Ever found the perfect information on a website, the ideal quote or statistic to bolster your argument, only to be stumped on how to properly credit it? Citing sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity, ensuring you give credit where it's due and avoid plagiarism. When using websites in your research, mastering MLA citation style is crucial for clear communication and a polished, professional paper.
Properly citing websites in MLA not only demonstrates respect for intellectual property but also strengthens your own work. It allows readers to easily verify your sources, builds credibility for your arguments, and showcases your attention to detail. Knowing how to accurately and consistently cite websites ensures your research is both ethical and impactful. Failing to do so can have serious consequences, from lowered grades to accusations of plagiarism, damaging your academic reputation.
What are the most common questions about citing websites in MLA?
What elements are needed for an MLA website citation?
An MLA website citation requires several key elements to properly credit the source and allow readers to locate it. These elements, presented in a specific order, typically include the author's name (if available), the title of the specific page or document being cited, the name of the website, the publication date or date of last update, and the URL.
Providing all of these elements allows your reader to easily verify the information and find the original source themselves. If an element is missing, such as the author's name, simply omit that element and begin with the next available piece of information, while ensuring the rest of your citation follows the correct format.
Here's a breakdown of the typical order and some potential variations:
- Author (if available): Last Name, First Name.
- "Title of Page or Document."
- Name of Website.
- Publisher of the Website (only include if different from the website name).
- Date of Publication or Last Update.
- URL (without "https://").
How do I cite a website with no author in MLA style?
When a website lacks an identifiable author, begin the MLA citation with the title of the webpage or document within quotation marks. Follow this with the name of the website (in italics), the publisher or sponsor of the site (if different from the website name), the date of publication or last modification, and the URL. Remember to exclude "https://" or "http://" from the URL.
For example, let's say you're citing a webpage titled "Understanding Climate Change" from the website "Environmental Science Explained," which is sponsored by the National Environmental Agency. If the page was last updated on March 15, 2023, the citation would look like this: "Understanding Climate Change." *Environmental Science Explained*, National Environmental Agency, 15 Mar. 2023, www.environmentalscienceexplained.org/climate-change.
In your in-text citation, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks. For instance, referencing the above example, your in-text citation would be ("Understanding Climate Change"). If the title is long, you can shorten it to the first few significant words. Remember to maintain consistency between your works cited entry and your in-text citation so readers can easily find the full source. If the website or sponsoring organization is the same as the page title, just list the website once.
What is the difference between citing a website and a webpage in MLA?
In MLA style, the key difference between citing a website and a webpage lies in the scope of what you're referencing. A website is the entire domain or online platform, while a webpage is a specific, individual page within that larger website. When citing, you’ll need to adapt your citation based on whether you are referencing the *entire* website, or a specific *part* of the website.
Think of a website like a book and a webpage like a chapter within that book. If you are making a general statement about the overall content or purpose of *CNN.com*, for instance, you would cite the website. However, if you are referencing a specific news article on *CNN.com* titled "Biden Announces New Climate Initiative," you would cite the webpage.
The citation elements also differ slightly. For a website citation, you generally include the name of the website, but you do *not* typically include a specific title. For a webpage, you include the title of the webpage, the name of the website (as the container), and potentially other elements like the author, publication date, and URL. Always prioritize providing the most specific and accurate information available to help your reader locate the exact source you used. If you consulted multiple pages on a website, cite each individually as a webpage.
How do I format the Works Cited entry for a website in MLA?
To cite a website in MLA format, you generally need the author (if available), the title of the page or document, the name of the website, the publication date or date of last update, and the URL. The basic format is: Author, Last Name First Name. "Title of Page." *Website Name*, Publisher or Sponsor (if different from website name), Date of Publication or Last Update, URL. Accessed Date (if needed).
When assembling your Works Cited entry, pay close attention to the specific elements available on the webpage. If the author is not explicitly stated, you can omit it. Similarly, if the publication or update date is unavailable, skip that part as well. The *Website Name* is italicized, while the "Title of Page" appears in quotation marks. If the website is a self-published entity (meaning the publisher is essentially the same as the website name), you do not need to reiterate the publisher. The "Accessed" date is now considered optional in MLA 9th edition, but include it if the content is likely to change, such as in the case of a wiki or frequently updated news site. Remember to be consistent with capitalization and punctuation; MLA follows specific rules for these aspects, so double-check your formatting against a reliable MLA style guide or handbook. Here's an example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change." *Environmental Science Today*, 15 Jan. 2023, www.environmentalsciencetoday.com/climate-change. Accessed 20 Feb. 2023.How do I cite a source I found on a website in MLA?
To cite a website in MLA format, you typically need the author's name (if available), the title of the specific page or article, the name of the website, the publication date (if available), and the URL. The basic format is: Author, "Title of Page." *Website Name*, Publisher or Sponsor (if different from website name), Date of Publication or last modified, URL. Remember to always check for the most complete information available to ensure accurate citation.
When citing a website, it's crucial to distinguish between the specific page you're referencing and the overall website. The "Title of Page" refers to the particular article, blog post, or section you're using, while the "Website Name" is the overarching title of the entire site. If an author isn't listed, begin the citation with the "Title of Page." In cases where the publisher is the same as the website name, you can omit the publisher information to avoid redundancy. Keep in mind that access dates are no longer required by MLA unless the content is likely to change or is not archived. If the website doesn't provide a publication or last modified date, you can omit it. However, strive to provide as much information as possible for clarity and proper attribution. Here's an example: Doe, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." *Social Media Today*, 15 Jan. 2023, www.socialmediatoday.com/impact-social-media-teenagers.What if a website has no publication date, how do I cite it in MLA?
If a website lacks a publication date, use "n.d." (which stands for "no date") in place of the date in your MLA citation. This indicates that you searched for the information but could not locate a publication or last updated date.
When citing a website without a date, the order of elements in your Works Cited entry remains the same, just with "n.d." inserted where the date would typically be. So, the citation will include the author (if available), the title of the page or document, the name of the website, and then "n.d." followed by the URL. For example: Author, A. A. "Title of Page." *Name of Website*, n.d., URL.
It's also a good practice to check carefully for any hidden dates. Look at the bottom of the page for a copyright date (though this isn't always the publication date of the specific content), or examine the website's "About Us" or "Contact" pages. If you find a "last updated" date, use that instead of "n.d." However, if after a thorough search you genuinely can't find any date information, "n.d." is the correct approach to follow according to MLA guidelines.
How do I create an in-text citation for a website in MLA format?
In MLA format, when citing a website within the body of your paper, you typically use the author's last name (if available) and the page number (if available). If there is no author, use a shortened version of the website's title in quotation marks. If there are no page numbers, omit them.
For websites, page numbers are rarely present. Therefore, your in-text citation will likely consist of the author's last name or a shortened title. For example, a citation might look like this: (Smith) or ("Website Title"). The key is to ensure that the information in your in-text citation clearly corresponds to the first element of your Works Cited entry, allowing your reader to easily locate the full source.
If you are referencing a specific section or heading within a lengthy webpage, you can mention that section within your sentence to provide more context instead of a page number. For example: Smith argues in the "Conclusion" section that... This helps the reader pinpoint the specific part of the website you're referring to, particularly when the webpage lacks pagination.
And there you have it! Hopefully, you now feel confident in citing websites in your MLA papers. It can seem tricky at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature. Thanks so much for taking the time to learn with us, and please come back anytime you need a little citation refresher – we're always happy to help!