MLA Q&A

"What's with this MLA formatting stuff?" you ask. "Why do I need all these fancy margin setting and complicated citations? Can't I just send my paper as a text message?"

No need to worry. The Library staff at all SCC locations are ready to assist you with any and all MLA issues. In fact, one of our resident MLA experts, Nancy Tucker, will be presenting an MLA Workshop on October 11th to guide you through the process of formatting, citations, and all the other not-so-scary elements of MLA crafting.

We asked Nancy to give us more details on the upcoming workshop.

What is MLA formatting and why is it important?

MLA stands for Modern Language Association.  The Modern Language Association publishes the MLA Handbook which contains the rules for citing in MLA format.  Most classes at Spartanburg Community College require students to use MLA 8^th ed. formatting.  Having the knowledge to cite sources is a critical skill for students at SCC.  In fact, students are required to cite their sources twice, once as an in-text citation and also on the works cited page at the end of the paper.  The SCC Library has created several MLA handouts to help with MLA citations.  In the workshop on October 11^th, we will discuss these MLA handouts and how to use each one.

 

Certain rules of MLA formatting changed recently.  How is it different now?

In the summer of 2016, MLA published the updated MLA Handbook 8^th edition.  This update replaces the 7^th edition of MLA.  In the past, sources were cited based on their format.  The new 8^th edition makes citing sources a lot easier.  In fact, all sources can be cited using one basic template.  Once a student learns how to use the MLA template, they can cite anything!  

Nancy Tucker, MLA master!

How do the SCC librarians help students with MLA formatting?

SCC librarians are available to answer your MLA questions during library hours in person, by phone, or by email.  Our MLA handouts are available 24/7 and can be found on our library website http://library.sccsc.edu/. Students do not need an appointment to speak with a librarian. 

The library can be contacted at 864-592-4654 or askalibrarian@sccsc.edu.  The Central Campus Library is open Monday – Thursday from 7:30 am- 9:00 pm, and on Friday from 7:30 am -1:30 pm.  Check our library website for updated library hours if you are at Cherokee, Tyger River, or Downtown. 

What’s the most challenging type of citation?

Any source that a librarian has to look up in the MLA handbook is a challenging source to cite.  Examples of challenging sources include: a live performance, a work of art viewed in person, the Bible, poetry, notes taken in class, an instructor's PowerPoint, etc.

It is important to know where to look when you don’t know the answer.  As librarians, we don’t know everything about MLA, but we know where to go to find the correct information.  These sources include the MLA handbook, the SCC Library website, and the MLA Style Center.  We will discuss these sources in the MLA workshop on October 11th. 

 

What will you cover in your MLA workshop?

In this workshop, we will discuss the basics of MLA such as how to identify the important elements of a source, what punctuation to use, when to italicize, when to use quotation marks, how to create a works cited page, how to create in-text citations, and much more!  We will also practice citing sources with a few fun activities.

After a student has finished your MLA workshop, what is the most important thing to remember?

The most important thing for a student to remember after attending this workshop is where to go to access the MLA resources and how to contact the library for assistance.  Our MLA handouts can be found on our library website http://library.sccsc.edu/.  Students can also visit the SCC Library with questions or for MLA help.  Students do not need an appointment to speak with a librarian.  The library is open Monday – Thursday from 7:30 am- 9:00 pm, and on Friday from 7:30 am -1:30 pm.  Check our library website for updated library hours if you are at Cherokee, Tyger River, or Downtown.

Thanks, Nancy!

Don't forget: the MLA Workshop is on October 11th in the Central Campus Library Instruction Room at 2:00 pm.