The Purdue Online Writing Lab, commonly referred to as the Purdue OWL, is a renowned resource for students, scholars, and writers seeking guidance on writing and citation styles. Among its comprehensive offerings, the Purdue OWL provides detailed instructions on MLA (Modern Language Association) citations, making the process easier for those who need to adhere to this style in their academic and professional writing. In this article, we will delve into the world of MLA citations, exploring the basics, the types of sources, and the intricacies of citing various materials, all with the aim of making MLA citations straightforward and accessible.
Understanding MLA Citation Style
The MLA citation style is widely used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies. It is designed to provide clear and concise citations that allow readers to locate the sources used in a research paper or essay. The MLA style involves two main components: in-text citations and the Works Cited page. In-text citations are brief references to the source material that appear in the body of the text, while the Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in the paper, formatted according to MLA guidelines.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations in MLA style typically include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the cited information can be found, enclosed in parentheses. For example, (Smith 24) would cite a source by Smith on page 24. If the source does not have an author, the title of the source is used in place of the author’s name. In cases where the source does not have page numbers, such as online sources, the citation might only include the author’s name or, if no author is given, the title of the source.
The Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is where all the sources used in the research are fully cited. The format for citing sources on the Works Cited page varies depending on the type of source. For a book, the citation would include the author’s name, the title of the book in title case, the publisher, and the year of publication. For example: Smith, John. The History of Literature. Penguin Books, 2020.
| Type of Source | MLA Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Book | Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication. |
| Journal Article | Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers. |
| Website | Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year. |
Citing Different Types of Sources
Citing sources in MLA style can be nuanced, depending on the type of source. For books, it’s essential to include the author’s name, title of the book, publisher, and year of publication. For journal articles, the citation must include the author’s name, title of the article, title of the journal, volume and issue numbers, year of publication, and page numbers. Websites require the author’s name, title of the webpage, title of the website, date of publication, URL, and the date of access.
Citing Books
When citing books, the format can vary slightly depending on whether the book has one author, multiple authors, or no author. For a book with one author, the citation would be formatted as follows: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication. For books with multiple authors, the authors’ names are listed separated by commas, with “and” before the last author’s name.
Citing Journal Articles
Citing journal articles involves including the author’s name, title of the article in title case, title of the journal in title case and italicized, volume and issue numbers, year of publication, and page numbers. The format is: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers.
Citing Websites
Websites are cited by including the author’s name, title of the webpage in title case, title of the website in title case and italicized, date of publication, URL, and the date of access. If any of these elements are missing, they are omitted from the citation. The format is: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
What is the purpose of the Works Cited page in MLA style?
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The Works Cited page provides a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in the paper, allowing readers to locate the sources used in the research.
How do I cite a source with no author in MLA style?
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If a source has no author, the title of the source is used in place of the author’s name in both the in-text citation and the Works Cited entry.
What resources are available to help with MLA citations?
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The Purdue OWL is a primary resource for MLA citation guidance, offering detailed instructions and examples for citing various types of sources.
