Spencer Lanoue
Writing citations in MLA format can seem like a maze at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's not as daunting as it appears. Whether you're working on a school paper, a research project, or any piece of writing that requires proper citation, this guide will help you navigate the ins and outs of MLA citations. We'll cover everything from books to websites, and provide plenty of examples along the way to make things clear. Let's jump right in and tackle this step by step.
Citing Books: The Basics You Need to Know
Books are one of the most common sources you'll cite, so it's a good starting point. In MLA format, a book citation generally includes the author's name, the title of the book, the publisher, and the publication date. Let's break that down with an example:
Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Publication Date.
For instance, if you were citing J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," it would look like this:
Rowling, J.K. *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone*. Scholastic, 1997.
Notice the use of italics for the book title and the period at the end. These details might seem small, but they're important for keeping your citations consistent and recognizable.
Handling Multiple Authors
Sometimes, you'll come across books with more than one author. In MLA format, if a book has two authors, you list them in the order they appear on the title page. Here's how you do it:
Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Publication Date.
For a book by John Doe and Jane Smith, it would look like this:
Doe, John, and Jane Smith. *Understanding the Unseen*. Insight Press, 2020.
If there are more than two authors, you list the first author followed by "et al.," which is short for "and others." Here's an example:
Doe, John, et al. *Comprehensive Guide to MLA*. Citation Press, 2021.
Citing Articles: Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers
Articles are another common source type, and MLA has specific guidelines for these as well. The citation format for a journal article includes the author(s), the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume and issue numbers, the year of publication, and the page range. Here's the basic format:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." *Title of Journal*, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
For example, if you're citing an article by Mary Johnson in the "Journal of Modern Literature," it would look like this:
Johnson, Mary. "The Impact of Modernism on Contemporary Writing." *Journal of Modern Literature*, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 134-156.
For magazine and newspaper articles, you follow a similar structure but with slight variations. Here's an example of a magazine article citation:
Smith, Jane. "Exploring the Unknown." *Discover Magazine*, May 2023, pp. 40-42.
Online Sources: Websites and Digital Content
With so much information available online, you'll often find yourself citing websites. For a basic website citation, include the author's name (if available), the title of the page or article, the name of the website, the publication date, and the URL. Here's the format:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." *Website Name*, Day Month Year, URL.
Suppose you're citing a page from the Purdue Online Writing Lab. It might look something like this:
Purdue OWL. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." *Purdue Online Writing Lab*, 2023, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html.
Remember to include the full URL and, if possible, the publication date. If no date is available, use "n.d." for "no date."
Dealing with Special Situations: No Author or No Date
Sometimes, you might encounter sources with no clear author or publication date. When there's no author, start with the title of the work. If there's no date, use "n.d." Here's how you might handle such a citation:
"Title of Web Page." *Website Name*, n.d., URL.
And for a book with no author:
*Title of Book*. Publisher, n.d.
These situations can be a bit tricky. As long as you follow the basic MLA guidelines, you'll be on the right track.
In-Text Citations: Keeping It Simple
In-text citations in MLA format are quite straightforward. They usually consist of the author's last name and the page number from which the information was taken, all in parentheses. For instance:
"This is a quote from the book" (Smith 123).
If you're referring to an entire work rather than a specific page, you can omit the page number:
"This is a reference to the entire book" (Smith).
For sources without page numbers, like web pages, use only the author's name or the title if no author is available.
Formatting the Works Cited Page
Your Works Cited page is essential for listing all the sources you've referenced. Start this on a new page at the end of your document. Center the title "Works Cited" and double-space your entries. Here's a quick example of what a Works Cited page might look like:
Works Cited
Doe, John. *Understanding the Unseen*. Insight Press, 2020.
Johnson, Mary. "The Impact of Modernism on Contemporary Writing." *Journal of Modern Literature*, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 134-156.
Purdue OWL. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." *Purdue Online Writing Lab*, 2023, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html.
Ensure the entries are alphabetized by the author's last name or the title if no author is present.
Using MLA Citation Tools
While learning to craft MLA citations by hand is valuable, using tools can save time and help avoid errors. Tools like citation generators can automate much of this process. However, always double-check their output for accuracy. They don't always get it right.
Interestingly enough, Spell can help with this as well. Our editor allows you to manage citations efficiently and even spot errors before they become a problem, making the writing process smoother from start to finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned writers can slip up with citations. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Forgetting to include all necessary information, like the publisher or publication date.
- Incorrectly formatting the title of the work (remember, book and journal titles are italicized).
- Not alphabetizing the Works Cited page.
- Using inconsistent citation styles within the same document. Stick to MLA throughout.
By keeping these potential errors in mind, you can help ensure your citations are as polished as your prose.
Final Thoughts
Mastering MLA citations is all about understanding the format and practicing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it becomes second nature. Whether you're citing books, articles, or web pages, the key is consistency and attention to detail. If you're looking for a way to make this process even easier, consider using Spell. Our platform streamlines the writing and citation process, helping you craft polished documents in no time.
