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M L A C i t a t i o n S t y l e
The Modern Language Association (MLA) establishes values for acknowledging sources used in a
research paper. MLA citation style uses a simple two-part parenthetical documentation system for citing
sources: Citations in the text of a paper point to the alphabetical Works Cited list that appears at the end
of the paper. Together, these references identify and credit the sources used in the paper and allow others
to access and retrieve this material.
Note: A parenthetical reference to a familiar historical document -- i.e., the United States Constitution --
no longer requires a corresponding entry in the Works Cited list.
Citing sources in the text
In MLA style, writers place references to sources in the paper to briefly identify them and enable readers
to find them in the Works Cited list. These parenthetical references should be kept as brief and as clear as
possible.
Give only the information needed to identify a source. Usually the author's last name and a page
reference suffice.
Place the parenthetical reference as close as possible its source. Insert the parenthetical reference
where a pause would naturally occur, preferably at the end of a sentence.
Information in the parenthesis should complement, not repeat, information given in the text. If
you include an author's name in a sentence, you do not need to repeat it in your parenthetical
statement.
The parenthetical reference should precede the punctuation mark that concludes the sentence,
clause, or phrase that contains the cited material.
Electronic and online sources are cited just like print resources in parenthetical references. If an
online source lacks page numbers, omit numbers from the parenthetical references. If an online
source includes fixed page numbers or section numbering, such as numbering of paragraphs, cite
the relevant numbers.
Examples:
Author's name in text Dover^ has^ expressed^ this^ concern^ (118-21).
Author's name in reference This^ concern^ has^ been^ expressed^ (Dover^118 - 21).
Multiple authors of a work This this^ hypothesistheory (Sumner,^ (Bradley Reichl,^ and^ Rogersand Waugh^ 7)^ suggested23).
Two locations Williams^ alludes^ to^ this^ premise^ (136-39,^ 145).
Two works cited (Burns^ 54;^ Thomas^ 327)
Multivolume works
References to volumes and pages (Wilson^ 2:1-18)
References to an entire volume (Henderson,^ vol.^ 3)
In text reference to an entire
volume
In volume 3, Henderson suggests
Corporate authors (United 51 - 63)^ Nations,^ Economic^ Commission^ for^ Africa
Works with no author
When a work has no author, use the work's title or a shortened version of the title when citing it in text.
(If abbreviating a title, omit initial articles and begin with the word by which it is
alphabetized in the Works Cited list.):
as ( (^) Report stated by 4). the presidential commission
Online source without numbered
pages
Online source with numbered
paragraphs
on climate change (Howe)
(Fox, pars. 4 - 5)
For more detailed information about citing references in the text, please refer to the MLA resources
listed below.
Works Cited list
References cited in the text of a research paper must appear at the end of the paper in a Works Cited list
or bibliography. This list provides the information necessary to identify and retrieve each source that
specifically supports your research.
Arrange entries in alphabetical order by authors' last names (surnames), or by title for sources
without authors.
Capitalize the first word and all other principal words of the titles and subtitles of cited works
listed. (Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or the "to" in
infinitives.)
Another work, same author:
---. Speak, Memory: An Autobiography Revisited. New York: Knopf,
- Print.
Two authors:
Cross, Susan, and Christine Hoffman. Bruce Nauman: Theaters of Experience. New York: Guggenheim Museum; London: Thames & Hudson,
- Print.
Three authors:
Lowi, Theodore, Benjamin Ginsberg, and Steve Jackson. Analyzing American Government: American Government, Freedom and Power. 3rd ed. New York: Norton, 1994. Print.
More than three authors:
Gilman, Sandor, et al. Hysteria beyond Freud. Berkeley: U of California P, 1993. Print.
Corporate author:
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. A Guide to the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. Ithaca: Cornell U, 1973. Print.
Multivolume work:
Morison, Samuel Eliot, Henry Steele Commager, and William E. Leuchtenburg. The Growth of the American Republic. 2 vols. New York: Oxford UP, 1980. Print.
Essay or Chapter in Edited Books or Anthologies: References to an essay or chapter in an edited book
or compilation must include the following elements:
essay or chapter author(s)
essay or chapter title
book title
book editor(s) or compilers
place of publication
the shortened name of the publisher
date of publication
inclusive page numbers of the cited piece
medium of publication
Article in a book:
Ahmedi, Fauzia Erfan. "Welcoming Courtyards: Hospitality, Spirituality, and Gender." Feminism and Hospitality: Gender in the Host/Guest Relationship. Ed. Maurice Hamington. Lanham: Lexington, 2010. 109-24. Print.
Reprinted article:
Hunt, Tim. "The Misreading of Kerouac." Review of Contemporary Fiction 3.2 (1983): 29-33. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Carl Riley. Vol. 61. Detroit: Gale, 1990. 308-
- Print.
Articles or entries from reference books:
If the article or entry is signed, place the author's name first; if it is unsigned, give the title first. For well-
known reference works, it is not necessary to include full publication information. Include only the title of
the reference source, edition, and date of publication.
Dictionary entry:
"Hospitality." Def. 1a. Webster’s Third New World Dictionary.
- Print.
Encyclopedia entry:
Mercuri, Becky. "Cookies." The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. Ed. Andrew F. Smith. Vol. 1. New York : Oxford, 2004. Print.
Newspaper article, no author:
"Africa Day Celebrated in Havana." Granma International 31 May 2009, English ed.: 16. Print.
Newspaper article, one author, discontinuous pages:
Bajaj, Vikas. "The Double-Edged Rupee." New York Times 27 Oct. 2010: B1+. Print.
Government Documents:
References to government documents vary in their required elements. In general, if you do not know the
writer of the document, cite the government agency that issued the document as author.
State document:
New York State. Commission on Capital Punishment. Report of the Commission to Investigate and Report the Most Humane and Practical Method of Carrying Into Effect the Sentence of Death in Capital Cases. Albany: Troy, 1888. Print.
Federal document:
United States. Cong. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs. The Future of the Independent Counsel Act. Hearings 106th Cong., 1st sess. Washington: GPO, 1999. Print.
International document:
United Nations. General Assembly. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. New York: United Nations, 1979. Print.
Audio Visual
Film or video recording:
Annie Hall. Dir. Woody Allen. 1977. Videocassette. MGM/UA Home Video,
Sound recording:
Counting Crows. August and Everything After. DGC, 1993. CD.
Sound recording, specific song:
Counting Crows. "Mr. Jones." August and Everything After. DGC, 1993. CD.
CD-ROM
Citations should include the medium of the electronic publication (CD-ROM), the name of the vendor
that made the material available on CD-ROM, and publications dates for the version used, if relevant.
"Marriage." Encyclopedia Judaica. CD-ROM. Vers. 1.0. Jerusalem: Judaica Multimedia, 1997.
Citing Materials from Online Sources
Online Sources:
Citations for online sources, like those for print sources, should provide information that both identifies a
source and allows that source to be located and retrieved again. All citations should include the medium
of publication (Web) and the date the content was accessed. If the source is difficult to locate or your
instructor requires a URL, list the complete address within angle brackets after the date. In many cases, it
is also necessary to identify the Web site or database that has made the material available online.
Because there are currently few standards that govern the organization and presentation of online
publications, the information that is available to fulfill these objectives can vary widely from resource to
resource. In general, references to online works require more information than references to print sources.
See sections 5.6.1-4 in the MLA Handbook for more complete information on creating citations for
online sources.
Web page:
Frost, Robert. North of Boston. 2nd ed. New York: Henry Holt and Co.,
- Google Books. Web. 30 June 2009.
For more detailed information about Works Cited references, please refer to the MLA resources
listed below.
The examples of MLA style and format listed on this page include many of the most common types of
sources used in academic research. For additional examples and more detailed information about MLA
citation style, refer to the following resources:
MLA Hanbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7 th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of
America, 2009. Print.
This book is designed for high school and undergraduate students. You can find it at the following
locations:
Olin Library Reference LB2369 .G53 2009
ILR Library Reference LB2369 .G53 2009
MLA STYLE Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. 3rd ed. New York: Modern Language
Association of America, 2008. Print.
This book is designed for graduate students and professional writers. You can find this publication at the
following locations:
Olin Library Reference PN147 .G444 2008
Uris Library Reference PN147 .G444 2008
Law Library Reserve PN147 .G444x 2008
Music Library Reference PN147 .G444 2008
"Frequently Asked Questions about the MLA Style Manual ." Modern Language Association.
Modern Language Association, 2008. Web. 30 June 2009.
