MLA handbook for writers of research papers

by Joseph Gibaldi

Paper Book, 2003

Status

Available

Call number

LB2369.G53 2003

Collection

Reference

Publication

New York : Modern Language Association of America, 2003.

Description

The revisions in the sixth edition of the MLA Handbook focus on the areas of greatest concern to students undertaking research projects today. Besides fresh citation examples, updated lists of reference works, and an improved typographic design, the new edition offers the following changes: A chapter on plagiarism explains what this offense is, why it should be taken seriously, and how good research practices prevent unintentional plagiarizing. Two dozen new annotated illustrations demonstrate how actual print and electronic sources are treated in research and documentation. Expanded, updated guidelines clarify the use and citation of online materials, including articles from subscription databases like EBSCO. The MLA documentation formats have not been changed in the sixth edition, but many guidelines have been added or refined.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member fodroy

A savior for anyone who regularly writes academic papers. Plus it has a shiny silver cover.

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LibraryThing member SatsumaHouse

Generally very detailed, with plenty of illuminating examples. But this 2003 edition has nothing on citing blogs and the like, and even the rules for newsgroups don't foresee the need for citing two posts by the same person and with the same title.

Also, the sixth edition "features" a change in the

guidelines for citing judicial opinions. Whereas the fifth edition mandated the use of a case reporter, the sixth edition instead mandates using the case number. I suppose it's better in principle, since it's more "attached" to the opinion itself than a citation to another book is, but (a) every book and journal I've ever seen uses only the case reporter, and (b) unless you have the original slip opinion, or the opinion is from a jurisdiction that has adopted a public-domain citation format (that's one in which the paragraphs are numbered), you're offered no guidance for in-text citations. After all, if you can't cite a book, how can you have page numbers?

The first of these complaints, however, is no fault of Gibaldi, who, like the rest of us, had no knowledge of blogs in 2003. And the second is of no concern for the majority of this book's target audience (to his credit, Gibaldi directs the reader to the Bluebook for more extensive guidance). Overall, this book has a very large job to do, and it does it well.

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LibraryThing member TheBooknerd

As an English major, this book was essential. I used it more than any other reference book, so much that I regret not purchasing it the minute I signed up for my first college class. This book had all the answers, even those to questions I'd never thought to ask.

LibraryThing member truth_of_spirit

It's really helping you a long way to correct citation style :-)

LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C

When I was in college this was the standard for research papers. And I'd agree it's much easier to use and more lucid than the Blue Book I'd later have to use for legal citations. It's true though that this edition, published in 1995 is probably dated. And given I've finished my higher education, I

can't see a reason to keep it any longer on my shelves--but it sure gave good service during my college years--and if you're in or about to enter college--I'd certainly recommend getting whatever is the latest edition.

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LibraryThing member Borrows-N-Wants

This book is incredibly easy to use with clear, precise examples. The table of contents is easy to search. This book is lacking in a few "special case" citation examples, so when using this I would occassionally have to look on the internet for help. In general though, this book is a great book and

a staple to every college student's library.

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