Science Fair: MLA Format

Use NoodleTools to keep track of all of your research in one place: sources, notes, outline AND paper!

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Make sure you are logged in to Google through one of their apps (Mail, Classroom, Drive, etc.) 
2. Click the Apps waffle.
3. Select the NoodleTools icon towards the bottom. You will be automatically logged in through Google. 

***Important: Your teachers want to see the URL in your citation. Make sure you use the permalink for all database articles.

If you choose not to use Noodle Tools, you will find lots of help with citing your sources on the sites below.

Type your annotation directly into NoodleTools to ensure correct formatting.

Each annotation should be 4-5 sentences long and contain three parts. Here are some questions to get you thinking about how to address each part.

Establish credibility of source:

• Who is behind the information and what is their area of expertise?
• What is the purpose or why was it written?
• Who is the intended audience

Establish relevance of source:

• How will this source help your argument?
• What ideas or points will I use in my argument?

Summary of source:

• What are the main idea(s) of the article? Put them in your own words.

ALWAYS DOCUMENT YOUR SOURCE WITH IN-TEXT CITATIONS WHEN YOU:

• use information from one of your sources, whether you quote or paraphrase it
• summarize information from one of your sources
• use factual information that is not common knowledge*
• quote directly from a source
• use a date, fact or statistic that might be disputed

Usually only the author's last name (OR, if no author, the title) and page number are given. Do not use the word "page" or any abbreviations. Page numbers may be omitted if the source is a one-page article or an internet source which does not include paging.

* Common knowledge is information that recurs in multiple sources. If you are not certain it is common knowledge, cite it to be on the safe side!

→ NoodleTools Tip: On the Sources page, there is an Options button to the left of your citation. Choose "In-text reference" to see a sample in-text citation for that particular source.

RULES FOR USING IN-TEXT CITATIONS (MLA style)

1. Cite the author's last name and page number in parentheses.

2. If there are multiple titles by the same author, cite the author's last name, title and page.

3. If the author and title are identified in the text, cite only the page number.

4. If there is no author, cite title and page number.

5. If there is no numbering (common with internet sources), cite only the author - or title, if there is no author - in parenthesis. If the title is very lengthy, you may use only a few keywords from the title. Do not use the URL in in-text citations.

6. If you are citing an indirect source (a quote within a source), you must identify it with "qtd. in"

From formatting your paper (1 inch margins, heading, title, etc) to in-text citations, there are many rules to follow.