ThAct: Documentation- Preparing List of Work Cited

This task is given by Prakruti ma'am.

 Documentation 

Long Question 

Why is preparing a works cited page important in academic writing? Explain the main rules for formatting it according to MLA guidelines.

Ans.

 Preparing a work cited page is important because it ensures academic honesty and gives proper credit to authors whose ideas, research, or words have been used in a paper. It allows readers to verify sources, check the reliability of information, and explore the topic further. Without a works cited page, a research paper may appear incomplete or even plagiarized. It strengthened the credibility of the writer and shows that the work is based on careful research. 

According to MLA 7th edition guidelines, the Works Cited page must appear on a separate page at the end of the paper. The title “Works Cited” should be centered at the top. All entries must be arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. If no author is available, the title of the source is used for alphabetizing. Each entry should include essential publication details such as author, title, place of publication, publisher, year of publication, and medium of publication (Print or Web). The entries must follow a hanging indentation format, where the first line is flush left and the following lines are indented. Consistency in punctuation, italics, and capitalization is also required.

Short Question 

What is the purpose of indicating the “medium of publication” in MLA 7th edition?

Ans.

In MLA 7th edition, indicating the medium of publication (such as Print, Web, DVD, etc.) helps readers understand the format in which the source was accessed. This is important because information may differ depending on whether it comes from a printed book, an online article, or another format. Mentioning the medium increases clarity and transparency. It also helps readers locate the exact version of the source used by the writer. Therefore, including the medium is an essential part of proper documentation in MLA style.

1 Annotated Bibliography

Topic : Refugees and Climate Migration in Literature and Media

1 Journal Article

Bettini, Giovanni. “Climate Migration as an Adaptation Strategy.” Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, vol. 4, no. 6, 2013, pp. 461–473. Annotation (Approx. 90 words): This article examines how climate migration is framed within global environmental discourse. Bettini argues that migration is often presented as a technical solution rather than a complex socio-political issue. The article provides qualitative analysis of policy narratives and highlights the ethical concerns surrounding displaced populations. It is useful for understanding how refugees are constructed within climate debates and supports research on environmental displacement in literature and cultural studies.

2. News Article Sengupta, Somini. “The Growing Crisis of Climate Refugees.” The New York Times, 2019. Annotation (Approx. 75 words): This news article discusses the increasing number of people displaced due to climate-related disasters. It presents real-life examples from South Asia and Africa and emphasizes global inequality. The article provides contemporary evidence of environmental displacement and helps connect literary representations of refugees with current events. It is valuable as a journalistic source offering factual reporting and human-centered narratives.

3. Book Ghosh, Amitav. The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable. University of Chicago Press, 2016. Annotation (Approx. 85 words): In this non-fiction work, Ghosh critiques modern literature for failing to address climate change adequately. He links environmental crisis with colonial history and migration patterns. The book provides theoretical grounding for analyzing refugee narratives in climate fiction. It is especially useful for understanding how environmental displacement is both a political and cultural issue.

4. Book Chapter Nixon, Rob. “Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor.” Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor, Harvard UP, 2011, pp. 1–44. Annotation (Approx. 90 words): This chapter introduces the concept of “slow violence,” referring to gradual environmental destruction that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Nixon argues that environmental harm often leads to displacement and invisibility. The theoretical framework helps analyze refugee narratives as consequences of long-term ecological exploitation. It strengthens the research by connecting environmental injustice with forced migration.

5. Encyclopedia Entry

“Refugee.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023. Annotation (Approx. 60 words): This entry defines the term “refugee” and explains its legal and historical context under international law. It provides foundational knowledge about refugee status, rights, and global statistics. This source is useful for establishing clear definitions and contextual background before moving into literary or theoretical analysis.

6. Webpage United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Climate Change and Disaster Displacement.” UNHCR, www.unhcr.org.

Annotation (Approx. 80 words): This webpage outlines UNHCR’s perspective on climate-induced displacement. It includes data, policy approaches, and humanitarian strategies. The source offers credible institutional insight into how refugee crises are addressed globally. It is particularly helpful for connecting literary analysis with international policy frameworks.

 

7. Video

United Nations. “Climate Change and Human Mobility.” YouTube, uploaded by United Nations, 2021. Annotation (Approx. 70 words): This video discusses how climate change contributes to human displacement worldwide. It features interviews with experts and affected individuals. The audiovisual format adds emotional and visual depth to the topic. It complements academic sources by presenting real voices and lived experiences of refugees.

8. Image United Nations Photo. “Syrian Refugee Family Crossing Border,” 2015. Annotation (Approx. 55 words): This photograph captures a refugee family seeking safety across national borders. The image visually represents vulnerability, displacement, and resilience. It supports qualitative research by offering visual documentation of refugee experiences, enriching textual and theoretical analysis.

Part 2 Inclusive Language Analysis

Research Article Chosen:

Crawley, Heaven, and Dimitris Skleparis. “Refugees, Migrants, Neither, Both: Categorical Fetishism and the Politics of Bounding in Europe’s ‘Migration Crisis.’” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, vol. 44, no. 1, 2018, pp. 48–64. Print. Analysis: According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th ed.), writers should use language that is precise, respectful, and free from bias or discriminatory implications. Academic writing must avoid stereotyping, oversimplification, and language that diminishes individuals or groups. The introductory section of Crawley and Skleparis’s article clearly follows these MLA principles. First, the authors avoid generalizations about displaced populations. Instead of treating refugees and migrants as identical or homogeneous groups, they critically examine the political construction of these labels. This demonstrates precision in terminology, which MLA emphasizes as essential for ethical scholarship. Second, the authors use people-centered language. Rather than employing dehumanizing expressions, they focus on the lived experiences of individuals affected by migration policies. The tone remains analytical and respectful, avoiding emotionally loaded or biased wording. Third, the introduction acknowledges the role of media and political discourse in shaping public perceptions. By questioning simplified categories, the authors challenge reductive narratives and promote a more nuanced understanding. This aligns with MLA 7’s guidance to avoid language that perpetuates prejudice or marginalization. Overall, the article’s introduction adheres to MLA 7th edition principles by maintaining clarity, fairness, and respectful representation of vulnerable communities. It demonstrates responsible academic practice through careful word choice and critical awareness of identity-based terminology.