MLA Style

How to Cite in MLA Style
How To's:

• The Works Cited page is on a separate sheet of paper at the end of the document.
• The words Works Cited should be centered at the top of the page.
• Do Not number entries.
• Double space entries (not each line).
• Indent the second and all following lines of each entry 5 spaces (a hanging indent).
• All entries should be in alphabetical order by the first word of the entry.
• If a work has no author given, start with the title of the work.
• If a work has more than one author, only the first author is listed Last Name, First Name. The second and third authors are listed First Name, Last Name. Example: Smith, Mary and John Jones.
• Underline or italicize (not both) the titles of books, magazine and newspapers.
• Use quotation marks “ ” for short works within larger work such as articles in an encyclopedia, newspaper or magazine.

See the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers for a complete listing of how to cite research papers.

Examples

Book
Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, date.

Article or Essay in an Anthology
Last name, First name. “Title of Essay.” Title of the Book. Editor. Place of publication: Publisher, date. Page numbers.

Encyclopedia Article
Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of the Encyclopedia. Place of publication: Publisher, date. Page numbers.

Journal Article
Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal volume number (date): page number.

Newspaper Article
Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper date: page number.

Web Site
Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Work (if known).” Title of the Website. Published date. Date of access – Day Month Year. < Full address of URL >.

*** Citing a website can be difficult. If you can not find an author’s name start with the title of the work. ***

Online Database
Most online databases tell you exactly how to cite their information. If this is not available, cite the work as a print resource, then add the name of the database, the URL and the date you accessed the site.