MLA Jeopardy

Fun With Formatting

100

In MLA style, the titles of books, magazines, and Websites should have this type of formatting.

Italics

200

TRUE or FALSE: When citing a work with only one author, the author’s last name should come first.

True. If there is just one author, list his or her last name first. (When there are multiple authors, the rules change).

300

In MLA style, your paper as a whole should have certain formatting characteristics: 1 inch margins, for example. Name at least two more of these characteristics.

Possible answers: Double spacing, A title, A heading. Your last name and page number in the top right corner, Times New Roman font in a standard size (12 point), A list of works cited, Parenthetical citations.

400

Your list of works cited, as a whole, should be formatted according to specific guidelines. For example, the whole list should be double-spaced. Name two more guidelines for your list of works cited.

Possible answers: Alphabetized Center the title “Works Cited” at the top of a new page All entries should have “hanging indentation”

500

TRUE or FALSE If you are citing a website and you cannot find out who the author was, you should put “Author Unknown” (or something similar) for that entry in your list of works cited.

FALSE. When citing web sources, list only the information that is applicable and available. This means that if no author is given, you do not list an author. (However, be sure to look thoroughly for each piece of requested information.)

Name That Source

100

The following is a citation for what type of source? “What Alternatives to Milk are Consumed by Humans?” Milk: Procon.org. Procon.org, 8 April 2008. Web.15 May 2013.

An article from the website procon.org

200

The following is a citation for what type of source: Fischer, Daniel. Mission Jupiter: The Spectacular Journey of the Galileo Spacecraft. New York: Copernicus, 2001. Print.

A print book.

300

You use one of the library’s online research databases to find information for a paper. You find several articles from Newsweek . How should you cite these articles? As print magazine articles, since they also appeared in print. As electronic articles, since you found them using an online database.

As electronic articles, since you found them using an online database. (Always cite the version of the source you actually used unless your teacher has instructed otherwise.

400

The following is a citation for what type of source: Johnson, Carrie. “Report Faults Handling of Wiretap Notes.” Washington Post 2 Sept. 2008. Newspaper Source . Web. 14 Oct. 2013.

The online version of a newspaper article. (This article was found using Newspaper Source, one of the library’s research databases.)

500

In the following citation for a magazine article, what does “Academic Search Premier” refer to? Berman, Sanford. “Time to Renew Darfur Stand.” American Libraries June/July 2007. Academic Search Premier . Web. 14 Oct. 2013.

It is the name of the library research database in which you found the article.

Interpreting In-Text Citations

100

The purpose of in-text citations (AKA parenthetical citations) is: A. To annoy students B. To make it easier for the reader to find the original source C. To establish authority and credibility for your argument and for the facts you are citing

B & C

200

TRUE or FALSE: If you are citing information from a website, you don't have to include a parenthetical citation, since websites don’t have page numbers.

FALSE. If a source does not have page numbers, use the author’s last name for the parenthetical citation. If a source does not have an author OR page numbers, cite the title of the source.

300

TRUE or FALSE: If you paraphrase an author’s words or ideas, you do not need to cite that author in your paper.

FALSE. Even if you re-phrase another author’s idea, you still need to give credit to that person through an in-text citation.

400

What is the correct in-text citation for a quote on page 112 from the book Race Matters by Cornel West? A. (West, p. 112.) B. (Cornel West 112). C. (West 112). D. (Race Matters, 112.)

C. (West 112).

500

TRUE or FALSE If you state a fact in your paper that is considered to be “common knowledge,” you do not need to cite a source for it.

TRUE Information that is considered common knowledge does not need to be cited. “ Common knowledge” is information that is broadly known and not disputed by scholars, such as MLK’s birthday or the date on which the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Partying Like It's MLA

100

TRUE or FALSE If you state a fact in your paper that is considered to be “common knowledge,” you do not need to cite a source for it.

TRUE Information that is considered common knowledge does not need to be cited. “ Common knowledge” is information that is broadly known and not disputed by scholars, such as MLK’s birthday or the date on which the Declaration of Independence was signed.

200

Web, Print, and Film are all examples of what?

A “medium of publication.” All entries in your list of works cited must list a medium of publication. Use Print for: Print versions of books, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, etc. Use Web for: Websites, e-books, articles you find using one of the library’s online research databases, etc.

300

If you are having trouble figuring out how to cite a source using MLA, where can you go for help?

Look in the MLA Handbook, ask your teacher, or ask the librarian. You could also go to owl.english.purdue.edu (A great website from Purdue University)

400

You go online to do research, and you find a good news article on the New York Times website. When you are citing this source, what should the “medium of publication” be?

Web. (Even though the article may also appear in print.)

500

TRUE or FALSE: When you are citing a website, you no longer have to list the URL.

TRUE. Just remember to list the medium of publication.

P-Words

100

When citing a website, you must list the website’s “publisher or sponsor.” Where might you look for that information? Give one example.

Possible places to look: “ About Us” section, Copyright statement on the bottom of the page, or Go to the site’s home page.

200

Another name for in-text citations is what?

Parenthetical citations.

300

Using another person’s words or ideas in your paper without giving that person proper credit is considered what?

Plagiarism.

400

To paraphrase means to: A. Quote an author’s exact wording. B. Summarize or re-phrase an author’s ideas in my own words. C. Use an author’s words without giving her proper credit.

B. Summarize or re-phrase an author’s ideas in my own words.

500

List at least two instances in which you would need to provide a parenthetical citation in your paper.

Possible answers: You use a direct quote. You paraphrase or summarize an author’s idea. You state a fact or statistic that is not considered common knowledge.