Fact Sheet: NoodleTools

By JPUncategorized

Setting Up NoodleTools

NoodleTools is a comprehensive platform designed to assist students and researchers with the entire research process, from source management to citation creation.

It supports various citation styles including MLA, APA, and Chicago, making it a versatile tool for academic writing. Here’s a primer on how to get started with NoodleTools, specifically focusing on setting it up and creating an MLA citation.

Detailed Registration Process for NoodleTools

Accessing the Registration Page

  1. Click here to navigate to the NoodleTools sign in page.
  2. NOTE: save this link for future NoodleTools access. The url must include “nvc” in the address or you won’t be able to log in.
  3. Go to Register: On the sign-in page, you’ll see a question that asks, “Don’t have an account?” Next to this, there’s a “Register” link. Click this link to begin the registration process.

Filling Out Personal Information

  1. Select Account Type: Make sure “I am a student or library patron” is checked. Put in your expected year of graduation.
  2. Enter Personal Details:
    • Personal ID: Choose a personal ID, which is your username essentially.
    • Password: choose a password.
    • Phone Number (last 4 digits only). NoodleTools uses this info for account recovery.
    • Email Address: Enter a valid email address. This will be used for account recovery and notifications.
    • Click the Register button: Clicking this button will create your NoodleTools account.
    • Confirmation: Once your account is created, you may receive a confirmation email. Follow any instructions in the email to verify your account, if required.

Final Steps

  • Log In to Your New Account: Return to the NoodleTools sign-in page and use your newly created username and password to log in.
  • Begin Using NoodleTools: Now that you’re logged in, you can start a new project, explore the platform, and begin adding sources and citations.

Why We Use NoodleTools

We use NoodleTools because it makes it easy to generate a properly formatted Works Cited page.

Follow these steps to create, download, and add it to your paper.

NoodleTools Work Cited button.jpg

Step 1: Access Your Citations

    1. Log in to NoodleTools and open your project.
    2. Click the “Sources” tab to view your saved citations.

Step 2: Generate and Download Your Works Cited Page

    1. Look for the button at the top of the dashboard that looks sort of like a house (see image to the right). Click “Print/Export” and select “Export to Word” or “Export to Google Docs.”
    2. NoodleTools will generate a correctly formatted Works Cited page.

Step 3: Add to Your Paper

    1. Download the file and open it in your word processor.
    2. Copy and paste the Works Cited text to the end of your essay.
    3. Ensure formatting is correct:
      • Title “Works Cited” is centered.
      • List is double-spaced with a hanging indent.
    4. Save and print your final paper with the Works Cited page included.

By using NoodleTools, you ensure that your citations are accurate and formatted correctly with minimal effort.

MLA Citations Using NoodleTools

Creating an MLA citation using NoodleTools involves several steps that guide you through selecting the source type, inputting source details, and ensuring that your citation meets all the necessary MLA guidelines. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Starting Your Citation

  1. Log into NoodleTools: Access your account by logging in with your username and password.
  2. Select Your Project: Choose the project you’re working on from your dashboard. If you haven’t created a project yet, start a new one by clicking on “New Project,” naming it, choosing MLA as the citation style, and specifying your project level.
  3. Navigate to the Sources Tab: Within your project, find and click on the “Sources” tab to begin adding your citation.

Step 2: Creating a New Citation

  1. Click on ‘Create New Citation’: Inside the Sources tab, you’ll see an option to “Create new citation.” Click on it.
  2. Choose the Source Type: You’ll be prompted to select where you found your source. Options include a book, database, website, journal, etc. Select the one that matches your source.

Step 3: Filling in the Source Details

  1. Input Citation Information: Depending on the type of source you’ve chosen, you’ll be asked to fill in various details. Common fields include author’s name, article or book title, publication date, pages, URL (for online sources), and the date you accessed the source. For an MLA citation, ensure you:
    • Include the author’s full name in the order of First name Last name.
    • Title of the book, article, or webpage should be in italics if it’s a standalone work (like a book or entire website) or in quotation marks if it’s part of a larger work (like an article in a journal or a page on a website).
    • For websites, include the publisher or sponsor of the site, and the electronic publication date if available. If not, use the date you accessed the site.
  2. Follow MLA Formatting Guidelines: NoodleTools helps guide you through this process, but it’s important to be familiar with MLA guidelines to ensure accuracy. This includes understanding how to properly format author names, titles, and publication details.

Step 4: Review and Save Your Citation

  1. Review Your Entry: Before finalizing your citation, review all the information you’ve entered for accuracy and completeness. Make sure everything is correctly formatted and spelled correctly.
  2. Save Your Citation: Once you’re satisfied with your citation, click the “Save,” “Complete,” or “Finish” button (the exact wording may vary). NoodleTools will automatically format your citation according to MLA guidelines and add it to your bibliography list.