MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page.
MLA style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using the English language in writing. MLA style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material.
Here is an example of an MLA paper:
Title of Paper: "The Great Gatsby and the Decline of the American Dream"
Title of Course: "American Literature"
Name of Professor: "Dr. Smith"
Date: "January 1, 2023"
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is a novel that explores the decline of the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties. The story follows the life of the wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love affair with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.
Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses symbols and motifs to depict the decline of the American Dream. One example of this is the use of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. The green light represents Gatsby's hope and desire for a future with Daisy, but it also symbolizes the futile and unattainable nature of the American Dream.
Fitzgerald also uses the character of Gatsby to comment on the decline of the American Dream. Gatsby, who becomes rich through illegal means, represents the corruption and decadence of the era. His rise to wealth and his eventual downfall serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing the elusive American Dream.
In conclusion, Fitzgerald uses symbols and characters in The Great Gatsby to comment on the decline of the American Dream in the Roaring Twenties. The novel serves as a warning about the dangers of chasing after a dream that may ultimately prove to be unattainable.
Works Cited:
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1925.