how to site something in MLA format
To cite something in MLA format, follow these guidelines:
1. In-text citation: When referring to a specific source within the body of your paper, include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: (Smith 27).
2. Works Cited page: Include a separate page at the end of your paper titled "Works Cited" that lists all the sources you cited in your essay. This page should be double-spaced, with a hanging indent for each entry.
3. Basic entry format: For books, articles, websites, etc., the basic format includes the author's name, title of the source, title of the container (if applicable), other contributors (if applicable), version or edition (if applicable), publisher, publication date, and location (such as a URL or page numbers).
4. Common examples:
- Book: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.
- Article: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume Number, Issue Number, Year, page range.
- Website: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, URL (without https://), publication date (or n.d. if not available).
5. Online tools: You can also use online citation generators like EasyBib or Citation Machine to automate the citation process. However, make sure to double-check the generated citation for accuracy and formatting.
Remember to consult the official MLA Handbook or Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for more detailed and specific guidelines for citing different types of sources.
To cite something in MLA format, follow these steps:
1. Gather information about the source: Start by collecting all the necessary information about the source you want to cite. This typically includes the author's name, the title of the work, the publication date, and relevant page numbers.
2. Determine the type of source: MLA format requires different citation formats depending on the type of source, such as a book, article, website, or video. Make sure to correctly identify the source type so that you can properly format the citation.
3. Find the MLA citation format: Consult a reliable MLA style guidebook or reputable online source to find the specific citation format for the type of source you are citing. The MLA Handbook, available in many libraries and bookstores, offers comprehensive guidelines for citation.
4. Format your citation: Use the information you gathered in step 1 and the citation format from step 3 to construct your citation. Generally, MLA citations include the author's last name, the title of the source, the publication information, and any relevant page numbers, all formatted according to the specific rules for that source type.
5. Parenthetical citations: For in-text citations, use parenthetical citations immediately after a quote, paraphrase, or summary. Include the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found in the original source.
6. Create a works cited page: At the end of your paper, include a separate page titled "Works Cited," which lists all the sources you cited. Begin the page with the title "Works Cited" centered at the top. List the sources alphabetically according to the author's last name or the title if there is no author.
7. Proper formatting: Format the works cited page according to MLA guidelines. For example, a book citation should include the author's name, book title in italics or underlined, the publisher, and the publication year. An online article citation should include the author's name, the article title in quotation marks, the website name in italics, the publication date, and the URL.
Remember to double-check your citations and formatting for accuracy and consistency. MLA format has specific rules for punctuation, abbreviations, and italics, so pay attention to these details.
If you are unsure about any of the steps, refer to an MLA style guidebook or credible online sources for assistance. There are also online citation generators that can help you create citations in MLA format by inputting the required information.
To cite something in MLA format, follow these steps:
1. Gather the necessary information:
- Author's name
- Title of the source (book, article, website, etc.)
- Publication date
- Publisher or website name
- Page numbers (if applicable)
2. In-text citation:
- Place the author's last name and the page number (if available) in parentheses at the end of the sentence or directly after the quotation.
- If you mention the author's name in the sentence, you only need to include the page number in parentheses.
- For example: "This is a direct quote" (Author's Last Name page number).
3. Works Cited page:
- Start a new page titled "Works Cited" at the end of your paper.
- Entries should be arranged alphabetically by the author's last name or by the title if there is no author.
- Format the entries with a hanging indent (the first line is flush left, and the subsequent ones are indented).
4. Format for different sources:
- For a book:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.
- For an article in a magazine or scholarly journal:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal/Magazine, vol. number, no. number, year, page numbers.
- For a website:
Last Name, First Name (or organization). "Page Title." Website Name, URL (omit "http://" or "https://").
- For an online article:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Website Name, publication date (if available), URL.
- For a film or TV show:
Title of Film or TV Show. Directed by Director's Name, performances by Actors' Names, Production Company, Year.
Note that this is a general guide. If you are unsure about a specific source or need to cite something more complex, refer to the MLA Handbook or consult an official MLA style guide.