How to Cite a Website in Standard American English
In academic writing, it is essential to give credit to the sources you use to support your claims and ideas. Citing sources properly ensures that you are not committing plagiarism and that your readers can easily find and access the information you have relied upon. When citing a website, there are specific formatting rules that you must follow depending on the style guide you are using. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite a website in Standard American English using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style.
Basic Format
The basic format for citing a website in MLA style is as follows:
- Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." Title of Website, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL.
Example
- Smith, John. "The History of the Internet." World Wide Web, Google, 10 March 2023, https://www.google.com/search?q=history+of+the+internet.
Specific Elements
Let’s break down the specific elements of the citation format:
Author’s Name:
- If the author’s name is available, list it in the following order: last name, first name.
- If the author’s name is not available, use the title of the website or organization as the author.
Title of Web Page:
- Use quotation marks around the title of the specific web page you are citing.
- If the web page does not have a title, use a brief description of the content.
Title of Website:
- Italicize the title of the website.
- If the website is a personal blog or website, use quotation marks around the title.
Publisher:
- If the website is published by an organization or institution, list the name of that organization as the publisher.
- If the website is self-published, use "self-published" as the publisher.
Date of Publication:
- If the web page has a publication date, list it in the following order: day, month, year.
- If the web page does not have a publication date, use the date you accessed the page in brackets.
URL:
- Include the full URL of the web page.
- If the URL is long, you can shorten it using a URL shortener such as bit.ly or goo.gl.
In-Text Citations
When citing a website in the text of your paper, use the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
- (Smith 2023)
Additional Notes
- If the website has multiple authors, list the first author’s name followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others").
- If the website is a PDF or other downloadable document, include the file format after the URL.
- If the website is a specific section or page within a larger website, include the section or page title after the website title.
Examples
Website with Author
- Johnson, Emily. "The Benefits of Exercise." Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 June 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/benefits-of-exercise.
Website without Author
- "The History of the Internet." World Wide Web, Google, 10 March 2023, https://www.google.com/search?q=history+of+the+internet.
PDF Document
- Choi, Sarah. "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health." The Journal of Social Media Research, vol. 5, no. 2, 2023, pp. 1-15, https://jsmr.org/index.php/jsmr/article/view/25/pdf.
Section of a Website
- "Nutrition." MyPlate, U.S. Department of Agriculture, https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/nutrition-and-health.
FAQ
Q: What if the website does not have a publication date?
A: Use the date you accessed the page in brackets.
Q: What if the website is a personal blog or website?
A: Use quotation marks around the title and include "[Blog Post]" or "[Personal Website]" after the title.
Q: What if the website has multiple authors?
A: List the first author’s name followed by "et al."
Q: What if the website is a PDF or other downloadable document?
A: Include the file format after the URL.
Q: What if the website is a section or page within a larger website?
A: Include the section or page title after the website title.
Conclusion
Citing websites correctly using MLA style is essential for academic writing. By following the formatting rules outlined in this article, you can ensure that your sources are properly attributed and that your readers can easily access the information you have used. Remember to check with your instructor or refer to the official MLA Style Manual for any specific requirements or updates.
