MLA Citation Knowledge Quiz

1. For in-text citations, the author's last name and page number should be included in the in-text citation.

True

False

The explanation for the given correct answer "True" is that when using in-text citations, it is important to include the author's last name and page number. This helps to properly credit the original source and allows readers to easily locate the specific information being cited. By including this information in the in-text citation, it also helps to avoid plagiarism and provides a clear indication of where the information came from.

Explanation

The explanation for the given correct answer "True" is that when using in-text citations, it is important to include the author's last name and page number. This helps to properly credit the original source and allows readers to easily locate the specific information being cited. By including this information in the in-text citation, it also helps to avoid plagiarism and provides a clear indication of where the information came from.

2. You should end your sentence with a period before your in-text citation.

True

False

Periods always follow the citation.

Explanation

Periods always follow the citation.

3. If you've included the author's last name in your sentence, then you do not need to include it in your in-text citation.

True

False

In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the publication year, regardless of whether the author's name is mentioned in the sentence. For example, if you mention the author's name in your sentence, you still need to include the publication year in parentheses as part of the in-text citation to attribute the information to a specific source.

Explanation

In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the publication year, regardless of whether the author's name is mentioned in the sentence. For example, if you mention the author's name in your sentence, you still need to include the publication year in parentheses as part of the in-text citation to attribute the information to a specific source.

4. What is wrong with the following citation? Jupiter, Janie and Suellen Powers. The Nitty Gritty Lit Book. New York: Banter Press, 1991.

The title should be underlined or italicized.

The authors' first initials should be given, not their full first names.

The page numbers should always be listed for a book.

Instead of a colon, there should be a comma.

The correct answer is that the title should be underlined or italicized. In citations, titles of books should be either underlined or italicized to indicate that they are titles.

Explanation

The correct answer is that the title should be underlined or italicized. In citations, titles of books should be either underlined or italicized to indicate that they are titles.

5. How do you structure a block quotation?

Indent the left side of the first line only, single-space the quotation, and include the in-text citation at the end.

Indent the left side of all lines, double-space the quotation, and include the in-text citation at the end.

Indent both sides of all lines, double-space the quotation and leave out the in-text citation.

Indent both sides of all lines, single-space the quotation, and include the in-text citation at the end.

To structure a block quotation, it is necessary to indent the left side of all lines, double-space the quotation, and include the in-text citation at the end. This formatting style helps to visually separate the quotation from the rest of the text and indicate that it is a direct quote. By indenting both sides of all lines, it creates a clear distinction between the quotation and the surrounding text. Double-spacing the quotation also improves readability and makes it easier for readers to identify the quoted material. Including the in-text citation at the end ensures that proper credit is given to the original source.

Explanation

To structure a block quotation, it is necessary to indent the left side of all lines, double-space the quotation, and include the in-text citation at the end. This formatting style helps to visually separate the quotation from the rest of the text and indicate that it is a direct quote. By indenting both sides of all lines, it creates a clear distinction between the quotation and the surrounding text. Double-spacing the quotation also improves readability and makes it easier for readers to identify the quoted material. Including the in-text citation at the end ensures that proper credit is given to the original source.

6. If I want to add or omit information from a quotation, how do I do that within the text?

Add or omit without making changes. If my reader wants to know exactly what a source said, s/he can read the original source.

Use parentheses ( ) around the information you add and ellipses (...) for the information you omit.

Bold the information you add, and insert ellipses (...) for the information you omit.

Use brackets [ ] around the information you add and ellipses enclosed in brackets [...] for the information you omit.

To add or omit information from a quotation within the text, one should use brackets [ ] to enclose the information added and ellipses enclosed in brackets [...] for the information omitted. This allows the reader to differentiate between the original source and the added or omitted information.

Explanation

To add or omit information from a quotation within the text, one should use brackets [ ] to enclose the information added and ellipses enclosed in brackets [...] for the information omitted. This allows the reader to differentiate between the original source and the added or omitted information.

7. In my Bibliography, you should include all the sources you read while during my research, whether you cited them in the text or not.

True

False

A bibliography should only include the sources that you directly cited or referenced in your text. It is not a list of all the materials you read during your research.

Explanation

A bibliography should only include the sources that you directly cited or referenced in your text. It is not a list of all the materials you read during your research.

8. What should you do in my in-text citation if no author's name is given for the text you are citing?

Omit the author's name and just use the page number by itself.

Use "Anonymous" in place of the author's name.

Use the full title of the piece in place of the author's name.

Use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name.

When citing a text without an author's name, it is recommended to use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name. This helps to identify the source and provide a reference for the reader. Using the full title of the piece may be too lengthy, while using "Anonymous" may not accurately represent the source. Omitting the author's name and using only the page number would not provide enough information for proper citation.

Explanation

When citing a text without an author's name, it is recommended to use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name. This helps to identify the source and provide a reference for the reader. Using the full title of the piece may be too lengthy, while using "Anonymous" may not accurately represent the source. Omitting the author's name and using only the page number would not provide enough information for proper citation.

9. How do you format the Works Cited page?

All lines of each source should be flush against the left side. The entire page should be double-spaced.

All lines of each source should be centered and single-spaced.

The first line of each source should be flush against the left side, while the second line should be indented one-half inch. There should be two spaces between each entry. The entries themselves are single-spaced.

The first line of each source should be flush against the left side, while the second line (if any) should be indented one-half inch. The entire page should be double-spaced.

The correct answer is the one that accurately describes how to format the Works Cited page. It states that the first line of each source should be flush against the left side, while the second line (if any) should be indented one-half inch. Additionally, the entire page should be double-spaced. This format follows the standard guidelines for creating a Works Cited page in academic writing.

Explanation

The correct answer is the one that accurately describes how to format the Works Cited page. It states that the first line of each source should be flush against the left side, while the second line (if any) should be indented one-half inch. Additionally, the entire page should be double-spaced. This format follows the standard guidelines for creating a Works Cited page in academic writing.

10. What is wrong with the following citation? Allan, Joseph. "How the Americans Made Sugar in the West." Journal of American History (1986) 23:245-257.

Page numbers do not need to be listed for a journal article.

The year should come after the volume number.

There needs to be a period after the journal title.

The author's first initial should be used.

Author last name, Author first name. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume number (Year): Page numbers.

In the given citation, the year (1986) is placed before the volume number (23). It should be placed after the volume number, as shown below:

Allan, Joseph. "How the Americans Made Sugar in the West." Journal of American History 23 (1986): 245-257.

Explanation

Author last name, Author first name. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume number (Year): Page numbers.

In the given citation, the year (1986) is placed before the volume number (23). It should be placed after the volume number, as shown below:

Allan, Joseph. "How the Americans Made Sugar in the West." Journal of American History 23 (1986): 245-257.