How To Cite in MLA Format: A Comprehensive Guide
MLA (Modern Language Association) format is widely used in humanities disciplines for citing sources. Mastering MLA citation is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit where it's due. This guide will walk you through the essentials, from in-text citations to the Works Cited page.
Understanding MLA In-Text Citations
In-text citations are brief references within your text that correspond to a full citation in your Works Cited page. They typically include the author's last name and page number (if available).
Basic In-Text Citation:
- Example: Smith argues that "the impact of social media is undeniable" (12).
This shows a quote from Smith's work, with the page number (12) indicating where the quote is found.
Variations in In-Text Citations:
- Multiple Authors (2-3): List all authors' last names (Jones, Brown, and Davis 5).
- Multiple Authors (4+): Use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (Miller et al. 15).
- No Author: Use a shortened version of the title (enclosed in quotation marks if it's an article, italicized if it's a book). Example: ("Social Media's Impact" 23).
- Unknown Page Numbers (e.g., websites): Omit the page number. Example: (Smith).
- Multiple Works by the Same Author: Include a shortened title to distinguish the works. Example: (Smith, "Social Media" 12).
Constructing Your Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper and lists all the sources you cited. This page follows specific formatting rules.
Basic Formatting Rules for Works Cited:
- Heading: Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the page.
- Alphabetical Order: List sources alphabetically by the first word of each entry (usually the author's last name).
- Hanging Indentation: Indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry by 0.5 inches.
- Double-Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout the entire page.
Common Source Types and Their MLA Citations:
1. Books:
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Example: Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Example: Smith, John. The Impact of Social Media. Oxford University Press, 2023.
2. Journal Articles:
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Example: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Vol. Number, Issue Number, Year, pages.
Example: Jones, Mary. "Analyzing Social Media Trends." Journal of Communication Studies, vol. 15, no. 2, 2022, pp. 55-72.
3. Website Articles:
-
Example: Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Website, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL.
*Example: Brown, David. "The Ethics of Social Media." The Online Journal of Ethics, ACM, 15 Oct. 2021, www.example.com/ethics.
4. Online Videos:
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Example: Creator Name. Title of Video. Platform, Date of Upload, URL.
Example: Doe, Jane. Social Media Marketing Strategies. YouTube, 10 Nov. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.
Tips for Success:
- Use a Citation Management Tool: Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
- Consult the MLA Handbook: The official MLA Handbook provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on MLA style. Your college or university library will have a copy.
- Review Your Citations Carefully: Double-check for accuracy before submitting your work.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately cite your sources using MLA format, ensuring your academic integrity and presenting your research professionally. Remember, consistent and accurate citation is crucial for academic success.
