When writing academic papers, it is essential to properly cite sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is a widely used citation style in the humanities, such as literature, language, and cultural studies. In this article, we will delve into the world of MLA format citations, exploring the rules, guidelines, and best practices for citing sources in MLA style.
Introduction to MLA Format Citations
The MLA format is a set of guidelines for formatting and citing sources in academic papers. The format is designed to be easy to read and understand, with a focus on clarity and simplicity. The MLA Handbook, published by the Modern Language Association, provides detailed guidelines for citing sources in MLA style. MLA format citations are used to acknowledge the work of other authors and to provide a way for readers to locate the sources used in a paper.
Basic Citation Rules
When citing sources in MLA style, it is essential to follow the basic citation rules. These rules include:
- Listing the author’s last name and first name (if available)
- Including the title of the source in title case
- Providing the publication date (if available)
- Listing the publication medium (e.g., print, web, film)
- Including the page numbers (if applicable)
| Type of Source | MLA Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Book | Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication. |
| Article | Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Publication, Day Month Year, pp. Page Numbers. |
| Website | Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year. |
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are used to acknowledge the work of other authors within the text of a paper. In MLA style, in-text citations are typically formatted as (Author’s Last Name Page Number). For example: (Smith 24). If the author’s name is not mentioned in the sentence, the citation would be (Smith 24). If the source has no author, the citation would be (“Title of Source” Page Number). In-text citations are an essential part of MLA format citations, as they allow readers to quickly locate the sources used in a paper.
Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is a list of all the sources cited in a paper. The page is typically formatted with a hanging indent, and the citations are listed in alphabetical order by author’s last name. The Works Cited page is an essential part of MLA format citations, as it provides a comprehensive list of all the sources used in a paper.
For example, a Works Cited page entry for a book would look like this:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication. Print.
A Works Cited page entry for an article would look like this:Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Publication, Day Month Year, pp. Page Numbers. Print.
A Works Cited page entry for a website would look like this:Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
What is the purpose of MLA format citations?
+The purpose of MLA format citations is to acknowledge the work of other authors and to provide a way for readers to locate the sources used in a paper.
How do I format an in-text citation in MLA style?
+In MLA style, in-text citations are typically formatted as (Author’s Last Name Page Number). For example: (Smith 24).
What is the difference between a Works Cited page and a bibliography?
+A Works Cited page is a list of all the sources cited in a paper, while a bibliography is a list of all the sources consulted during research. In MLA style, a Works Cited page is typically used instead of a bibliography.
