Letters from Readers: What is the correct way to cite evidence?

A faithful reader of The Writing Korner recently sent in this email:

When the kids are quoting something in their writing, are they supposed to do it MLA style?  If they take a quote from one of the articles on the PBPA, how should they cite this?

Thanks, writing guru!

Dear Faithful Reader,

Consider the following example for using Direct and Indirect quotes:

     Researchers also believe that we are born with a knack for mathematics.  In the article, "Gut Math," Dr. Knowitall states, "even lowly invertebrates such as the common sea cucumber can estimate the number of polyps in a community and will consistently choose the largest nutritional source."  Dr. Knowitall also explains how fish will seek out larger schools to swim with, and how primates can estimate the number of bananas in a bunch from some pretty far distances.  Dr. Knowitall then compares her findings in the animal kingdom to similar research done on human beings, including small children and Alzheimer's patients.  With respect to small children, the research proves that infants can estimate the amount of milk in a bottle and will always choose the greater quantity.   All of this research can only lead to the conclusion that all humans are born with a knack for mathematics.

The above example shows that the writer has an understanding of the article and is able to relate that understanding back to the topic of the essay, which was basically, "we are all born with a knack for mathematics."  Notice how the writer gives credit to the article and the researcher in the sentence, and does not have use parenthesis or MLA style.  

I do encourage my students to put quotation marks around the titles of the articles as well. I guess this can be considered MLA style.  I tell them to underline book titles in their classroom writing as well.  I believe this simple convention will satisfy  even the strictest of graders on the FSA Writing Test.

Thank you for your letter.

Sincerely,

The Writing Guru (whoever that is)