Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Citation Basics

As a student, you will be required to cite the sources used to write your paper in your paper following a certain style. MLA, or the Modern Language Association Style, is one of the more common styles. When using this style, you will cite the sources using parenthetical citations in your paper and then give the complete source at the end of the paper in your Works Cited.

Citing sources in your paper:

In your paper, cite your sources using the author’s last name and page number or just the page number. For example,

MonsterPapers is one of the Internet’s leading sources for writing term papers, research papers, book reports, and essays (Thomas 42).

or,

Jessica Thomas, in her book MLA Style Paper Writing, mentioned that MonsterPapers is one of the leading resources for information on writing papers (42).

This source would then be listed in your Works Cited list at the end of your paper:

Thomas, Jessica B. MLA Style Paper Writing. Henderson: MonsterPapers, 2006.

The Works Cited list should be at the end of your paper and is arranged by the author’s last name. Use the following formatting guidelines when writing your paper:

Books:

Author. Title of Book. Publication City: Publisher, Year.

Essay, Poem, or Short Story in an Anthology:

Author of Story, Essay, or Poem. "Title of Story, Essay or Poem." Title of Book. Name of Editor. Edition. Publication City: Publisher, Year. Page Number(s).

Encyclopedias and Reference Books:

Author of Article (if given). "Article Title." Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher: Year.

Magazine Articles:

Author. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine Date: Page(s).

Scholarly Journal Articles:

Author. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume Number. Issue Number (Year): Page(s).

Newspaper Articles:

Author. "Title of Article." Name of Newspaper Date, edition: Page(s).

Articles in Online Periodicals:

Author. "Title of Article." Title of Publication Date: Page(s) or Section(s), if numbered. Date of Access .

Videorecordings:

Title. Director, Producer, and/or Writer. Medium. Distributor, Year.

Television Programs:

"Title of Episode or Segment." Title of Program or Series. Credit (Performer, writer, etc). Name of Network. Call Letters, City of Local Station. Broadcast Date.

Interview:

If the researcher conducted the interview:
Person Interviewed. Type of Interview. Date.

Broadcast Interview:
Person Interviewed. Type of Interview. Title of Program or Series. Date.