A Comprehensive Guide to MLA Format Citation

When it comes to academic writing, appropriate citation is the foundation of credibility and integrity. Among the various citation styles available, the Modern Language Association (MLA) format stands out as one of the most widely used in the academic community. Whether you are a student, researcher, or writer, understanding the particulars of MLA format citation is important for producing well-referenced and authoritative papers. In this article, we will delve into the key components of MLA format citation and give examples of how to cite different types of sources according to MLA 9^th latest version. This complete article will provide everything you need to know to write my paper with confidence by providing you with a step-by-step guide to write your paper with the correct citations.

A Brief Overview of the MLA Format Citation

MLA, or the Modern Language Association, is a referencing style that provides guidelines for formatting and acknowledging sources used in a paper. The MLA format citation consists of two parts: Parenthetical and In-text Citations, and Works Cited. Parenthetical citations are used within the text to refer to sources, while the Works Cited section presents a list of references at the end of the paper. This system allows readers to access and verify the sources used in the paper, promoting trustworthiness and reliability in the information presented.

In April 2021, the 9th edition of the MLA Handbook was released to cater to the evolving needs of authors and establish consistent standards for documenting their papers. By following these guidelines, writers can legitimize their work and communicate ideas in a standardized way. The MLA format citation styles are commonly adopted by researchers and scholars in the humanities, such as literature, philosophy, and languages, as it enhances readability and establishes the credibility of authors by holding them accountable for their sources. Moreover, adhering to MLA format helps prevent unintentional or intentional plagiarism, which involves using sources without proper credit.

MLA Referencing Basics

MLA format citations can be categorized into two types: Parenthetical or In-Text citations and Works-Cited.

2.1 Basic Parenthetical or In-Text Citation Guidelines

According to the MLA referencing style, any content paraphrased or quoted from other works should be referenced using in-text citations. In the MLA format citation, parenthetical citations are used by placing relevant sources in parentheses whenever a paraphrase or quotation is included in a sentence. These citations should be clear and concise, typically including the author’s name(s) or editor(s) and the page number.

Some guiding principles for in-text citations are as follows:

• Only provide the necessary information for identifying the source, usually the author’s last name and page number.
• Place the reference before the punctuation that concludes the sentence, phrase, or clause containing the cited material.
• Position the parenthetical reference as close as possible to its source within the text.
• Cite online and electronic sources similarly to print resources in parenthetical references. If there are no page numbers in an online source, omit them from the citation. However, if the source has fixed page numbers, such as paragraph numbers, include them in the citation.

2.2 Basic Guidelines for Works-Cited

The reference list in the 9th edition of MLA format is titled ‘Works-Cited.’ Here are the fundamental guidelines for formatting the Works-Cited page:

• Start the Works-Cited List on a new page at the end of the document.
• Use a 1-inch margin, and indent the second and subsequent lines of each source by 0.5 inches from the margin.
• Arrange works by the same author chronologically. If multiple works were done in the same year, sort them alphabetically by title.
• Organize the list alphabetically based on the first author’s name.
• Ensure all entries have double spacing.
• When citing several works by the same author, use the full name in the first reference and replace subsequent references with ‘—‘.
• Include complete references for all in-text citations used in the paper

How to Cite Different Sources in MLA Format Citation?

1. Books

Basic Works-Cited Format:

Author. Title of the Source. Title of Container, Other contributors (editors or translators), Version (edition), Number (no. or vol.), Publisher, Date of Publication, Location (paragraphs, pages, URL, or DOI).

a. Single Author

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Publication Date.

Example:

Smith, Emily. The Enchanted Forest. Greenleaf Publishers, 2018.

In-text Citation Format

Direct Quotation: Smith (76) argues that…

Paraphrased: (Smith 76)

b. Two Authors

Author 1’s Last Name, First Name, and Author 2’s First Name Last Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.

Example:

Johnson, Michael, and Lisa Parker. Time Travelers. Starbound Books, 2005.

In-text Citation Format

Direct Quotation: Johnson and Parker (112) propose that…

Paraphrased: (Johnson & Parker 112)

c. Three or More Authors

Author 1’s Last Name, First Name, et al. Title of the Book. Publisher, Publication Date.

Example:

Garcia, Maria, et al. Journey to the Stars. Cosmic Press, 2022.

In-text Citation Format

Direct Quotation: Garcia et al. (220) state that…

Paraphrased: (Garcia et al., 220)

d. Sources Without Any Author:

If there is no author, the title should be included within quotation marks followed by a bracket.

Direct Quotation: “The Secret Garden” illustrates that…

Paraphrased: (“The Secret Garden”)

2. eBooks

Works Cited format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the E-book. Publisher, Year Published. Website Title, URL.

Example:

Ross, Sarah. The Virtual Odyssey. E-Books Publishing, 2022. Digital Library, www.examplelibrary.com/virtual-odyssey.

In-text citation:

E-book Author’s Last Name… (page number)

Ross… (87).

Parenthetical citation: (E-book Author’s Last Name, page number)

(Ross 87).

3. Articles and Periodicals

Periodicals, including newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals, require specific citation formats, especially when accessed from online databases with DOIs or URLs.

A. Journal Article from Library Database with DOI or URL

a. Single Author

Works-Cited Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number. Name of Database, doi:DOI number/URL/Permalink.

Example:

Thompson, Laura. “The Impact of Climate Change on Arctic Wildlife.” Environmental Studies Review, vol. 25, no. 3, 2023, pp. 45-58. Academic Search Complete, https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2022.14567.

In-Text Citation Example:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Thompson 47).

b. Two Authors

Works Cited Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name, and Second Author’s First Name Last Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number. Name of Database, https://doi.org/DOI number.

Example:

Williams, Michael J., and Emily Simmons. “The Effects of Meditation on Stress Reduction.” Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 18, no. 2, 2021, pp. 189-202. PsycINFO, https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312458690.

In-text citation example:

(First Author’s Last Name and Second Author’s Last Name Page Number)

Example: (Williams and Simmons 193).

c. Three or More Authors

First Author’s Last Name, First Name, et al. “Title of Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number. Name of Database, doi:DOI number/URL/Permalink.

Works Cited List Example:

Davis, John, et al. “Exploring the Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health.” Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 30, no. 4, 2020, pp. 556-572. PsycARTICLES, https://doi.org/10.1177/014662167901000702.

In-Text Citation Example:

(First Author’s Surname et al. Page Number)

(Davis et al. 560).

B. Journal Article from Library Database Without a DOI Number

Single Author

Works Cited Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number. Name of Database.

Example:

Robinson, Lisa M. “The Impact of Technology on Educational Practices.” Journal of Educational Studies, vol. 42, no. 2, 2019, pp. 225-240. JSTOR, www.jstor.org.ezproxy.lib.uwf.edu/stable/30053134.

In-Text Citation Example:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Robinson 230)

 

C. Journal Article from a Website

Works Cited Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number if Given, URL. Accessed Day Month Year site was visited.

Example:

Miller, Laura. “The Art of Storytelling: Unveiling the Creative Process.” Creative Writing Today, vol. 15, no. 3, 2021, pp. 56-72, www.creativewritingtoday.com/art-of-storytelling. Accessed 18 May 2023.

In-Text Citation:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Miller 62)

 

D. Scholarly Article in a Print Journal

Works Cited Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. First Page Number-Last Page Number.

Example:

Baker, James W. “The Role of Ethics in Business Leadership.” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 28, no. 4, 2018, pp. 120-135.

In-Text Citation:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Baker 125)

E. Print Magazine Articles

Works-Cited:

Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of the Periodical, Day Month Year, pages.

Johnson, Mary K. “The Art of Gardening.” Home and Garden Living, 10 May 2022, pp. 38-42.

In-text Citation:

(Author’s Last name page Number)

(Johnson 40)

F. Online Magazine Articles

Works cited format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Title of the Website, Date of Publication, URL. Access date.

Example:

Anderson, Robert. “The Future of Renewable Energy.” Green Energy Today, 14 June 2023, www.greenenergytoday.com/future-of-renewable-energy. Accessed 25 July 2023.

In-Text Citation: (Author’s Last name page Number)

(Anderson 7)

G. Print Newspaper Articles

Works-Cited:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Newspaper, Publication Date, p. Page number.

Smith, Jennifer L. “Local Artists Shine at Gallery Exhibition.” The Daily Gazette, 20 June 2021, p. B2.

In-Text Citation:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Smith B2)

H. Online Newspaper Articles

Works cited format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article: Subtitle if Any.” Title of Newspaper, Date of Publication, p. Page Number. Name of Database, URL.

Example:

Williams, John. “New Study Shows Surprising Results on Health Supplements.” The Health Times, 5 Aug. 2022, p. 3A. Health Database, www.healthtimes.com/article/123456.

In-Text Citation: (Author’s Last Name Page Number)

(Williams 3A)

4. Media

A. Movies

a. From DVD or Viewed in Theater

Title of Movie. Director(s), Production Company, Year of Release.

Example: The Avengers. Directed by Joss Whedon, Marvel Studios, 2012.

In-Text Citation:

(Title of Movie Start Time of Relevant Section-End Time of Section)

(The Avengers 01:15:15-01:20:03)

b. From a Streaming Service

Title of Movie. Director(s), Production Company, Year of Release. Streaming Service, URL.

The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994. Netflix, www.netflix.com/movies/the-shawshank-redemption.

In-Text Citation Example:

(Movie Title Start Time of Relevant Section-End Time of Section)

(The Shawshank Redemption 00:24:00-00:26:10)

B. YouTube Video

General Works Cited Format:

” Video Title.” YouTube, uploaded by Screen Name, Day Month Year, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.

If the author of the video is not the same as the person who uploaded the video, the citation will be formatted as follows:

Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Screen Name, Day Month Year, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.

Example:

“How to Bake the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies.” YouTube, uploaded by BakingWithJess, 12 June 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234.

In-Text Citation:

(“Shortened Version of the Title” Start Time of Relevant Section-End Time of Section)

(“Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies” 00:03:30-00:04:16)

5. Social Media

A. Podcast

Works Cited Format:

Host’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Podcast Episode.” Title of Overall Podcast, Episode Number if available, Website hosting if different from podcast title, Day Month Year of Episode, URL of episode. Accessed Day Month Year podcast was downloaded/played.

Example:

Jameson, Sarah. “Interview with Bestselling Author: John Green.” Book Talk with Sarah, Episode 32, Book Lovers Podcast, 20 July 2023, www.booktalk.com/episode32. Accessed 5 Aug. 2023

B. Twitter

Works Cited Format:

Twitter Handle (First Name Last Name if Known). “The entire tweet word-by-word.” Twitter, Day Month Year of Tweet, Time of Tweet, URL.

Example:

@sarah_miller. “Excited to announce my new book is hitting stores next week! #bookrelease #excitingtimes.” Twitter, 4 Aug. 2023, 9:45 a.m., twitter.com/sarah_miller/status/98765432.

While we are discussing MLA format citation, you may also be interested in learning what is APA format. Check out the article on APA to learn about the nitty-gritty of this formatting style.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, this comprehensive article has given you a complete picture of the MLA format citation and you also understood how to format different sources according to MLA. Feel free to get in touch with expert academic professionals if you want to know more about referencing styles. PenMyPaper has a team of skilled writers who will provide any kind of dissertation writing help. So, don’t hesitate to buy an essay; connect with us for academic support.

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