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MLA Documentation Style

Adapted from: Writing Resources Center


http://wrc.uncc.edu/

Integrating Sources & Avoiding Plagiarism

Writers need to understand current definitions of plagiarism, which have changed over time, and which differ from culture to culture.

Adapted from: Lunsford, Andrea. The Everyday Writer . 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2004. Print.
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What is Plagiarism?

In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone elses language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.

This definition applies to texts published in print or online, to manuscripts, and to the work of other students.

Plagiarism Is a Cultural Concept

Many cultures do not recognize Western notions of plagiarism, which rest on the belief that language and ideas can be owned by writers. In many countries other than the U.S., using the words and ideas of others without attribution is considered a sign of respect as well as an indication of knowledge.

What is NOT Plagiarism?

Most current discussions of plagiarism fail to distinguish between plagiarism and misuse of sources. A student who attempts (even if clumsily) to identify and credit his or her source, but who misuses a specific citation format or incorrectly uses quotation marks or other forms of identifying material taken from other sources, has not plagiarized. Instead, the student has failed to cite and document sources appropriately.

Materials That Require Acknowledgement

Quotations, paraphrases, summaries Facts not widely known or claims that are arguable Help provided by others

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

Quoting: You present the ideas and the wording of a source, unchanged from the original (placed within quotation marks and cited) Paraphrasing: You present the ideas of a source unchanged, but you express them in your own writing style (doesnt need quotation marks, but still should be cited) Summarizing: You present the important ideas of a source in briefer form and in your own writing style (doesnt need quotation marks, but still should be cited)

Materials That Do NOT Require Acknowledgement


In academic writing in the U.S., you should credit all materials except:

Common knowledge Ideas available in a wide variety of sources Your own findings from primary or field research

Understand Reasons to Credit Sources

Show that you are a knowledgeable and credible researcher. Demonstrate fairnessthat you have considered multiple points of view. Provide background for your research by placing it in the context of the work of others. Help readers follow your thoughts and understand how your ideas relate to those of others. Point readers where to go to find more information on your subject.

IN-TEXT CITATIONS

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Sample In-text Citations

Basic Format for an in-text citation:


(Authors last name page number).

After a Direct Quotation:


In the debate over toothpaste brands, Nine out of ten doctors choose Crest (Mills 106).

After a Paraphrase:
In arguments regarding brands of toothpaste, a majority of doctors picked Crest (Mills 106).

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Sample In-Text Citations

When using sources in your paper, you may refer to the author in the beginning of the sentence setting up a quote, paraphrase or summary. In this case you only need to cite the page number:
In the debate over toothpaste brands, Mills says Nine out of ten doctors choose Crest (106).

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Sample In-text Citations

Quotations more than 4 lines are indented 1 inch with no quotation marks and double-spaced. The punctuation comes before the citation.
A recent study found the following: The placebo effect, which had been verified in previous studies, disappeared when behaviors were studied in this manner. Furthermore, the behaviors were never exhibited again, even when real drugs were administered. Earlier studies were clearly premature in attributing the results to a placebo effect. (Miele 276)
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In-text Citations: Special Cases

If the source has no known author, then use an abbreviated version of the title
Full title: California Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers Citation: (California 56)

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Internet Sources
Direct Quotations: Use the original sources language verbatim (word for word) and include quotation marks as well as an in-text citation.
Print source: A traffic ticket is a public document because it is: (a) a document issued by a public employee during the conduct of public business, (b) a record stored in a government database, and (c) an exhibit in a legal proceeding (Harrington 7). Internet source: A traffic ticket is a public document because it is: (a) a document issued by a public employee during the conduct of public business, (b) a record stored in a government database, and (c) an exhibit in a legal proceeding (Harrington par. 3).

Note that a page or paragraph number appears in the citation.

QUOTING, PARAPHRASING, AND SUMMARIZING


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Proportion: Using Quotations Sparingly


Novice writers may be tempted to over-quote. Over-quoting tends to weaken an argument:


The essay will tend to ramble and consequently will lack focus The author may inadvertently reveal a very unpersuasive lack of self-confidence

Quote only those parts of others writing that relate to your claim. Quote only when necessary for establishing authority, making a clarification, providing context, pinpointing a controversy, creating a dramatic effect, or showcasing eloquence. Use paraphrasing and summarizing whenever possible.

Avoiding Misuse of Sources

Frequently, students unintentionally misuse sources when they attempt to paraphrase: to rephrase someone elses ideas into your own words and sentence patterns.

Paraphrasing

Samples to Review: Original Sentence: The number of students entering UNC Charlotte has grown during the last 30 years.

Author John White

Page: 33

Paraphrased Sentence in MLA citation style: Over the past three decades, UNC Charlotte experienced increased student enrollment (White 33).

Paraphrasing
The rise of industry, the growth of cities, and the expansion of the population were the three great developments of late nineteenth century American history. As new, larger, steam-powered factories became a feature of the American landscape in the East, they transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and provided jobs for a rising tide of immigrants. With industry came urbanization, the growth of large cities (like Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Bordens lived), which became the centers of production as well as of commerce and trade.

Williams, Joyce G., Eric Smithburn, and M. Jeanne Peterson, eds. Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s. Bloomington, IN: TIS Publications, 1980. Print.

An Unacceptable Paraphrase Is Too Close to the Original


The increase of industry, the growth of cities, and the explosion of the population were three large factors of nineteenth century America. As steam-driven companies became more visible in the eastern part of the country, they changed farm hands into factory workers and provided jobs for the large wave of immigrants. With industry came the growth of large cities like Fall River where the Bordens lived, which turned into centers of commerce and trade as well as production.

Acceptable Paraphrase
According to Williams, Smithburn, and Peterson, Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was typical of northeastern industrial cities of the Nineteenth century. Steam-powered production had shifted labor from agriculture to manufacturing, and as immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found work in these new factories. As a result, populations grew, and large urban areas arose. Fall River was one of these manufacturing and commercial centers (200).

Williams, Joyce G., Eric Smithburn, and M. Jeanne Peterson, eds. Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s. Bloomington, IN: TIS Publications, 1980. Print.

What Makes a Good Paraphrase?

Uses your own words and sentence patterns Demonstrates your inferential thought processes Rather than being merely a faithful reproduction of the ideas in source text, an effective paraphrase is one that expresses your perspective. Includes a citation.

Acceptable Paraphrase with Quotation


According to Williams, Smithburn, and Peterson, Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was typical of northeastern industrial cities of the nineteenth century. As labor shifted from agriculture to manufacturing, the demand for workers transformed farm hands into factory workers, and created jobs for immigrants. In turn, growing populations increased the size of urban areas. Fall River was one of these manufacturing hubs that were also centers of commerce and trade (200).

Williams, Joyce G., Eric Smithburn, and M. Jeanne Peterson, eds. Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s. Bloomington, IN: TIS Publications, 1980. Print.

Paraphrasing Accurately

Include all main points, in the order of the original. State the authors meaning in your own words and sentence structures. If you use language from the original, enclose in quotation marks. Include an in-text citation. Provide a complete citation in your Works Cited.

INCORPORATING OUTSIDE MATERIAL

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Incorporating Outside Material

When incorporating outside material, the Framing technique can situate outside material into your text clearly:

Introduce the material. Give the quote or paraphrase. Explain (or respond to) the material and how it relates to, or proves, the point you are making.

Paraphrasing

Incorporating paraphrasing into your paragraphs: Paraphrased sentence: Over the past three decades, UNC Charlotte experienced increased student enrollment (Smith 33). Your paragraph: Because I am new to the area, I decided to learn about UNC Charlottes past. I interviewed John Smith, a Charlotte historian about the schools history. Through this interview, I found out that over the past three decades, UNC Charlotte experienced increased student enrollment (Smith 33). This news was interesting because I did not know that our school grew so much over the past 30 years.

Paraphrasing Practice

Synopsis: You are writing a paper for English arguing that everyone on campus should get a flu shot. Below is a direct quote from one of Miss Eakers students from your interview. Original Material: Miss Eakers class was canceled last Friday because she came down with the flu. Student: Jennifer Pooler Paraphrase Sentence Use the Framing Technique to incorporate your paraphrase into a paragraph.

1) 2)

MLA Documentation Resources

UNCC Writing Resources Center (WRC) Purdue U. Online Writing Lab (OWL) UNCC Atkins Library

Writing Resources Center (WRC)


Locations: 220 Fretwell 109 Atkins Library Appointments: Phone: Web: http://wrc.uncc.edu/

http://rich65.com/uncc/
704-687-HELP (4357) E-mail:

wrchelp@uncc.edu

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