A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Language Association StyleMLA Citation Guidelines
Introduction to MLA Citation Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in academic writing, particularly in the fields of languages and literature. First established in 1951, MLA style provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages.
Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material by other writers.
Why Citations Matter
Citations serve several important purposes:
- They give credit to the original creator of ideas, theories, and research
- They demonstrate the breadth of your research
- They allow readers to locate the original sources for further reading
- They protect you from plagiarism accusations
- They establish your authority as a researcher
Basic Principles of MLA Formatting
MLA style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using the English language in writing. MLA style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages.
General Guidelines:
- Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper
- Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g., Times New Roman)
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides
- Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin
- Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner
In-Text Citations in MLA Style
MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page.
Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).
Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name. Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work (such as an article) or italicize it if it's a longer work (e.g. plays, books, television shows, entire Web sites).
We see so many global warming hotspots in North America likely because this region has "more readily accessible climatic data and more comprehensive programs to monitor and study environmental change..." ("Impact of Global Warming" 6).
Works Cited Page Formatting
The Works Cited page(s) should always begin on a separate page at the end of your research paper. It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of your paper.
General format:
- Label the page Works Cited (do not italicize the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page
- Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries
- Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inch to create a hanging indent
- List page numbers of sources efficiently, when needed
- Use italics for titles of larger works (books, magazines) and quotation marks for titles of shorter works (poems, articles)
Common Citation Examples
Books
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.
Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. Penguin, 1987.
Journal Articles
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Publication Date, pp. Page numbers.
Bagchi, Alaknanda. "Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in Mahasweta Devi's Bashai Tudu." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature, vol. 15, no. 1, 1996, pp. 41-50.
Websites
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Website, Publisher, Publication Date, URL.
Lundman, Susan. "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow, www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html, 6 July 2017.
Newspaper Articles
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Newspaper, Publication Date, pp. Page numbers.
Brubaker, Bill. "New Health Center Targets County's Uninsured Patients." The Washington Post, 24 May 2007, p. LZ01.
Special Cases and Advanced Considerations
Multiple Authors
For a source with three or more authors, list only the first author's name followed by "et al.":
Okuda, Michael, and Denise Okuda. Star Trek Chronology: The History of the Future. Pocket, 1993.
Wysocki, Anne Frances, et al. Composition New Media: Writing, Reading, and Identity in a Digital Era. Utah State UP, 2004.
Electronic Sources
Most web browsers will include URL/Electronic Address information when you print, which makes later reference easy. Also, remember to use n.p. for no publisher given and n.d. for no date given:
"How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow, www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html. Accessed 6 July 2017.
Sources Without Dates
When a source has no publication date, use the abbreviation "n.d." in place of the date:
Smith, John. The Future of Artificial Intelligence. n.d., www.example.com/ai-future.
Modern Updates to MLA Style
The most recent update (MLA 9th edition) maintains the principles of previous editions while adding some flexibility to accommodate various types of digital sources. Key changes include:
Key updates in MLA 9th edition:
- More emphasis on the principles of documentation rather than rigid rules
- Greater flexibility in citing digital sources
- Simplified approach to DOIs and URLs
- Updated guidance on inclusive language
- Addition of guidance on citing podcasts, social media, and other emerging sources
Tips for Effective Citation
- Gather citation information as you research, not at the end
- Use citation management software (like Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley) to help organize and generate citations
- Double-check automatically generated citations for accuracy
- Be consistent in your formatting throughout your document
- When in doubt, provide more information rather than less
Mastering MLA citation style takes practice, but adhering to these guidelines will help ensure your academic work meets professional standards of attribution and integrity.
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MLA Citation Guidelines For Academic Research Papers and Reference File Download Link
