The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is a widely accepted formatting guideline used in research papers, academic essays, and other written works. It provides a standardized way to document sources, ensuring that writers give proper credit to the original authors of the ideas, words, and data they use in their work.
Understanding MLA Citation Basics
In MLA style, citations are used to acknowledge the sources of information and ideas that are not the writer’s own. There are two types of citations: in-text citations and Works Cited page entries. In-text citations are brief references to the source of information, placed within the text of the paper, while the Works Cited page provides a detailed list of all sources cited in the paper.
In-Text Citations
In MLA style, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found. For example: (Smith 24). If the source has no author, the title of the source is used in the in-text citation. If the source has no page numbers, the in-text citation includes only the author’s last name.
| Type of Source | Example of In-Text Citation |
|---|---|
| Source with author | (Smith 24) |
| Source with no author | ("Title of Source" 24) |
| Source with no page numbers | (Smith) |
Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is a list of all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to MLA guidelines. Each entry includes the author’s name, title of the source, publication information, and other relevant details. The format of the entry varies depending on the type of source, such as a book, article, or website.
Formatting the Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is typically double-spaced, with a hanging indent for each entry. The list is arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name or the title of the source if there is no author. Entries for different types of sources have distinct formats, which can be found in the MLA Handbook or online resources.
| Type of Source | Example of Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| Book with author | Smith, John. The Book Title. Publisher, 2020. |
| Article with author | Johnson, Mary. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20. |
| Website with author | Williams, David. "Website Title." Website Title, www.websitename.com, 10 Feb. 2020. |
MLA Citation for Digital Sources
Digital sources, such as online articles, websites, and social media posts, require special consideration in MLA citations. For these sources, the URL or DOI (if available) is included in the Works Cited entry, along with the date of access.
Citing Digital Sources
When citing digital sources, it’s essential to include the following elements: author’s name, title of the source, title of the container (if applicable), version (if applicable), publisher, publication date, URL or DOI, and date of access. The format of the entry may vary depending on the type of digital source.
| Type of Digital Source | Example of Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| Online article | Johnson, Mary. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20, doi: 10.1017/S0140525X00001234. |
| Website | Williams, David. "Website Title." Website Title, www.websitename.com, 10 Feb. 2020, accessed 20 Mar. 2023. |
| Social media post | Smith, John. "Social Media Post." Twitter, 15 Jan. 2020, 12:00 p.m., twitter.com/johnsmith/status/1217245678901234. |
What is the purpose of MLA citation style?
+The purpose of MLA citation style is to provide a standardized way to document sources, ensuring that writers give proper credit to the original authors of the ideas, words, and data they use in their work.
What are the two types of citations in MLA style?
+The two types of citations in MLA style are in-text citations and Works Cited page entries. In-text citations are brief references to the source of information, placed within the text of the paper, while the Works Cited page provides a detailed list of all sources cited in the paper.
How do I format the Works Cited page in MLA style?
+The Works Cited page is typically double-spaced, with a hanging indent for each entry. The list is arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name or the title of the source if there is no author. Entries for different types of sources have distinct formats, which can be found in the MLA Handbook or online resources.
