MLA Citation Guide

MLA Format Overview

MLA style uses an author-page citation system with two components:

• In-text citations: Brief parenthetical references with the author's last name and page number
• Works Cited: A comprehensive list of all sources cited, at the end of the paper

General Paper Formatting

• Double-space the entire paper, including Works Cited
• Use a legible 12-point font (Times New Roman is traditional)
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides
• Include a header with your last name and page number in the upper-right corner
• No separate title page (unless your instructor requires one) -- instead, include your name, instructor's name, course, and date on the first page, left-aligned
• Center your title below the header information; do not bold, italicize, or underline it
• Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches

In-Text Citations

MLA in-text citations include the author's last name and the page number (no comma between them, no "p." abbreviation).

Basic Format

• Parenthetical: (Smith 45)
• Narrative: Smith argues that "..." (45)
• Two authors: (Smith and Jones 45)
• Three or more authors: (Smith et al. 45)

Special Cases

• No author: Use a shortened version of the title: ("Rising Costs" 12)
• No page numbers: Use the author's name alone: (Smith). For web sources without page numbers, include paragraph or section numbers if available: (Smith, par. 3)
• Multiple works by the same author: Include a shortened title: (Smith, "First Article" 12)
• Indirect source: Use "qtd. in": (qtd. in Jones 78)

Long Quotations

Quotes longer than 4 lines should be formatted as block quotes: start on a new line, indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin, double-space, and do not use quotation marks. Place the parenthetical citation after the period.

Works Cited Entries

The MLA 9th edition uses a universal template based on "containers." The core elements, in order, are:

1. Author.
2. "Title of Source."
3. Title of Container,
4. Other contributors,
5. Version,
6. Number,
7. Publisher,
8. Publication date,
9. Location (pages, URL, DOI).

Examples

Book:

Journal Article:

Website:

Film or Video:

Formatting the Works Cited Page

Follow these formatting rules for your Works Cited page:

• Start on a new page at the end of your paper
• Center the title "Works Cited" at the top (no bold, no underline, no quotation marks)
• Alphabetize entries by the first author's last name (or title if no author)
• Use hanging indentation (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches)
• Double-space all entries with no extra space between them
• Italicize titles of books, journals, and other standalone works
• Use quotation marks around titles of articles, chapters, and other shorter works
• Use "UP" as an abbreviation for "University Press" (e.g., Oxford UP, Harvard UP)

Container Concept

In MLA 9th edition, a "container" is the larger work that holds the source. An article (the source) is contained in a journal (the container). A chapter is contained in a book. A song is contained in an album. If a source has multiple containers (e.g., a journal article accessed through a database), list each container with its elements.

MLA vs. APA: Key Differences

Understanding the differences between MLA and APA helps you use the right style for your assignment:

When in doubt about which style to use, always follow your instructor's or publisher's requirements.