how to add quotes from a book into an essay in mla format

how to add quotes from a book into an essay in mla format

Writing a 1000-word cause and effect essay in MLA format requires careful planning and adherence to specific guidelines for formatting and citation. Below is an example structure and format for a cause and effect essay in MLA style:

[Your Name] [Professor’s Name] [Course Title] [Due Date]

Title of Your Essay

Introduction (Approximately 100-150 words)

• Begin with a hook or attention-grabbing statement related to your topic.
• Provide background information on the issue or event you will discuss.
• Present your thesis statement, which should clearly state the cause-and-effect relationship you will explore.

Body Paragraphs (Approximately 600-700 words)

Paragraph 1: Cause

• Start with a clear topic sentence explaining the first cause.
• Provide supporting evidence or examples for this cause.
• Use in-text citations (Author’s Last Name page number) when referencing sources.
• Discuss the significance of this cause in relation to your thesis.

Paragraph 2: Cause

• Repeat the structure above for the second cause.
• Use transition words to connect this cause to the previous one (e.g., “Another contributing factor…”).
• Discuss the significance of this cause.

Paragraph 3: Cause

• Follow the same structure for the third cause, if applicable.
• Provide evidence and discuss significance.

Paragraph 4: Effect

• Start with a clear topic sentence explaining the first effect.
• Provide supporting evidence or examples for this effect.
• Use in-text citations as needed.
• Discuss the significance of this effect in relation to your thesis.

Paragraph 5: Effect

• Repeat the structure above for the second effect.
• Use transition words to connect this effect to the previous one.
• Discuss the significance of this effect.

Paragraph 6: Effect

• Follow the same structure for the third effect, if applicable.
• Provide evidence and discuss significance.

Conclusion (Approximately 100-150 words)

• Summarize the main causes and effects you’ve discussed.
• Restate your thesis and the overarching cause-and-effect relationship.
• Discuss the broader implications or significance of your findings.
• End with a thought-provoking statement or call to action.

Works Cited

• List all the sources you cited in your essay in alphabetical order, following the MLA format.

Formatting Guidelines

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Set one-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
• Double-space the entire essay.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (use the Tab key).
• Include a header with your last name and page number in the top right corner (e.g., Smith 1).
• Title your essay with a centered, bolded, and properly capitalized heading (no italics, underlining, or quotation marks).

Remember to replace the placeholders in brackets with your actual information and content for your essay. This template provides you with the basic structure and formatting guidelines required for an MLA-style cause and effect essay with a word count of around 1000 words.