How to Cite in MLA Style: A Complete Guide

Understanding the Basic Elements of MLA Citations

When citing sources in MLA style, there are some basic elements that you need to include for each source. These elements help your readers to identify and locate the sources you have used in your work. The basic elements of an MLA citation include the author’s name, the title of the source, the publication information, and the format of the source.

For a book, the basic elements would be the author’s name, the title of the book, the publisher, the year of publication, and the format (print or digital). For a journal article, you would need the author’s name, the title of the article, the name of the journal, the volume and issue numbers, the publication date, and the page numbers.

It’s important to note that the order in which these elements are presented in the citation may vary depending on the type of source and the version of MLA style you are using. Be sure to consult a current MLA style guide or an online resource to ensure that you are formatting your citations correctly.

How to Cite Different Types of Sources in MLA Style

In MLA style, the way you cite a source depends on the type of source you are using. Here are some guidelines for citing common types of sources in MLA style:

1. Books: When citing a book in MLA style, include the author’s name, the title of the book, the publisher, the year of publication, and the format (print or digital).

2. Journal Articles: When citing a journal article in MLA style, include the author’s name, the title of the article, the name of the journal, the volume and issue numbers, the publication date, and the page numbers.

3. Websites: When citing a website in MLA style, include the author’s name (if available), the title of the page or article, the name of the website, the publication date (if available), and the URL.

4. Newspapers: When citing a newspaper article in MLA style, include the author’s name, the title of the article, the name of the newspaper, the publication date, and the page numbers.

5. Films: When citing a film in MLA style, include the director’s name, the title of the film, the names of the main actors, the studio or distributor, the year of release, and the format (DVD, Blu-ray, etc.).

Remember to check a current MLA style guide or an online resource to ensure that you are formatting your citations correctly.

Formatting Your MLA Citations and Works Cited Page

In MLA style, it’s important to format your citations and Works Cited page correctly to ensure that your sources are easily identifiable and that you maintain academic integrity. Here are some guidelines for formatting your MLA citations and Works Cited page:

1. In-Text Citations: In MLA style, in-text citations are typically placed at the end of a sentence, before the period, and include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found. For example: (Smith 32).

2. Works Cited Page: Your Works Cited page should be a separate page at the end of your paper, with the title “Works Cited” centered at the top. Citations should be listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

3. Citation Format: MLA citations should be formatted with a hanging indent (the first line is flush with the left margin and subsequent lines are indented), double-spaced, and in 12-point font.

4. Capitalization and Punctuation: The first letter of each major word in a title should be capitalized, as well as any proper nouns. Titles of longer works, such as books or films, should be italicized. Titles of shorter works, such as articles or chapters, should be in quotation marks.

5. Abbreviations: Use standard abbreviations for months and other common words, such as “vol.” for volume and “ed.” for editor.

Remember to consult a current MLA style guide or an online resource for specific formatting guidelines and examples.

Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism and Maintaining Academic Integrity with MLA Citations

Using MLA citations is not only important for giving credit to the sources you have used in your work, but also for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. Here are some tips for avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity with MLA citations:

1. Keep Track of Your Sources: When conducting research, keep a detailed record of the sources you use, including the author’s name, title of the work, publication information, and page numbers. This will help you to create accurate citations later on.

2. Use Your Own Words: When paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source, be sure to use your own words and sentence structure. If you use the author’s exact words, be sure to put them in quotation marks and include a citation.

3. Be Consistent: Use the same citation style throughout your paper to maintain consistency and avoid confusion for your readers.

4. Check Your Work: Before submitting your paper, double-check your citations and Works Cited page to ensure that they are formatted correctly and include all the necessary information.

5. Use Plagiarism Checkers: Use online plagiarism checkers to check your work for unintentional plagiarism and to ensure that you have properly cited all your sources.

Remember, using MLA citations is not only a requirement for academic writing, but also a way to give credit to the ideas and work of others, while maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

What is MLA Style and Why is it Important?

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a citation and formatting style used in the humanities, such as English, literature, and the arts. The purpose of MLA style is to provide a uniform and consistent way of citing sources and formatting papers, allowing readers to easily identify and locate the sources used in a work.

MLA style is important for several reasons:

1. It Helps to Give Credit: MLA style helps to give credit to the authors and sources used in a work. This is important for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

2. It Provides Consistency: MLA style provides a consistent way of formatting papers and citing sources, making it easier for readers to understand and follow the author’s argument.

3. It is Widely Used: MLA style is widely used in the humanities, and is often a requirement for academic papers in these fields.

4. It is Updated Regularly: MLA style is updated regularly to reflect changes in technology, publishing, and research practices.

5. It Helps to Create a Standard: MLA style helps to create a standard for citation and formatting, allowing researchers and scholars to communicate their ideas and research effectively.

Overall, understanding and using MLA style is an important part of academic writing in the humanities, and can help to ensure that your work is clear, professional, and respected in your field.