To cite a website in MLA format quickly, it's essential to understand the basic components required for a citation. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the humanities, and citing a website involves including the author's name, title of the webpage, title of the website, publication date, and URL.
Basic MLA Citation Structure for a Website
The general structure for citing a website in MLA 8th edition is as follows: Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Webpage.” Title of the Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Components of an MLA Website Citation
Here’s a breakdown of what each component means and how to find it:
- Author’s Lastname, Firstname: If the author is provided, list their last name first, followed by a comma and then their first name. If no author is given, start with the title of the webpage.
- “Title of the Webpage”: Enclose the title of the webpage in quotation marks.
- Title of the Website: Italicize the title of the website.
- Day Month Year of Publication: Provide the date of publication if available. If not, use “n.d.” for no date.
- URL: Include the full URL of the webpage.
- Accessed Day Month Year: Include the date you accessed the webpage.
For example, a citation for a webpage might look like this:
Smith, John. "How to Write in MLA Format." Writing Guide, 10 Jan. 2022, https://www.writingguide.com/mla-format. Accessed 20 Feb. 2023.
Citing Websites with No Author or Publication Date
Sometimes, a website may not provide an author or a publication date. In such cases, the citation is adjusted accordingly.
If there’s no author, start the citation with the title of the webpage:
“Title of the Webpage.” Title of the Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
If there’s no publication date, use “n.d.” in the place of the date:
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Webpage.” Title of the Website, n.d., URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Author | Smith, John |
| Title of Webpage | "How to Write in MLA Format" |
| Title of Website | Writing Guide |
| Publication Date | 10 Jan. 2022 |
| URL | https://www.writingguide.com/mla-format |
| Access Date | 20 Feb. 2023 |
Special Considerations
Citing websites in MLA format requires attention to detail, especially when dealing with websites that lack certain information. Always consult the MLA Handbook or the MLA website for the most current guidelines.
What if a website does not have a publication date?
+If a website does not have a publication date, use “n.d.” in the citation where the date would normally be placed.
How do I cite a website with no author in MLA format?
+When citing a website with no author, start the citation with the title of the webpage, in quotation marks, followed by the title of the website, publication date (if available), URL, and access date.
What is the importance of including the access date in an MLA citation for a website?
+The access date is crucial because web content can change, and including this date helps the reader understand when you accessed the information, which might be different from when they access it.
