How to Cite Your Sources

Although there are several methods used to cite sources, at the Rose and Alex Pilibos School most teachers use the MLA styl e, the method authorized by the Modern Language Association.

Citing sources in research papers is important for two reasons. One, your teachers will know which resources you used to find your information. Two, if you want to retrace your steps to a source from which you need additional information, you will know how to get there.
The following is a list of citations which are most commonly used in research papers. If you need to cite sources that are not listed here, please consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers in the Pilibos School library.
Citing Print Sources; using MLA style
Books with One Author
Myerhoff, Barbara. Number Our Days . New York: Simon and Schuster, 1980.
Books with More Than One Author
Bode, Janet and Stan Mack. Hard Time: A Real Look at Juvenile Crime and Violence . New York: Delacorte Press, 1996.

Edited Books

Finch, Robert and John Elder, eds. Nature Writing . New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1990.

Encyclopedias or Articles from Reference Books

"Constitution of the United States." World Book Encyclopedia . 1999 ed.

Newspaper Articles

Wright, Robin. "Clinton Urges Dialogue on Globalization." Los Angeles Times 30 Jan. 2000: A1+.

Articles in Monthly Magazines

Carlson, Shawn. "The Amateur Scientist." Scientific American Jan. 2000: 94-96.

Articles in Weekly Magazines

Lacayo, Richard. "Health Care: A Litmus Test." Time 31 Jan. 2000: 38-40.

Citing Internet and Electronic Resources; using MLA style

World Wide Web Sites

Facing History . 1998. Facing History and Ourselves National Foundation. 23 Mar. 2000 www.facing.org.

Online Images, Sounds, or Video Clips

Guth, Ingrid. "Finding Proper Citations on your Library Website." CNN. 29 Oct. 2002. 16 Jan. 2003 www.cnn.com/videoselect.

Personal World Wide Web Site

Perloff, Scott. School home page. Milken Community High School. 26 Jan. 2000 www.mcshschool.org/~sperloff.

Book Excerpts from the Web

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . Ed. Henry Churchyard. 1996. 10 Sept. 1998 www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html.

Article in a Reference Database (such as on-line encyclopedias)

"Armenia." Encyclopædia Britannica Online . 27 Jan. 2000 <http://www.search.eb.com>.

Article in an Online Magazine or Newspaper

Landsburg, Steven E. "Who Shall Inherit the Earth?" Slate 1 May 1997. 2 May 1997 www.slate.com/Economics/97-05- 01/Economics.asp.

Article from a CD-ROM

"Yitzhak Rabin." Encyclopedia Judaica . CD-ROM. Philadelphia: Coronet, 1999.

* The preferred heading for an MLA bibliography is: Works Cited.

** All MLA references are to be double spaced and indented.