Formating a Paper with MLA Style- Citations
MLA Format
When writing in MLA style, you have specific guidelines that you have to follow and abide by. One of the most important is the Works Cited Page.
When using MLA style writing, you will want to do a few things when citing sources, such as:
- When writing author's names, list the last name, first name, then middle initial.
- Separate authors by comas
- When writing the date, do so as year, month day.
MLA Works Cited Format:
Title
At the top of a new page, type Works Cited in the center of the top of the page.
Spacing
The entire paper should already be double spaced, so should the works cited page.
Indentation
The first line of each source should be at the margin of the paper, but any line thereafter should be indented 5 spaces.
Source Titles
Underline or italicize titles of books, periodicals, films, and TV series (not the individual episode, though)
MLA Citations
Book- 1 author
Author. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, year.
Book- 2 authors
Author, Author. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, year.
Book- 3 or more authors
Author, et al. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, year.
Journal Article
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical. Volume (Year). Page.
Newpaper or Magazine Article
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical. Date: Page.
Book Article or Chapter
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Book. Editor. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page.
Encyclopedia Article
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical. Editor. Volume. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date.
Gale Publisher- or other books that feature reprinted articles
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Date of Original: Page. Rpt in Title of Book. Editor. Volume. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date. Page.
Website
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Website. Copywrite Date. Publisher. Date Information was Retrieved <URL>.
Newspaper or Magazine Article On a Website
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Copywrite date. Page. Publisher. Date Information was Retrieved <URL>.
Help with MLA Format
- MLA (Modern Language Association)
Not-for-profit membership organization that promotes the study and teaching of language and literature. - Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format
Brought to you by Purdue University Online Writing Lab. - Landmark Project: Citation Machine
Interactive web tool which helps teachers and students produce reference citations. Includes information on how to format MLA and APA citations. - MLA Documentation
From The Writing Center at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Provides information on using MLA style to create works cited and parenthetical citations.