Instead of teaching “MLA format,” Thomas teaches “citation as a concept in real-world essays” by focusing students on Internet-published essays utilizing hyperlinks for sourcing. The essay is an argument requiring evidence, but the evidence must be linked. This need creates problems students must solve while considering the audience, rather than worrying about teacher prohibitions or disciplinary rules. Students must decide which words to link, as well as how to frame the evidence, knowing that many readers will not click the links.
