Language Center Program, Writing Tips

Volunteer State Community College | Division of Humanities

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MLA Style and Format Questions

Answers to all of the following questions concerning MLA style and format issues are based on information in the 6th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. The Language Center and the Volunteer State Community College library have copies of this book for your use while on campus.

Works Cited Page Entries

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a book?

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a magazine article?

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a journal article?

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a newspaper article?

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a Web page?

• How do I create a Works Cited page entry for a source retrieved from InfoTrac or other electronic database?

In-text Citations

• How do I cite a source retrieved from the Internet?

• How do I cite books and periodical articles not retrieved electronically?

• Where do I place punctuation - before or after the parenthetical citation?

• Where do I place a parenthetical citation?

Format

• What size margins do I use? What line spacing should I use?

• What is the difference between a heading and a header?

• How do I create a header?

• Should I underline the title of my essay?

• Should I use a cover (title) page?

• When is a quotation considered "long"? How do I format a long quotation?

• Should I indent, skip lines, or both between paragraphs?

Punctuation and Grammar

• Do I always need a comma before "and"?

• When should I use a colon?

• Does it make a difference if I use a comma and coordinating conjunction or a semicolon when joining two sentences?

• What are the coordinating conjunctions?

• How do I identify "introductory material" in a sentence?

• How can I tell if a sentence is a run-on (i.e., fusion)?

• Does an apostrophe go before or after the "s"?

• What is a sentence fragment?

• What is a comma splice?

• Can I use contractions (e.g, don't, you'll, they're, etc.)?

• What is the difference between "affect" and "effect"?

• Do "every day" and "everyday" have the same meaning?

• What is the difference between "lay" and "lie"?

• Should I underline or italicize titles?

• What is a passive sentence?

Didn't find the information you needed?  Please call the Language Center at 615-230-3323.  We look forward to helping you!