Create a Works Cited page
At the end of your essay, include a Works Cited page with a list of the sources you used.
This must be in MLA format
Works Cited
Books:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Smith, John. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
Articles:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. X, no. X, Year, page(s).
Doe, Jane. "The Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Studies Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2019, pp. 45-63.
Websites:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." Title of Website, Day Month Year, URL.
Johnson, David. "How to Write a Works Cited Page." Writing Tips, 14 May 2020, www.writingtips.com/how-to-write-works-cited-page.
Note: The example above is a simplified version of a Works Cited page. In an actual essay, you would include more detailed information such as the author's full name, date of publication, and specific page numbers for articles. Additionally, entries should be alphabetized by the authors' last names. Make sure to consult the MLA Handbook or an online MLA citation guide for complete and accurate formatting guidelines.
Creating a Works Cited page in MLA format involves following specific guidelines. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create one:
Step 1: Start a new page
After finishing your essay, insert a new page at the end. This will be your Works Cited page.
Step 2: Title the page
At the top of the page, center align the text and write "Works Cited" as the title. Make sure to use standard capitalization rules for the title.
Step 3: Format your citations
List your sources in alphabetical order by the author's last name or, if no author is given, by the title. For each source, format your citation according to the specific type of source (book, article, website, etc.).
Step 4: Arrange the citation information
For each citation, include the following information in the given order:
- Author(s) name(s)
- Title of the source
- Title of the container (if applicable)
- Other contributors (if applicable)
- Version (if applicable)
- Number (if applicable)
- Publisher (if applicable)
- Publication date
- Location (if applicable)
- URL (for online sources)
Step 5: Use appropriate punctuation
After each piece of information in your citation, use appropriate punctuation marks (e.g., period, comma, colon) to separate the elements. Refer to the MLA handbook or the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website for specific guidelines.
Step 6: Apply the hanging indent
Indent the second and subsequent lines of each citation one-half inch from the left margin. This is called a hanging indent.
Step 7: Double-space your citations
Make sure to double-space your entire Works Cited page. This includes the space between each entry and the space between the citations themselves.
Step 8: Review for accuracy and completeness
Take some time to review your Works Cited page to ensure that all the necessary information is included accurately and properly formatted. Check for any missing details or errors in punctuation.
Remember to consult the official MLA Handbook or use online resources such as the Purdue OWL for specific guidelines on formatting different types of sources.
To create a Works Cited page in MLA format, follow these steps:
1. Start a new page: Place your cursor at the end of your essay, after the last sentence, and press “Enter” or "Page Break" to start a new page specifically for your Works Cited page.
2. Heading: On the top left side of the page, write the title "Works Cited" in sentence case (capitalizing the first letter of each word), without using bold, italics, or underlining.
3. List your sources: Begin listing your sources in alphabetical order by the author's last name or the title if the author is not known. If a source has no author, use the title as the starting point.
4. Basic Format: For each source, follow a basic format that includes the author or editor's name, the title of the source in quotation marks (e.g., an article or essay), or italics (e.g., a book, website, or film), the title of the container (e.g., the title of the journal or book where an article or chapter is found), the names of other contributors, the version, the number, the publisher, the publication date, the location (such as page numbers or URL), and the date of access (for online sources).
5. Indentation: Indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry by 0.5 inches (or five spaces) to create a hanging indent. This differentiates each entry and makes it easier to read.
6. Alphabetical order: Ensure that your sources are listed alphabetically by the author's last name or the title if there is no author.
7. MLA Format Variations: Remember to format each type of source correctly. For example, citing a book requires the author's full name, the book title in italics, the book edition, the publication information, and the medium. On the other hand, an online article citation requires the author's full name, the article title in quotation marks, the title of the website or journal in italics, the publication date, the medium, and the URL or DOI if applicable. Make sure to consult an MLA style guide or reputable online resources for specific citation formats for different types of sources.
8. Double-check: Before finalizing your Works Cited page, double-check each entry for accuracy, proper punctuation, and consistent formatting.
Remember that there are different rules for citing different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.). So, it is always a good idea to consult an official MLA citation guide or a reliable online resource to ensure your Works Cited page is properly formatted.