Identify the correctly formatted MLA citation in this academic writing exercise.

Let's go through each question and determine which MLA citation is handled correctly. We'll evaluate based on MLA 9th edition guidelines for in-text citations, especially regarding quotation marks, parenthetical citations, author names, and page numbers.

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1.

> a. Emslie added that “every extra penny of the new revenue beyond unavoidable recurring increases will benefit students” (Smith 8).
> b. “Every extra penny of the new revenue beyond unavoidable recurring increases will benefit students” (Smith 8).

- Analysis:
- In option a, the quote is introduced by a signal phrase ("Emslie added that"), so the author name in the citation should be Emslie, not Smith. But here it says (Smith 8) — this is incorrect unless Smith is the source of the quote.
- In option b, the quote is used directly without a signal phrase, and the citation is placed at the end: (Smith 8) — this is correct if Smith is the source of the quote.

But wait — the signal phrase says "Emslie added", implying Emslie is the speaker, but the citation says Smith. That’s a mismatch.

So both are problematic:
- a uses wrong author in parentheses (should be Emslie if he said it).
- b lacks a signal phrase and assumes Smith is the source, but the quote is attributed to Emslie.

However, since the quote is presented as something Emslie said, but cited as Smith, both options are incorrect unless Smith is the author who quoted Emslie.

But in standard MLA, if you're quoting someone (Emslie) from a source written by Smith, you would write:

> Emslie added that “every extra penny...” (Smith 8).

That’s acceptable if Smith is the author of the source where Emslie’s quote appears.

So a is correct — because the source is Smith, and Emslie is quoted within Smith’s work. The parenthetical citation refers to the source (Smith), not the person being quoted.

✔ Correct answer: a

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2.

> a. According to Kipling, “He heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed” (4).
> b. According to Kipling, “He heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed” (Kipling 4).

- Analysis:
- When you use a signal phrase like “According to Kipling,” you do not need to repeat the author’s name in the parentheses.
- So b is redundant — you’re saying “According to Kipling” and then again citing “(Kipling 4)” — this is not correct per MLA.
- a is correct: signal phrase + page number only in parentheses.

✔ Correct answer: a

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3.

> a. America does not have a national language, and many argue that we should – English (Williams 12).
> b. America does not have a national language, and many argue that we should – English. (Williams 12)

- Analysis:
- Both sentences have a dash before "English" — likely intended to show a pause or emphasis.
- However, in a, the period is inside the quotation mark? Wait — there is no quotation mark.
- Actually, the sentence is not a direct quote; it's paraphrasing.
- But the punctuation is off.
- In a, the period is missing after "English".
- In b, the sentence ends with a period before the citation, and the citation is in parentheses — this is correct format for a paraphrase.
- Also, the dash may be awkward, but it's not a major issue.

Wait — actually, both seem to have the same content. Let's compare:

- a: "...we should – English (Williams 12)." → Missing period at end.
- b: "...we should – English. (Williams 12)" → Has period before citation.

In MLA, the period goes after the citation if it's in parentheses.

So b is correct:
> America does not have a national language, and many argue that we should – English. (Williams 12)

✔ Correct answer: b

Note: The dash usage is odd, but assuming it's intentional, the punctuation is correct in b.

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4.

> a. In an interview with Johnny Depp, he said that he loved the character of Jack Sparrow and would do as many movies as the producers wanted.
> b. In an interview with Johnny Depp, he said that he loved the character of Jack Sparrow and would do as many movies as the producers wanted (Depp, interview).

- Analysis:
- This is a paraphrase of a quote from an interview.
- In MLA, when citing an interview, you include the interviewee’s name and the source type in the citation.
- For interviews, you can cite as: (Depp, interview)
- However, a has no citation at all — so it's incorrect.
- b includes the citation: (Depp, interview) — this is correct for an interview source.

✔ Correct answer: b

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5.

> a. On page 67, the author mentions that the climate has fluctuations that occur with fairly regular patterns (Dawson).
> b. On page 67, the author mentions that the climate has fluctuations that occur with fairly regular patterns (Dawson Climate Change).

- Analysis:
- In MLA, if the source is a book titled *Climate Change* by Dawson, then the citation should include only the author’s last name and page number if available.
- You don’t include the title in the parenthetical citation unless it’s needed for clarity.
- But here, a uses (Dawson) — no page number — but the sentence says “on page 67” — so the page number must be included.
- b includes the title: (Dawson Climate Change) — this is not correct in MLA. You don't put the title in the parenthetical citation unless it's a short work (like an article), and even then, it's usually abbreviated.

Actually, neither is perfect.

But let’s look closer:

- a: (Dawson) — missing page number. But the sentence says “on page 67”, so the citation should include the page: (Dawson 67)
- b: (Dawson Climate Change) — this is not standard. You don’t include the full title in the citation.

So both are incorrect?

Wait — perhaps a is meant to be (Dawson 67)? But it says just (Dawson).

But the sentence says: “On page 67…” — so the page number is already mentioned. Does that mean you don’t need to repeat it?

No — in MLA, you must include the page number in the citation if you’re citing a specific page.

So a is missing the page number in the citation — even though it’s mentioned in the text.

MLA rule: If you mention the page number in the text, you don’t need to repeat it in the parenthetical citation.

But only if it’s clear.

Example:
> On page 67, the author notes that… (Dawson)

This is acceptable — because the page is stated in the text, and the author is cited.

But if you say:
> The author notes that… (Dawson 67) — this is also correct.

But in a, the sentence says:
> “On page 67, the author mentions…” (Dawson) — this is incomplete because the page number is not in the citation.

Wait — but the text says “on page 67”, so the citation can just be (Dawson), because the page is already given.

Yes! That’s acceptable.

So a is correct:
> On page 67, the author mentions... (Dawson)

Because the page number is already in the sentence.

b is wrong: (Dawson Climate Change) — this is not proper MLA formatting.

✔ Correct answer: a

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✔ Final Answers:

1. a
2. a
3. b
4. b
5. a

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Summary of Correct Answers:

1. a
2. a
3. b
4. b
5. a

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Explanation Recap:

| Question | Correct Answer | Reason |
|--------|----------------|--------|
| 1 | a | Signal phrase introduces quote; citation gives source (Smith), not speaker (Emslie). |
| 2 | a | Don’t repeat author name in parentheses after “According to”. |
| 3 | b | Period goes after the citation; punctuation is correct. |
| 4 | b | Interview citation requires (Interviewee, interview). |
| 5 | a | Page number mentioned in text, so citation only needs author. |

Let me know if you'd like the full MLA works cited entries for these!