How to Do MLA Citation: A Comprehensive Guide
MLA (Modern Language Association) citation is a widely used formatting style in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. Mastering MLA citation ensures your research is credible, avoids plagiarism, and demonstrates academic integrity. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of MLA citation, covering in-text citations and the Works Cited page.
Understanding MLA Citation Basics
Before diving into specifics, let's establish the core principles of MLA citation:
- Giving Credit: MLA citation is all about properly attributing information and ideas to their original sources. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism, which can have serious academic consequences.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency throughout your paper. Use the same format for all citations and entries in your Works Cited page.
- Accuracy: Ensure all information—author names, publication dates, titles, etc.—is accurate and verifiable.
In-Text Citations: Weaving Sources into Your Writing
In-text citations are brief references within your text that signal the source of information. They usually include the author's last name and the page number (or other relevant locator, like paragraph number for online sources).
Common In-Text Citation Examples:
- Author's Name in the Sentence: "Smith argues that climate change is a significant threat (14)."
- Author's Name in Parentheses: "Climate change is a significant threat (Smith 14)."
- Multiple Authors: For two authors, list both last names (e.g., Smith and Jones 14). For three or more, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (Smith et al. 14).
- No Author: If no author is listed, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks (e.g., ("Climate Change" 14)).
- Online Sources Without Page Numbers: Use paragraph numbers (e.g., (Smith, para. 3)) or a descriptive locator (e.g., (Smith, sec. 2)).
The Works Cited Page: Your Source List
The Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you cited. It provides the complete bibliographic information for each source, allowing readers to easily find and verify your information.
Formatting the Works Cited Page:
- Heading: Center the heading "Works Cited" at the top of the page.
- Alphabetical Order: List entries alphabetically by the first word of each citation.
- Hanging Indents: Use hanging indents, meaning the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
- Consistent Formatting: Maintain consistent formatting for all elements (font, spacing, punctuation).
Common Works Cited Entry Examples:
Book:
- Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Example: Smith, John. The Impact of Climate Change. Green Press, 2023.
Journal Article:
- Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Vol. Number, Issue Number, Year, pages.
Example: Jones, Jane. "Ecosystems and Climate Change." Environmental Science Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, 2022, pp. 45-60.
Website:
- Author's Name (if available). "Title of Webpage." Name of Website, Date of Publication (if available), URL.
Example: Doe, John. "Understanding Global Warming." Environmental Protection Agency, 2023, www.epa.gov/climatechange
Mastering MLA Citation: Tips and Resources
- Use a Style Guide: Invest in a comprehensive MLA style guide for detailed explanations and examples.
- Online Citation Generators: While helpful, always double-check the output of online citation generators for accuracy.
- Consult Your Instructor: If you have any doubts, always consult your instructor or professor for guidance on specific citation requirements.
By following these guidelines and practicing consistently, you'll master MLA citation and present your research with academic integrity and precision. Remember, accurate citation is crucial for credible academic work.
