How To Cite an Article in MLA Style: A Comprehensive Guide
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in academic writing. Knowing how to properly cite sources, including articles, is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit where it's due. This guide will walk you through citing various types of articles in MLA format.
Understanding MLA Citation Basics
Before we dive into specific examples, let's review the fundamental structure of an MLA citation:
- Author's Last Name, First Name. This is the first element. If there's no author, use the article title or website name.
- "Article Title." Enclose the article title in quotation marks.
- Publication Title, Italicize the title of the journal, magazine, or website.
- Volume Number. (if applicable)
- Issue Number. (if applicable)
- Date of Publication. Use a consistent date format (e.g., Day Month Year).
- Page Numbers. Include the page range if available. For online articles, use paragraph numbers or section headings if page numbers are absent.
- URL or DOI. Include a stable URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online sources.
Citing Different Types of Articles
Here are examples demonstrating how to cite various article types in MLA format:
1. Journal Article (Print)
Example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Journal of Adolescent Psychology, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 55-72.
Key elements explained:
- Smith, John: Author's name.
- "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers": Article title.
- Journal of Adolescent Psychology: Journal title (italicized).
- vol. 15, no. 2: Volume and issue number.
- 2023: Year of publication.
- pp. 55-72: Page numbers.
2. Journal Article (Online)
Example:
Jones, Mary. "Climate Change and Coastal Erosion." Environmental Science Review, vol. 20, no. 1, 2024, doi:10.1000/esr.12345.
Key differences from print citation:
- DOI: Instead of page numbers, a DOI is used. If no DOI is available, use a stable URL.
3. Magazine Article (Print)
Example:
Brown, Sarah. "The Future of Artificial Intelligence." Time, 15 May 2024, pp. 30-35.
Key elements:
- Note the use of a shortened month name.
4. Magazine Article (Online)
Example:
Davis, Emily. "The Rise of Veganism." Vegetarian Times, 20 June 2024, www.vegetariantimes.com/veganism-rise/.
Key elements:
- Note the use of a stable URL. Always aim to use a permalink if available.
5. Newspaper Article (Print)
Example:
Garcia, David. "Local Elections Bring Surprises." The Daily News, 10 Nov. 2023, p. A3.
6. Newspaper Article (Online)
Example:
Wilson, Alex. "Economic Outlook Remains Uncertain." The New York Times, 12 Dec. 2023, www.nytimes.com/economic-outlook/.
Handling Multiple Authors & No Author
- Multiple Authors (up to three): List all authors' names in the order they appear on the article.
- More than Three Authors: Use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
- No Author: Begin with the article title.
Using MLA Citations in Your Works Cited Page
Your Works Cited page should appear at the end of your paper. All entries should be alphabetized by the first element in the citation (usually the author's last name). Remember to double-space your entire Works Cited page and use hanging indents for each entry.
This guide provides a solid foundation for citing articles in MLA style. Remember to always double-check the specifics based on your source material and consult the official MLA Handbook for the most current guidelines. Using a citation management tool can also significantly help in organizing and formatting your citations.
