Example Of A Quote In Mla Format
When writing a research paper or academic essay, it is essential to cite sources correctly to avoid plagiarism. MLA (Modern Language Association) is a popular citation style used in humanities, literature, and language studies. One of the essential elements of an MLA citation is a quote, which can be used to support an argument or provide evidence for a claim. In this article, we will provide an example of a quote in MLA format.
What is MLA Format?
MLA format is a widely used citation style for academic writing. It was developed by the Modern Language Association to provide a uniform way of citing sources in research papers and other academic works. MLA format includes guidelines for in-text citations, works cited pages, and formatting the document itself. It is commonly used in humanities fields such as literature, language studies, and philosophy.
What is a Quote?
A quote is a word-for-word excerpt from a source that is used in a research paper or essay. Quotes can be used to support an argument, provide evidence for a claim, or illustrate a point. In MLA format, quotes are enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by an in-text citation that includes the author's name and page number.
Example of a Quote in MLA Format
Suppose you are writing a research paper on the effects of social media on mental health. You find a quote from a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology that supports your argument. The quote is:
"Our results suggest that higher levels of social media use are associated with greater levels of depression and anxiety."
To include this quote in your research paper in MLA format, you would:
- Enclose the quote in double quotation marks
- Include an in-text citation that includes the author's name and page number (Smith and Jones 48)
- List the source in your works cited page using the MLA format
MLA Format for In-Text Citations
In MLA format, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of a quote, paraphrase, or summary within the text of a research paper or essay. The in-text citation includes the author's name and the page number(s) where the information was found. It is placed in parentheses at the end of the quote or paraphrase.
For example:
"Social media use is associated with depression and anxiety." (Smith and Jones 48)
If the author's name is already mentioned in the text, you only need to include the page number(s) in the in-text citation:
According to Smith and Jones, "higher levels of social media use are associated with greater levels of depression and anxiety" (48).
MLA Format for Works Cited Page
The works cited page is an alphabetical list of all the sources cited in your research paper or essay. It includes the author's name, the title of the source, the publication date, and other relevant information. In MLA format, the works cited page is formatted using hanging indents, meaning that the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented.
For example:
Smith, John, and Jane Jones. "The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, vol. 25, no. 1, 2019, pp. 45-62.
Conclusion
Proper citation is essential in academic writing to give credit to the sources you use and avoid plagiarism. MLA format is a widely used citation style that provides guidelines for in-text citations, works cited pages, and formatting the document itself. When using a quote in MLA format, be sure to enclose it in quotation marks and include an in-text citation that includes the author's name and page number. Additionally, list the source in your works cited page using the MLA format.
