MLA Micro-course

Questions to consider:

• What kinds of activities are considered plagiarism?
• What are the reasons my professors ask me to cite my sources?
• When (and where) do I need to cite an information source?

Plagiarism (avoiding it) is an essential skill for succeeding in both college and the workplace. Knowing when you need to give credit is the very first step in being a good writer, but also in being a responsible citizen and continuous learner.

The materials below will explore plagiarism, why citing your sources is important, and what a 'citation' actually is.

A citation consists of several required elements:

1. The idea or quote you took from the original source.
2. A brief, in-text citation, containing at least author last name.
3. The full citation at the end of your paper.

During the rest of this course, you will learn why and how this is best done, using MLA style.

Study Materials:

[optional] Quick Hands-On Activity:

Go to the Empire State College main website and use the Search box in the top right. Type in: plagiarism. Locate and glance through the College's "Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures."