Neolithic &Paleolithic

Getting the Basics: Citing Sources & MLA

MLA

MLA stands for Modern Language Association and it's one of several citation styles that can be used to cite sources. At Windham High School, you will always cite your sources using MLA format unless you are instructed to use another style by your teacher.

There are 3 parts to citing your sources in MLA format:

Formatting your paper
In-text citations
Creating a works cited list with accurate citations

This lesson and guide focus on step 3, but if you'd like more information on the other parts of MLA format, you can visit the MLA Guidelines webpage.

This video provides a quick overview of MLA formatting.

Let's check your citation!

Enter the citation you created to check your accuracy. To bookmark this interactive guide for future use, visit MLA's website.

Getting Organized: Inquiry Cycle

Getting Started!

Follow the Inquiry Cycle and get started. Use this GUIDE to help you along!

Immerse

Consider what you already know about this topic. For a refresher, look back through your class readings and notes. Jot down some ideas and connections you make as you review.

Identify

It's time to select your topics for inquiry. What stands out to you as being the most important inventions of the age you've chosen? Developing keywords will help you solidify your topic and transition you into the IMAGINE phase of the process.

Listing Keywords-Dunn

Imagine

In this phase of the inquiry cycle, you'll imagine the types of materials you will need to find to gather information about your topic. Your keywords will unlock the door to these resources, but starting off with a plan about where you will search and what you are searching for will ensure that you're effective and efficient.

To begin, explore the databases below and look for the types of articles and resources you imagined would be most useful in helping you complete the project.

Gale E-books

Gale eBooks offer digital nonfiction content delivered through a user-friendly platform. Plus, these school eBooks offer unlimited, simultaneous access anytime—with no special downloads or apps.

In Context: High School

Presented at the High School level. Provides support for papers, projects, and presentations that reinforce development of academic skills like critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation. Offers a selection of overviews, primary sources, videos and images.

Academic Search Complete

Academic Search Complete offers an enormous collection of full-text journals, providing users access to critical information from many sources unique to this database. In addition, it includes peer-reviewed full text for STEM research, as well as for the social sciences and humanities. Scholarly content covers a broad range of important areas of academic study, including anthropology, engineering, law, sciences and more.

Create

Now is your chance to pull it all together. You've imagined where you might find information and explored the resources available to you to learn more about your topic. Now you can pull all of the great things you've discovered into the final product. What will you include to demonstrate your newfound understanding of the age you've studied?

Evaluate

Take a look back at what you've written. Now, look at it more closely for things beyond just spelling and grammar. Think about your claims and arguments.

Did you use the information you gathered effectively?
Do you have a variety of sources incorporated, including evidence from expert sources, primary source examples, etc?

Now is your chance to add or remove any information that isn't making your product the best it can be!