MLA Overview / Tips

MLA Heading

1.       Your Name

2.       Teacher’s Name

3.       Class

4.       Date

Page Numbers

1.       Last Name & Page # in Top Right Corner

a.       Click on ‘Insert’

b.      Click on ‘Page Number’

                                                              i.      Top of Page

1.       Plain Number 3

                                                            ii.      Type your last name in
In-Text Citations
1.      With a Signal Phrase

a.       The signal phrase at the beginning of the sentence

                                                               i.      EXAMPLE: In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar,

b.      The quote being used in quotation marks

                                                               i.      EXAMPLE: “cowards die a thousand deaths, but the valiant taste death but once”

c.       The page number in parentheses at the end

                                                               i.      EXAMPLE: (24).
In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, "cowards die a thousand
deaths, but the valiant taste death but once" (24).
 
2.      Without a Signal Phrase

a.       The quote being used in quotation marks

                                                               i.      EXAMPLE: “cowards die a thousand deaths, but the valiant taste death but once”

b.      The author’s last name and page number in parentheses at the end

                                                               i.      (Shakespeare 24).
We know that "cowards die a thousand deaths, but the valiant
taste death but once" ( Shakespeare 24).
 
Works Cited

1.       Works Cited

a.       Centered

b.      No underline / italics / bold

2.       Last name, First name. Title of Book. City: Publisher, Date. Print.

3.       Alphabetical order by last name

4.       Reverse indent

a.       1st line = not indented

b.      2nd line and other = indented

5.       EXAMPLE:

Moses, Mister. The Joy of Teaching. Liberty: Dearborn Dreams, 2012. Print.
 
QUICK TIPS:
12 POINT TIMES NEW ROMAN
DOUBLE SPACED
SPACING - BEFORE: 0 pt.  AFTER: 0 pt.
(to fix these things: highlight text, right click, paragraph)
 
 

Help with Dante's Fourfold Method

Dante's Fourfold Method can be tricky. Your goal is to analyze and interpret the text on four different levels. To help you with the process, I have posted some guiding questions and thoughts to assist you with what you are attempting to accomplish.

The literal/historical level is looking for the surface of the story. What is the basic plot line? Are there any historical events that are taking place around this time that would better help us understand the text? Also, look for examples of living conditions, education, laws, typical jobs, crime, etc. of the time period.

The political level is looking for how people relate to one another and the world around them. Are there any "politics" involved in any of the events or actions in the novel? (If I were a hockey coach and my daughter's best friend and you were going after the final spot on the team, would there be any "politics" involved in my decision?") Also think of relationships between majority and minority and the rich and the poor. What are the politics involved in colonization?
The moral or psychological level is looking for how the character/self relates to the realm of ethics. What internal conflicts does our character encounter? Look for evidence of their struggle with their own conscience. Are there any moral issues at play in The Pearl? Is a doctor morally obligated to help any and all persons? Also, think about it from your perspective. Are there any conflicts with your morals in this novel?
The spiritual level is looking at how the character relates to the cosmos. What is the character's role in the grand scheme of things? What are humans' roles in the grand scheme of things? Is there a higher power at work? Is destiny or fate at work? Is there any evidence of faith or of belief? Examples of doubts? Any spiritual elements in Kino's relationship with nature? Also, think about it from your perspective. Anything in common with the character's thinking? Any parts that challenge and/or strengthen your beliefs?