Master MLA Formatting for Prose in Anthologies

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding MLA Formatting
   1. In-Text Citation
   2. Works Cited Entry
3. Incorporating Evidence in the Body of the Paper
   1. Using Signal Phrases
   2. Using Direct Quotes
4. Formatting Works Cited Entry
   1. Anthology Entries
   2. Including Edition Numbers
   3. Multiple Editors
5. Navigating the "Owl at Purdue" Style Guide
6. Tips for Citing Different Types of Sources
   1. Books with Single Authors
   2. Books with Multiple Authors or Editors
   3. Essays or Short Stories in Anthologies
   4. Journals Articles
   5. Websites
7. Conclusion

How to Cite a Work of Prose in an Anthology using MLA Formatting

MLA formatting is commonly used in academic writing, and knowing how to correctly cite sources is essential for maintaining academic integrity. When it comes to citing a work of prose, such as an essay or a short story, that is found in an anthology, there are specific guidelines that need to be followed. This article will guide you through the process of incorporating evidence into your paper using MLA formatting while also providing helpful tips for formatting your works cited entries.

Introduction

In academic writing, it is important to properly cite sources to give credit to the original authors and allow readers to locate the original work. MLA formatting is a widely accepted citation style that is commonly used in the humanities. When citing a work of prose found in an anthology, there are specific rules and guidelines that need to be followed. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate evidence into your paper using MLA formatting and how to format your works cited entries correctly.

Understanding MLA Formatting

In-Text Citation

The first step in incorporating evidence into your paper is to create in-text citations. In-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of your evidence and provide the reader with enough information to locate the original work. There are different ways to create in-text citations, depending on whether you choose to use a signal phrase or a parenthetical citation.

When using a signal phrase, you introduce the author's name in the sentence and provide the page number of the evidence at the end. For example, in the sentence "In Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado,' the reader knows that Fortunato 'shall not die of a cough' (15)," the author's name is introduced in the signal phrase and the page number is provided at the end of the quote.

Alternatively, you can use a parenthetical citation to include the author's name and page number directly after the quote. For example, "A key point of irony is the statement 'I shall not die of a cough' (Poe 15)." Both methods are acceptable, so choose the one that fits your writing style.

Works Cited Entry

Once you have incorporated evidence into the body of your paper, you need to provide a works cited entry at the end. The works cited entry allows the reader to locate the original work and verifies the accuracy of your citations. When citing a work of prose found in an anthology, there are specific guidelines to follow.

First, you need to include the author's last name, first name, and the title of the essay or short story in quotes. Next, you need to include the title of the anthology in italics. If you are using a specific edition of the anthology, include the edition number after the title. Finally, if the anthology has multiple editors, add "et al." after the name of the first editor.

By following these guidelines, you can create accurate and properly formatted works cited entries for the essays or short stories found in anthologies.

Conclusion

Incorporating evidence from works of prose found in anthologies in your academic writing requires proper citation using MLA formatting. By following the guidelines for in-text citations and works cited entries, you can maintain academic integrity and provide readers with the necessary information to locate the original works. Remember to consult the "Owl at Purdue" style guide for specific templates and examples for different types of sources. Citing sources correctly not only showcases your research skills but also demonstrates your respect for the intellectual property of others.