Instructions: If you want to add the content below to your course, use this HTML code. Here is a link for those who need a refresher on using the HTML view in the Rich Content Editor. To change the background color, font colors, or box colors, please refer to "Adding Custom Colors to Boxes While Maintaining Readability " to ensure your color choices are ADA-compliant.

Note: This is set up as a page so you can copy and paste the information; however, it is intended as an MLA assignment to help students begin thinking about their research sources in MLA format. Also, I have attached an example MLA template at the end of the assignment, along with a handout on the SIFT Method. You will need to download both and upload them to your Canvas page so students can view them.

Note: At times, UDOIT flags color usage; therefore, to resolve this issue, I have added the <div class="phpally-ignore"> to the HTML. This allows ADA readers to disregard color, particularly since it does not convey any significance.

MLA Citation Scavenger Hunt

Purpose

Citations are more than a collection of punctuation marks and formatting rules. A good citation allows your reader to identify, locate, and verify the source you used. In this assignment, you will practice finding different types of sources and creating accurate MLA citations for each one.

Think of this assignment as a citation scavenger hunt. Your job is to find the information needed to build each citation, put the pieces together correctly, and then demonstrate how the source would be cited within your writing.

Your goal is not simply to copy and paste a citation from a database, website, or citation generator. Instead, you will examine each source carefully, identify the individual citation elements, and verify that your citations follow MLA guidelines. Your Works Cited entry and in-text citations should correspond with one another.

What You Will Do

You will locate and compile five different sources listed below and create a Works Cited entry for each source. Choose articles and webpages on topics that interest you. As you find each source, do not simply copy the citation provided by the database or website. Instead, review the source record and identify the information needed to construct the citation. Once you locate the cite the source, you will also demonstrate two ways of incorporating information from each source into your writing using in-text citations.

Using the LSSC library citation guides, create the three requested items for each source.

Works Cited Citation: Create the complete MLA citation for the source.
Parenthetical In-Text Citation: Write a sentence that incorporates information from the source and uses a parenthetical citation.
Prose (Narrative) In-Text Citation: Write a sentence that incorporates information from the source and introduces the author in the sentence.

Works Cited Citation

Example:

Buzzetto-Hollywood, Nicole, et al. "Mindset and Academic Achievement." Issues in Informing Science & Information Technology, vol. 23, Jan. 2026, pp. 1–20. Academic Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.28945/5798. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Parenthetical In-Text Citation

Example:

College students who develop effective study strategies are more likely to succeed academically (Buzzetto-Hollywood et al. 18).

Prose (Narrative) In-Text Citation

Example:

Buzzetto-Hollywood and colleagues explain that college students who develop effective study strategies are more likely to succeed academically (15).

1. Cite an AI-Generated Response

Use an AI tool, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to explore the following keywords. If you have a specific topic in mind for a research assignment, use those keywords instead. Refer to the LSSC MLA citation guide for assistance in creating your citations and in-text citations.

Create a prompt using the keywords below and ask the AI tool for information on the topic or assistance with developing a thesis. Save or record the response so you can identify the information needed for your citation.

Enter your complete MLA citation here.

Parenthetical In-Text Citation

Write a sentence using information from the source and a parenthetical citation.

Prose (Narrative) In-Text Citation

Write a sentence that incorporates the author's name into the sentence.

Submission Requirements:

Use this example MLA template to complete the assignment. Also, ensure that you include a hanging indent for your Works Cited citations and provide a first-line indent to each of your in-text citation paragraphs.