HISTORY IN LITERATURE 
Use the information below to help cite your sources and do your in-text citations.

​"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" PDF
​A PDF (portable document file) is just a type of format, not an actual type of source. To cite it properly, you need to find the original location of the file. In this case, this PDF of "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" comes from a book anthology, so that's how we will cite it.
​Citing this PDF in Noodletools
  1. In Noodletools, create a new citation
  2. Choose Website > Anthology/collection
  3. At the top where it says Import, enter this ISBN: 9780030368783
  4. Noodletools should find the anthology called Elements of Literature. Click to select the result, and then click Import Selected Source
  5. The info is correct
  6. Click Continue so Noodletools will enter the info into the template for you
  7. Unfortunately, you will need to add some info yourself to the template too. Add the following:
  • Name of website: Middletown Township Public Schools
  • URL: (paste in PDF URL)
  • Date of access (click the "today" link)
  • Contributors to specific work: Ray Bradbury
  • Title of specific work: The Drummer Boy of Shiloh
  • Year specific work was authored: 1960
  • Pages: 318 to 323
U.S. History in Context Database
  1. Go to the link above for U.S. History in Context (from home you will need a password)
  2. Search for Battle of Shiloh
  3. Scroll down to the "News" articles and click on "How Shiloh Changed the Civil War"
  4. You can also use the article called "Children in the Civil War." To find this article. Search for the article title. Then, click on "Reference," and then the article. It should be the 11th one down in the list.
Citing History in Context Database:​
Exporting Your Citations From Noodletools
  1. Ensure you have cited ALL sources you plan on citing and that they are cited properly.
  2. Choose Print/Export and then Print/Export to Google Docs
  3. Your work cited document should open automatically (named "Sources for [Noodletools Project Name]") DO NOT adjust anything. The formatting is correct.
Getting your exported Works Cited Page onto the last page of your essay in Docs
  1. Copy everything on your exported works cited page (including the title: Works Cited)
  2. Go the end of your essay in Docs and get a clean, blank page (hit Enter if you need to get a new page)
  3. Paste in your exported works cited into this blank, last page of your essay. ​
  4. Make sure that if you make adjustments to your essay, you fix the spacing on your works cited (it should start at the top of a page, not in the middle)
Formatting Your Paper in MLA Style
Set up your document properly so you will be successful. MLA style requires you to do the following:
  1. Type your essay in Times New Roman, size 12 font
  2. Double space your entire essay (even the heading!)
  3. Do NOT quadruple space in between paragraphs. When you move on to the next paragraph, hit enter ONCE, indent, & begin
  4. Indent each new paragraph 5 spaces (tab key once)
  5. Proper nouns (artist/author names, titles of pieces) all get capitalized properly
  6. Titles of books and paintings are italicized. Titles of poems go in quotes
  7. Use in-text (parenthetical) citations after each example taken from a book, painting, website, etc.
  8. Do NOT use personal pronouns in formal writing (I, you, us, we, etc.)
  9. Use transitions within and between your paragraphs to show movement from one idea to the next
  10. Always include your works cited as the last page of a formal essay
Adding a header to your essay 
  1. Go to page one of your essay
  2. Choose Insert > Header
  3. Hit enter once so your header does not get cut off when printing
  4. Type your LAST NAME only
  5. Make sure your name is right-aligned and is in Times New Roman size 12 font (should match your essay)
  6. Then, hit the space bar once
  7. Choose Insert > Page Number, Top of Page
Adding a heading to your essay 
  1. Before all of your typing for your essay, begin on page one with a heading
  2. Your heading should begin on the left hand side
  3. Your heading should be in Times New Roman size 12 font
  4. Your heading should be double spaced 
  5. Include the following 4 lines for your heading
  • Your first and last name
  • Your teacher's name
  • Name of class
  • Date (written "backwards")
Adding a title to your essay
  1. Hit enter after your heading. Make sure you are still double-spacing
  2. Center your title and capitalize it appropriately
  3. Your title should be in Times New Roman, size 12 font (same as your essay)
  4. DO NOT underline your title, put it in bold, put it in italics, or put it in quotes! 
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Sample essay format: Be sure to replace my name with your name! Be sure to create your own unique title that reflects the content of this particular essay!


In-text Citation Help
click this link to help with in-text citations for this essay

Words to Avoid/Suggestions to Use Instead
click this link to help with words to avoid/suggestions instead