Is the author or organization behind the information identified?
Are there links to a page listing professional credentials or affiliations? Be skeptical if there is no biographical data.
Does the author have the reputable knowledge and expertise on the topic?
3. BIAS / OBJECTIVITY
How credible or reliable is the information?
Where did the information come from? Is the information well supported by valid evidence?
Is the tone subjective or slanted?
4. CURRENCY
Unless you are doing historical research, look for the date the information was modified or the date the site was last
updated.
5. CONSENSUS
How does the site information compare with other sites, print sources, etc.?
Try to verify the same information elsewhere.
Does the information agree or disagree with an accepted point of view?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing The Paper
http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/wrtstr1.htm
· Establish a topic with as narrow and defined topic asther data, etc. and take notes
completely as possible and document sources. Either use index cards or a system in word
processing...
· Organize your notes with a prewriting exercise:
focused freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, and/or outlining
· Write your first s, web sites, journals, diaries, professional reports
· Research:
read, interview, experiment, gather data, etc. and take notes completely as possible and document
sources. Either use index cards or a system in word processing...
· Organize your notes with a prewriting exercise:
focused freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, and/or outlining
· Write your first (rough) draft
Determine how you will develop your argument: Use good logic in a reasoned argument to
develop the theme and/or support the thesis. Will you compare or define? Will you criticize or
describe? See the definitions of writing terms in our Guides.
Your first paragraph
· Introduce the topic!
· Inform the reader of your point of view!
· Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!
· Focus on three main points to develop
Development the story
· Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph
· transition sentences, clauses, or words at the beginning of paragraph connect one idea to
the next (See the page on transitional words and phrases)
· topic sentences in each paragraph, also near the beginning, define their place in the overall
scheme
· avoid one and two sentence paragraphs which may reflect lack of development of your
point
· Keep your voice active
· "The Academic Committee decided..." not "It was decided by..."
· Avoid the verb "to be" for clear, dynamic, and effective presentation (Avoid the verb "to
be" and your presentation will be effective, clear, and dynamic)
· Avoiding "to be" will also avoid the passive voice
· Use quotations to support your interpretations
· Properly introduce, explain, and cite each quote
· Block (indented) quotes should be used sparingly; they can break up the flow of your
argument
· Continually prove your point of view throughout the essay
· Don't drift or leave its primary focus of the essay
· Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait until its time, at the conclusion
Conclusion
· Read your first paragraph and the development
· Summarize, then conclude, your argument
· Refer back (once again) to the first paragraph(s) as well as the development
· do the last paragraphs briefly restate the main ideas?
· reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
· logically conclude their development?
· Edit/rewrite the first paragraph to better set your development and conclusion
·
Take a day or two off!
· Re-read your paper with a fresh mind and a sharp pencil.
· Having someone else read your paper for proofing editing errors that you missed
For the big question: did you accomplish your purpose for your intended audience?
· Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
· Turn in the paper
· Celebrate a job well done, with the confidence that you have done your best.
This last is very important
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