The MLA Style is the primary documentation system used in the Humanities. Refer to Writing Analytically Chapter 9 for more information on documentation and other styles used by other disciplines. The MLA style has two different kinds of notation. One is used within the essay and the other consists of a bibliography of all works used at the end of the essay. The following examples are taken from Rosenwasser and Stephen, Writing Analytically 179-181.

Tannen has argued this point (178-85).

This point supports the need for further analysis of the term "subversive" (Tannen 178-85).

If the author has more than one work in your bibliography, do the following:

This point supports the need for further analysis of the term "subversive" (Tannen, Works 178-85).

This is a very simple list of possible sources. For more information see the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Ask for help in the library or in the writing center.

These are used when you have a point that does not fit into your essay, but you feel it is important enough to mention.

¹It is interesting to note that Machiavelli says the opposite in chapter 2 page 5: "For I….believe[d] that this…."

• This is used at the end of your essay to list all of the sources that you used. Some lists are entitled "Works Cited." These include only the books and articles that you actually cited.

Author, Jane. Any Old Title. City: Publisher, 1995.

Author, Jane. "The Articulate Article." The Scholarly Collection. Ed. Tom Jones. City: Publisher, 1995. 140-141.

Author, Jane. "This Article." Metropolis Quarterly 35.3 (1995): 12-26. The numbers 35.3 refer to the following: 35 = volume number 3 = issue three

Article in a Reference Book

"Azimuthal Equidistant Projection." Mirriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. 1993.

"Ginsburg, Ruth Bader." Who's Who in America. 48th ed. 1994.

It’s a Wonderful Life. Dir. Frank Capra. Perf. James Stewart, Donna Reed. RKO, 1946.

Performer names are optional. RKO = the studio.

For citing Internet and Electronic Resources, see the excellent brochure on this topic put out by the Writing Center and available there or in the Ames Library.

Beethoven, Ludwig van. Symphony no. 8 in F, op. 93.

Berlioz, Hector. Symphonie fantastistique, op. 14.