Crafting accurate citations is a crucial skill for students and researchers alike. Among the various citation styles, MLA (Modern Language Association) is a popular choice, particularly in the humanities. This article delves into the intricacies of MLA citations, providing a comprehensive guide to help you master this essential aspect of academic writing.
MLA is one of the most common citation styles used by students and academics. The MLA Handbook provides detailed guidelines on how to cite sources properly adhering to these guidelines ensures that you give credit where it's due and avoid plagiarism. An MLA citation has two key components:
The Works Cited list is the backbone of your MLA citations. Each entry follows a specific structure, comprising nine core elements:
You can find more specific directions for creating a book, journal article, website, or movie.
Sometimes, you may encounter sources with missing information. Here's how to handle common scenarios:
| What’s missing? | What to do | Works Cited example |
|---|---|---|
| No author | Start with the source title instead. Alphabetize by the first word (ignoring articles). | "Australia fires: ‘Catastrophic’ alerts in South Australia and Victoria." BBC News, 20 Nov. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50483410. |
| No title | Give a brief description of the source. Use sentence case and no italics or quotation marks. | Mackintosh, Charles Rennie. Chair of stained oak. 1897–1900, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. |
| No date | Leave out the publication date. Add the date you accessed the source at the end of the citation. | "Who are Scribbr Editors?" Scribbr, www.scribbr.com/about-us/editors/. Accessed 10 June 2019. |
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that direct your reader to the full source entry in the Works Cited list. They are essential for giving credit to your sources and avoiding plagiarism. According to MLA guidelines, you should include an in-text citation every time you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source.
The most common format for an MLA in-text citation is the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found, enclosed in parentheses:
(Smith 17)
If you've already mentioned the author's name in your sentence, you only need to include the page number(s) in the citation:
Smith argues that "the MLA style is widely used in the humanities" (17).
The basic format can vary depending on the situation:
Beyond citation, several tools can enhance your academic work. Consider these resources:
