W4: (Optional) How do I use MLA and APA citation styles?

(Optional Workshop) How Do I Use MLA and APA Citation Styles?

In this discussion you can practice two (2) different citation styles, APA and MLA. It’s likely that you will be using APA a lot more than MLA. MLA is used for topics related to language and literature, while APA is used for a wide range of other topics.

Locate ONE peer-reviewed article from the APUS library. You may use any library search engine or database. NO open-web sources are allowed. Pick any subject that interests you. If you need help with a topic, here are some suggestions: a person, place, thing, political leader, US President, historical event, invention, or a famous crime or mystery.

Answer in complete sentences except for the Works Cited question.

Part 1 (Practicing MLA)

Using the source you selected, respond to the following prompts.

1. What is your topic?
2. How would your Works Cited entry look for this source? Include the https address/APUS library link (not just the doi). You can copy it from your web browser if it is not already included in the citation.
3. Pick one regular sentence from the article–not an extremely long sentence or an indirect source (i.e., a source or author that is cited/quoted in your chosen article). Copy and paste it word-for-word here (no need for a citation—this is for informational purposes only).
4. Now paraphrase the sentence you chose. Include a citation.
5. Now use the sentence as a direct quote. Include a signal phrase and citation.

Example answers:

1. My topic is Hawaii–more specifically, Pearl Harbor.
2. Chester, Robert. “‘Negroes’ Number One Hero’: Doris Miller, Pearl Harbor, and Retroactive Multiculturalism in World War II Remembrance.” American Quarterly, vol. 65, no. 1, Johns Hopkins University Press, Mar. 2013, pp. 31–61,261–62, doi:10.1353/aq.2013.0012. https://apus.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=proquest1409095978&context=PC&vid=01APUS_INST:01APUS&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo%20Central&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Pearl%20Harbor&facet=tlevel,include,peer_reviewed&facet=rtype,include,articles&offset=0
3. Amid the rising tensions of the 1960s, the navy exhibited little inclination to recall Miller or his post-Pearl Harbor treatment.
4. Unfortunately, during the 1960s, the navy failed to recognize that Miller was mistreated after Pearl Harbor (Chester 48).
5. Chester writes, “Amid the rising tensions of the 1960s, the navy exhibited little inclination to recall Miller or his post-Pearl Harbor treatment” (48).

Part 2 (Practicing APA)

Use the same sentence and answer the same questions, but this time, use APA style. (Also, number two would appear on your References list, not Works Cited.)

Example answers:

1. My topic is Hawaii–more specifically, Pearl Harbor.
2. Chester, R. (2013). “Negroes’ Number One Hero”: Doris Miller, Pearl Harbor, and Retroactive Multiculturalism in World War II Remembrance. American Quarterly, 65(1), 31–61, doi.org/10.1353/aq.2013.0012. https://apus.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=proquest1409095978&context=PC&vid=01APUS_INST:01APUS&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo%20Central&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Pearl%20Harbor&facet=tlevel,include,peer_reviewed&facet=rtype,include,articles&offset=0
3. Amid the rising tensions of the 1960s, the navy exhibited little inclination to recall Miller or his post-Pearl Harbor treatment.
4. Unfortunately, during the 1960s, the navy failed to recognize Miller’s mistreatment after Pearl Harbor (Chester, 2013).
5. Chester (2013) claims, “Amid the rising tensions of the 1960s, the navy exhibited little inclination to recall Miller or his post-Pearl Harbor treatment” (p. 48).

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Tips for student replies:

• If you see any citation errors, feel free to offer guidance or ask questions.

• Copy and paste a sentence from the same article and practice quoting and paraphrasing it yourself.

• Browse our library and locate other sources about the topic your fellow classmate chose. How did you find the article? Include the Works Cited or Reference information. This will be great library practice for you.