WHERE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON MLA DOCUMENTATION

Please look on the following website if you need help with your Works Cited page:

http://www.studyguide.org/MLAdocumentation.htm

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WORKS CITED PAGE

General Guidelines:

Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.

Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another. The font size should be 12 pt.

Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).

Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.

Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.

Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)

Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.

If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).

Model Parenthetical Documentation

Model Parenthetical Citations

MLA (Modern Language Association) format follows the author-page method of citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear in your works cited list (see Your Works Cited Page, below). The author's name may appear either in the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear in the parentheses, not in the text of your sentence.

Examples:
Direct Quotation with author’s name appearing in the sentence: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).

Direct Quotation without author’s name appearing in the sentence: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Paraphrase with author’s name appearing in the sentence: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

No author’s name given: An anonymous Wordsworth critic once argued that his poems were too emotional ("Wordsworth Is A Loser" 100).

Quotes Project on Macbeth

        QUOTES PROJECT—S. SHAW

You will collect six quotes from the play that are noteworthy from your perspective. You will also select a seventh quote which represents "The Quote of the Play." Then you will write a REFLECTIVE LETTER about the play and your reactions to both it and the annotated passages that you assembled.

 

Procedure for the first 6 quotes:

First, in a well-written paragraph, explain how the passage "fits" into the play (does the passage add to the character development, the plot line, the details of the setting, and so forth). Discuss the importance of the passage to the play's message or meaning or theme.

 

Then, in a well-written paragraph, react to the passage as a reader. Make me understand WHY you have selected this passage. To generate responses, you can consider the following as suggested prompts or questions:

• Why does the passage impress, intrigue, horrify, or puzzle you?
  
• Do you find the playwright's use of language appealing or powerful? Does the passage jump off the page as a great descriptive passage?
  
• Does it prompt a strong response from you as you read it? Does it present itself as so well crafted that you just love the sound of it? Is the language beautiful, descriptive, graphic?
  
• Is it particularly meaningful? Is it a high point in the play?
  
• Do you find yourself in agreement/disagreement with the ideas expressed?
  
• Does the passage remind you of a situation you have lived as well?
  
• Does the passage make you laugh out loud or make you melancholy or make you something else?
  
• Does the playwright or the character raise intriguing questions or issues?
  
• Does the passage challenge or expand your thinking?
  

You are not limited to the above list, nor do I expect you to answer all of the above; but, your responses to the passages should clearly explain to me WHY these passages mean something to you, WHY these passages caught your attention.

Procedure for the 7^th quote:

Select ANOTHER, DIFFERENT passage as "The Quote of the Play": that one passage or quote that captures the essence—the true meaning—of the play for you, the reader. In a well-written paragraph, explain exactly HOW this passage is the one perfect quote from the play.

 

REFLECTIVE LETTER

Lastly, you need to write me a REFLECTIVE LETTER about reading this play and creating your quotes paper. Write to me about the thoughts and feelings and observations and new insights you experienced while reading the play. Write to me about selecting the quotes you selected. Some things to think about for your letter may include:

• Tell me what you worked on the hardest or struggled with in doing this assignment.
  
• Share with me what you think you did well: what worked, really worked.
  
• Show me where you were drawn into the play and where you were pulled away from it. Identify, in your opinion, the playwright's—or the story's—greatest strength and weakness.
  
• Explore what value, besides entertainment, this play has.
  
• Share your overall impressions of the play.
  
• Discuss if you found yourself changing your mind about the play and/or the assignment.
  
• Tell me what you as a reader and as a student need to focus on for the next assignment.
  

Your REFLECTIVE LETTER is your chance to "talk" with me about the play, your project, and your experiences in completing this assignment. With your letter, make me see your work—and your learning—through your eyes.

IMPORTANT STUFF

• All aspects of this assignment must be typed.
  
• Passages must be at least two sentences long. (Many will be longer.)
  
• Passages must be from throughout the entire play, not just from a single act.
  
• All passages must be in quotation marks—and be sure to copy the passage exactly as it appears in the play. (Use the Elizabethean version, not a modern translation!)
  
• All passages must include the page number from which they are taken. Cite page numbers as (235), or (16), or (105).
  
• Late penalties will be given if this project is not handed in on Friday, September 17^, 2010.
  
• The REFLECTIVE LETTER is a required component of this assignment!
  

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE IN CLASS ON FRIDAY, 9/17/10.