MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a system of citing and referencing sources used by writers in the humanities, particularly in the fields of literature, languages, and cultural studies. One of the key features of MLA style is the use of in-text citations to give credit to the sources that inform a writer's work. In this essay, we will take a look at an example of an essay that uses MLA citation style and explore some of the key elements of the citation process.
The essay we will be using as an example is titled "The Role of Education in the Modern World" and is written by a student named Jane Doe. The essay discusses the importance of education in today's society and how it can shape an individual's future.
In the introduction of the essay, Jane Doe cites a quote from the philosopher Aristotle to support her argument that education is a fundamental human need. The quote is presented as follows:
"Education is the best provision for old age." - Aristotle
To properly cite this quote in MLA style, Jane Doe includes the author's name (Aristotle) and the source of the quote (in this case, a book titled "The Politics") in parentheses after the quote. She also includes the page number where the quote can be found in the source. The full in-text citation would look like this:
"Education is the best provision for old age." (Aristotle, The Politics, p. 45)
In the body of the essay, Jane Doe continues to use in-text citations to support her argument and provide additional evidence. For example, she cites a study conducted by the Department of Education on the relationship between education and income. The citation for this source would look like this:
According to a study conducted by the Department of Education, "individuals with a college degree earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma" (Department of Education).
In this case, Jane Doe does not include the page number because she is citing the study as a whole, rather than a specific quote or piece of information.
At the end of the essay, Jane Doe includes a Works Cited page that lists all of the sources she used in her essay. Each source is listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name and includes all of the necessary information for the reader to find the original source. Here is an example of how the Works Cited entry for the Department of Education study would look:
Department of Education. "The Relationship Between Education and Income." Department of Education, 2020.
As we can see, MLA citation style is a straightforward and easy-to-use system for crediting the sources that inform a writer's work. By using in-text citations and including a Works Cited page, writers can ensure that their work is properly credited and that their readers can easily access the original sources.