How To Cite in MLA Format: A Comprehensive Guide
MLA (Modern Language Association) format is widely used in the humanities, particularly in writing essays, research papers, and literary analyses. Knowing how to properly cite sources in MLA format is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit where it's due. This guide will walk you through the essentials, helping you master MLA citation.
Understanding MLA Citation Basics
The core principle of MLA citation is to provide your reader with enough information to easily locate the source you've used. This typically involves two key components:
- In-text citations: Brief references within your paper that indicate the source of specific information.
- Works Cited page: A separate page at the end of your paper listing all the sources you've cited, providing full bibliographic information.
In-Text Citations: The Heart of MLA Style
In-text citations are short, parenthetical references placed directly within your text. They typically include the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the information is taken.
Example: Shakespeare's portrayal of Lady Macbeth is compelling ("complex" 123).
- Author's name: "Shakespeare" is the author's last name.
- Page number: "123" is the page number where the quote or information is found. If quoting directly, the page number is crucial.
Handling Different Source Types:
- One Author: (Smith 15).
- Two Authors: (Smith and Jones 22).
- Three or More Authors: (Smith et al. 45). ("et al." is an abbreviation for "and others").
- No Author: ("Title of Work" 78). Use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks.
- Website or Online Source with No Page Numbers: Use paragraph numbers if available, or a section heading if paragraphs aren't numbered (e.g., (Smith, "Introduction")). If neither is available, you may omit the page/paragraph number entirely.
Creating Your Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper and provides full bibliographic information for each source cited. It's alphabetized by the first element of each entry (usually the author's last name).
Formatting Your Works Cited Page:
- Heading: Center the heading "Works Cited" at the top of the page.
- Entries: Each entry follows a specific format, depending on the source type (book, article, website, etc.).
- Hanging Indents: Use hanging indents (the first line is flush left, subsequent lines are indented) for each entry.
Example Works Cited Entries:
- Book:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Example:
Smith, John. The History of Cats. Oxford University Press, 2023.
- Journal Article:
Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, year, pages. Database, DOI or URL.
Example:
Jones, Mary. "The Impact of Social Media." Journal of Communication, vol. 70, no. 2, 2020, pp. 250-275. JSTOR, doi:10.1086/709876.
- Website:
Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Page." Website Name, Date, URL.
Example:
Brown, Sarah. "The Future of AI." TechReview, 15 June 2024, www.techreview.com/ai-future.
Mastering MLA Citation: Key Takeaways
Remember, consistent and accurate citation is essential for academic integrity. While this guide covers the fundamentals, the specifics can vary. Consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date and comprehensive guidelines. Utilizing online MLA citation generators can help, but always double-check their output for accuracy. Accurate citation demonstrates your research skills and avoids potential accusations of plagiarism. With practice, mastering MLA citation becomes second nature.
