Post by Derek Pizzuto on Jan 28, 2011 8:12:03 GMT -5
Citing Sources: Step by Step
**Have out your parentheticals help sheet from the Media Center. Can't find yours? Download one here: schools.shrewsbury-ma.gov/egov/docs/456571256664515.pdf
1. Make sure that your in-text citations are in the right format: (S3 45) etc. for sources with page numbers, and simply (S2) etc. for sources without page numbers. Having the S is CRITICAL for using this short cut!
2. Scan your draft. Make a list of all source numbers cited in the paper.
3. Create bibliographic entries. Using your packet (or the citation maker / easy bib website) and your original note sheets where you recorded source information, format each source according to MLA format.
4. Print a hard copy of this list, with your source numbers next to each entry.
5. To prepare your in text citations, highlight the first part of each entry - up to the first comma or period (generally this is the author's last name. IF you have 2+ by the same author, or none is given, highlight part of the TITLE as well) For short titles, like Medieval Soldier, use the whole title. For long titles, you can cite the first few words. Have questions? Refer to that Media Center handout... or post them here.
For the next step, it is important that you do S1 LAST if you have more than 9 sources, and S1 AND S2 last if you have more than 19 sources.
6. Now, start skimming through your paper. When you find your first citation, (let's say it's S3) do the following:
a. Look up that citation on your list. Note the word you highlighted.
b. Now you need to use the "find / replace" function.
i. In Word (before 07) go to edit => replace
ii. In Word (07 or later) make sure you're on the "home" tab and look to the far right - you'll see the replace option.
iii. in Google Docs, go to Edit, then "find - replace"
c. In find what type S_ (where _ = the number)
d. If using Word, click thematch case option below to avoid having your entries in all caps. You will find this choice by clicking the "more" button at the bottom of the dialogue box.
e. In replace withtype the word you highlighted.
f. If your parenthetical includes a title that needs italics, simply hit Ctrl+I before typing the word (in Word)-- in Google Docs, you will do the italics in step 8
g. Hit "replace all." This will format ALL your in-text citations for that source!
7. Repeat step 6 for each source you used in the paper.
8. If using Google Docs, you need to make sure you italicize any titles. The easiest way to do this is to use your browser's find command, located in Edit => Find. This will open up a little fill-in box at the bottom of your window. Search for the first term that needs to be italicized - just type the whole thing in, then click "highlight all." When it highlights the terms, just select each one and click the italics button, then click "next." You can format them very quickly this way.
9. Once they are all formatted, finalize your bibliography. Delete the source numbers if you put them on your document, and make sure the entries are all alphabetical. Put the proper heading up top on the sheet: it should say "Works Cited" at the top center.