I. Introduction
Proper citation is an essential and integral aspect of research writing. It not only shows where the writer collected their research but also strengthens their arguments and credibility. Citing a movie or film is an important skill for scholars and students alike, but it is not always an easy process.
In this article, we focus on the process of citing a movie using Modern Language Association (MLA) style. MLA citation style is widely used in the humanities to attribute sources in works cited pages, footnotes, and in-text citations. We will provide a complete guide on citing a movie in MLA style to help the reader understand the essential components of citation and avoid common mistakes.
II. The Complete Guide to Citing a Movie in MLA Style
A. Explanation of MLA Style
MLA is a citation style used to exhibit external sources in academic writing. This citation style includes two main parts: in-text citations, which are used within the text of the assignment and cite the source of the writer’s information, and the works cited page, which is a page located at the end of the document that lists information for the sources referenced in the text.
B. Importance of MLA Style in Academic Writing
MLA citation style is commonly used in humanities research work, and it enables writers to attribute the research of other scholars to their work. It gives credit to the original source of information, strengthens the author’s arguments with relevant sources, and makes their work more credible. Properly citing a movie in academic writing follows the same principles and is therefore imperative.
C. Overview of Basic Elements of a Movie Citation in MLA Style
The basic elements of a movie citation in MLA style are the same as those of other sources. The fundamental difference lies in the medium. In citing movies, the most important and basic information that should be included in the citation are the title, director’s name, distributor, and year of release. The citation is presented as: (director’s surname, title, distributor, year) for in-text citations, while the works cited page citation will be in the following format: surname, first name of the director, title of the movie, distribution company, year of release.
III. Step-by-Step: How to Cite a Movie in MLA Format
A. Detailed Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a Movie in MLA Style
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to cite a movie in MLA format:
- Begin with the director’s name in the order of the last name followed by their first name.
- If the director’s name is not known, begin with the title of the film.
- Include the title of the movie in italics using sentence capitalization.
- Add the distributor and year of release, separated by a comma.
- Use the following format to present the citation for in-text citations: (director’s surname, title, distributor, year).
- For the works cited page, use this format: surname, first name of the director, title of the movie, distribution company, year of release.
B. Description of Different Types of Movies and How They Should Be Cited Accordingly
When citing a movie in MLA style, there are different types of movies that should be cited differently. Here are some examples:
- A movie with one director – (Martin, Goodfellas, Warner Bros., 1990)
- A movie with two directors – (Coen and Coen, Fargo, Polygram Filmed Entertainment, 1996)
- A movie with multiple directors – (Burton et al., Batman Returns, Warner Bros., 1992).
IV. Unpacking MLA: The Ins and Outs of Citing a Movie in Your Paper
A. Explanation of Different Components of a Movie Citation in MLA Style
A movie citation in MLA style has different components that should be included to ensure its accuracy. These components include:
- Director’s name
- Title of the movie
- Distributor of the movie
- Year of release
B. A Breakdown of How the Author, Year of Release and Other Details Should Be Formatted in a Movie Citation
The format for citing a movie in MLA style is as follows:
- Director’s name.
- Title of the movie.
- Distributor of the movie.
- Year of release.
For the in-text citation, the citation will be presented this way: (director’s surname, title, distributor, year). For the works cited page, the citation will be in this format: surname, first name of the director, title of the movie, distribution company, year of release.
V. Mastering the Art of MLA Movie Citations: A Comprehensive Tutorial
A. In-Depth Discussion of Citing Movies in MLA Style
Citing movies in MLA style can be challenging, but with the proper guidance, scholars and students can make accurate citations. In this section, we discuss in detail how to cite a movie using MLA style, from the director’s name to the year of release.
B. Examples of Correctly and Incorrectly Formatted Citations
Here are some examples of correctly and incorrectly formatted movie citations in MLA style:
- Correct: (Spielberg, Schindler’s List, Universal Pictures, 1993)
- Correct: (Coen and Coen, The Big Lebowski, Polygram Filmed Entertainment, 1998)
- Incorrect: (Spielberg, Schindler’s List, Universal Pictures)
C. Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes While Citing Movies in MLA Style
Below are some tips for avoiding common mistakes when citing movies in MLA style:
- Always include all the components of the citation.
- Use the correct format for both the in-text citation and works cited page citation.
- Use sentence capitalization for the title of the movie.
- Ensure that the title is presented in italics.
- Avoid errors in the director’s name, and use their surname first.
VI. From Script to Works Cited: How to Properly Cite a Movie in MLA Style
A. Overview of the Process of Citing a Movie in MLA Style
Proper citation of a movie in MLA style involves five main components. They are the director’s name, title of the movie, distributor, year of release, and the medium type. Ensuring that all the components are included and presented in the correct format is key to properly citing a movie in MLA style.
B. Explanation of the Importance of Including a Movie Citation in the Works Cited Page
The works cited page is an essential component of academic writing that provides the necessary information for a reader to locate the sources used in the writing. It strengthens the author’s arguments with relevant sources and increases the credibility of their work. A movie citation in MLA style contributes to the clarity and ease of identification of the source in the works cited page.
C. Examples of Correctly Formatted Movie Citations in Works Cited Page
Here are some examples of correctly formatted movie citations in the works cited page:
- Martin, Scorsese. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., 1990.
- Coen, Joel and Coen, Ethan. Fargo. Polygram Filmed Entertainment, 1996.
- Burton, Tim et al. Batman Returns. Warner Bros., 1992.
Conclusion
In conclusion, proper citation style is essential for academic writing in ensuring credibility and avoiding plagiarism. Though often challenging, citing a movie in MLA style becomes relatively easy by accurately incorporating all the essential components of the citation. In this article, we provided step-by-step guidance in citing movies in MLA style, explained its key importance, outlined common errors, and provided examples of correctly formatted in-text and works cited page citations. Remember, accurate and properly formatted movie citations will help you score high marks and have a stronger argument.