When it comes to writing a research paper, one of the most crucial elements is the Works Cited page. The Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources you've used in your research, and it's essential to format it correctly to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. In this article, we'll explore 8 MLA Works Cited page examples to help you create a perfect Works Cited page.
Understanding MLA Format
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities, such as literature, language, and cultural studies. The MLA format has specific guidelines for formatting the Works Cited page, which includes the author’s last name, first name, title of the source, publication date, and page numbers. The Works Cited page should be double-spaced, with a legible font and one-inch margins on all sides.
MLA Works Cited Page Examples
Here are 8 examples of MLA Works Cited page entries for different types of sources:
| Source Type | Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| Book | Smith, John. The History of Literature. New York: Penguin, 2010. Print. |
| Journal Article | Jones, Mary. "The Impact of Technology on Education." Journal of Educational Research, vol. 10, no. 2, 2015, pp. 12-20. JSTOR, doi: 10.2307/23456789. |
| Newspaper Article | Johnson, David. "The Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Cities." The New York Times, 10 Feb. 2020, pp. A1-A3. |
| Website | Williams, Sarah. "The Benefits of Meditation." Mindful.org, 20 Jan. 2020, www.mindful.org/the-benefits-of-meditation/. |
| E-book | Brown, Emily. The Power of Positive Thinking. Kindle ed., Amazon, 2018. |
| Interview | Smith, John. Personal interview. 10 Mar. 2020. |
| Movie | The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Columbia Pictures, 1994. |
| Television Show | "The Office." NBC, 5 Mar. 2009. |
Additional Tips for Formatting Your Works Cited Page
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when formatting your Works Cited page:
- Use a clear and legible font, such as 12-point Times New Roman.
- Double-space the entire Works Cited page, including the entries.
- Use one-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
- Indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry by 0.5 inches.
- Use title case for titles, and capitalize the first word of each entry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When creating your Works Cited page, make sure to avoid the following common mistakes:
- Forgetting to include the publication date or page numbers.
- Using the wrong font or font size.
- Not double-spacing the entries.
- Not indenting the second and subsequent lines of each entry.
- Not using title case for titles.
What is the purpose of the Works Cited page?
+The Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources used in a research paper, and its purpose is to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.
How do I format the Works Cited page in MLA style?
+To format the Works Cited page in MLA style, use a clear and legible font, double-space the entire page, and use one-inch margins on all sides. Alphabetize the entries by the author’s last name, and indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry by 0.5 inches.
What types of sources should I include on the Works Cited page?
+You should include all the sources you’ve used in your research, including books, journal articles, newspaper articles, websites, e-books, interviews, movies, and television shows.
