How to MLA Cite ‘Lord of the Flies’ Book Effectively

How to MLA Cite ‘Lord of the Flies’ Book Effectively

Okay, so listen up! You probably just finished reading “Lord of the Flies” and now your teacher is like “Cite this, cite that” and you’re like “What even is citing?” Don’t worry! I’ve got ya covered. Citing a book in MLA is like trying to build a sandcastle on a beach full of crabs—kinda tricky but super important. So let’s dive in and make sure you don’t end up stranded on an island with no citation at all!

Step 1: Know Your Book

First things first. You gotta know which edition you have. Was it published in 1954 or did you borrow some cool version from a friend?

But trust me, if you’re gonna quote Golding, you’d better know who he is too. Hint: He’s not the dude selling ice cream on the corner.

Step 2: Get the Deets

So here’s what you need for your citation. You’ll need the author’s name, title of the book (in fancy italics), publisher’s name, year of publication, and if there’s any cool info about editions or stuff like that.

And remember—there’s no rush. It’s not like Piggy’s glasses will break while you write this.

Step 3: The Format Game

Time for some formatting fun! In MLA style, it goes like this:

Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Example would be:
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber, 1954.

See how easy that was? Like pie…or maybe cake? I really want cake right now.

Step 4: In-Text Citations Are Your Friends

Now listen carefully! When you’re quoting stuff from the book (you know when Ralph says something super smart), you’ve gotta put that quote in your paper with an in-text citation.

That means after your quote, just add (Golding page number). Like so:

“Things are bad.” (Golding 45)

That’s like saying “Hey teacher! Look at me being all scholarly!”

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Works Cited Page

But wait there’s more! At the end of your paper (kind of like dessert after dinner) you gotta have a Works Cited page where you list all your sources.

Just kinda throw those citations down there and make sure they’re in alphabetical order by last name because nobody likes messy lists, trust me.

Step 6: Double-Check Everything

Okay so here’s where it gets real serious for a sec. Make sure to double-check your work because sloppy citations can make teachers cranky—and we don’t want cranky teachers. They might assign more homework or worse… give quizzes!

And if you’re really lost? Grab a buddy and do it together! Teamwork makes everything better… unless you’re stuck on an island with only kids fighting over conch shells.

Step 7: Victory Dance Time

Once you’ve got everything cited properly, it’s time to celebrate! Do a little victory dance around your room or do whatever makes you happy because dodging bad grades feels awesome!

Remember though… don’t pull a conch shell move and start yelling that you’re king of the world before actually handing in your paper!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: What if I have an e-book version?
Answer: No problemo! Just use the same format but add “e-book” at the end—like Golding did his magic online instead of paper!

Question: Can I use Wikipedia to find info?
Answer: Um… noooo!! Wikipedia is like that sketchy guy selling fish tacos outside school—kinda risky! Always go straight to the source!

Question: Why is MLA even a thing?
Answer: Good question! It helps everyone keep track of who’s stealing who’s ideas kind of like how Jack stole Piggy’s glasses!

Question: What if my teacher hates my citation style?
Answer: Then maybe ask them for advice or just say it was a bold artistic choice?

Question: Is citing hard?
Answer: Not really—it’s as easy as pie once you’ve done it a couple times just try not to eat said pie while writing okay?

Question: How many sources do I need anyway?
Answer: Usually one is good for small papers but bigger projects might need two or three depending on what kind of epic saga you’re cooking up!

Question: Will I get extra credit for perfect citations?
Answer: That depends on your teacher but hey they love seeing their students grow into little citation ninjas so maybe yes!!

So there ya go, my friend! Now grab “Lord of the Flies,” dust off those scribbled notes, and become an MLA citation wizard! You’re gonna crush it—just remember to watch out for boys turning into savages out there!