MLA Citation Style: A Comprehensive Guide
The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies. It provides a standardized format for referencing sources and acknowledging the intellectual contributions of others. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of MLA citation style, ensuring accurate and consistent documentation.
Parts of an MLA Citation
An MLA citation typically consists of three main parts:
- Author’s Name: The author’s full name as it appears in the source, including any middle initials or suffixes.
- Title of Work: The title of the work being cited, italicized for books or journals and placed in quotation marks for articles. For websites or online sources, the title may be the name of the webpage or document.
- Publication Information: Includes the location and date of publication. For books, this includes the city of publication and the publisher’s name; for articles, it includes the journal title and the volume, issue, and page numbers.
Basic MLA Citation Format
Here is the basic format for an MLA citation:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Work." Title of Container (if applicable), Publisher, Date of Publication, Page Numbers (if applicable).Specific Citation Formats
MLA citation style varies depending on the type of source being cited. Here are some common formats:
Books:
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Penguin Books, 2003.Articles in Journals:
Jones, David. "The Evolution of Language." Journal of Linguistics, vol. 57, no. 2, 2021, pp. 253-280.Articles in Newspapers:
Smith, Jane. "Local School District Implements New Curriculum." The Daily News, 15 March 2023, p. A3.Websites:
"MLA Style Guide." The Modern Language Association, https://www.mla.org/style. Accessed 25 March 2023.Special Characters and Punctuation
MLA citation style uses specific characters and punctuation marks:
- Periods (.) separate elements within a citation.
- Commas (,) separate author names from titles and publication information.
- Colons (:) introduce page numbers or specific details about a source.
- Single quotation marks (‘ ‘) enclose article titles.
- Double quotation marks (" ") enclose entire work titles and website titles.
In-Text Citations
In addition to the full citations in the Works Cited page, in-text citations are used to provide brief references to the sources throughout the paper. The author’s last name and the page number(s) of the cited material are placed in parentheses within the text.
Examples:
(Shakespeare 203)
(Jones 254-255)
("MLA Style Guide")Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page lists all the sources cited in the paper, arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. Each entry should be formatted according to the guidelines presented in this guide.
Additional Rules
- Titles of works with more than one word are italicized.
- Publisher names are abbreviated only if they are well-known, such as Oxford UP for Oxford University Press.
- Internet URLs are not included in the Works Cited page but may be provided as footnotes.
- If a source has no author, use the title of the work as the first element of the citation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When do I use italics vs. quotation marks in MLA citations?
A: Titles of books, journals, and other complete works are italicized. Titles of articles, chapters, and other parts of a larger work are enclosed in quotation marks.
Q: How do I cite a website that has no author?
A: Use the title of the website as the first element of the citation, followed by the publication information (if available).
Q: How do I cite a source that I accessed online but also exists in print?
A: Provide the print publication information first, followed by the online access details in parentheses.
Q: What if I am citing multiple works by the same author?
A: Use the author’s last name followed by a shortened version of the work’s title in the in-text citations. List the full citations alphabetically by title on the Works Cited page.
Q: Do I include the edition number in the citation?
A: Only include the edition number if it is significant or if there are multiple editions of the work.
Q: How do I cite a personal communication, such as an email or interview?
A: Personal communications are not included in the Works Cited page. Instead, provide the necessary details in the text or a footnote, such as "(personal email, March 25, 2023)."
Conclusion
MLA citation style provides a consistent and reliable method for acknowledging sources and ensuring academic integrity. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this guide, students and researchers can produce well-documented papers that demonstrate their critical engagement with scholarly materials. Remember to consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on MLA citation style.
