MLA

            When you use research, it must be cited so the reader can verify your information or follow-up to learn more. The format you use to cite is called a citation style. This handout covers MLA style, but different disciplines use different styles such as APA, Chicago, AP, or others.

• Each kind of source has a specific format (requiring different information).
• Consult a style guide or web page for the full list of kinds of sources.
• If you don’t have all the required info, re-evaluate the source (it may not be reputable).

Warning! An in-text citation must have a corresponding entry in a Works Cited page and vice-versa.

 Works Cited

• Titled: Works Cited (centered). Goes at the end of essay, listing all the sources you used.
• All sources must be listed alphabetically by the first letter of the citation.
• Never use numbers or bullet points.
• Works Cited page is always double spaced, don’t skip lines.
• Use hanging indents for sources longer than one line (Google Search: Hanging Indents).
• Every comma, colon, and period (, : .) count. Put them in.
• You have to play detective to find all the required information
• Look at title pages of books, the bottom of web pages, library databases, etc.

Example formats

Legend: Author Article Title Publisher Place Date Written Pages Medium Access

 Book

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2013. Print.

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2013. Print.

 Newspaper

Williams, Alex. “Quality Time, Redefined.” The New York Times. New York Times. 1 May 2011. ST1+. Web. 25 July 2015.

Williams, Alex. “Quality Time, Redefined.” The New York Times. New York Times. 1 May 2011. ST1+. Web. 25 July 2015.

In-Text Citations

• Always use after a quote or paraphrase from a source (right after or before the end of the sentence).
• Put them in parentheses as part of your sentence (period goes after).
• Do not put a comma (,) between the author (or title) and the page number (Bradbury 42).
• Use only the author for an electronic or internet source (Williams).

Examples

• “[The mean streets] [are] not a very fragrant world, but it is the world [people] live in” (Chandler).
• Concepts of law and order are highly-touted by people in the world, but seldom practiced (Chandler).

Tips

• Use a citation generator such as Son of Citation Machine, Noodle Tools, bibme, or MS Word.
• ALWAYS verify the format of generators. They can make mistakes!
• Use the generator’s export function. Copy and pasting can mess up the format.

Resources

“MLA Formatting and Style Guide”. Purdue OWL. Purdue University. Web. 25 July 2015.

“MLA Citation Guide”. Bibme.org. Bibme.org. Web. 25 July 2015.

Example works cited format