Ever received a paper back with points deducted for improper citations? You're not alone. In academic writing, giving credit where credit is due is paramount. Properly citing your sources not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens your arguments by demonstrating a thorough understanding of existing research. Mastering a citation style, like MLA, is a foundational skill for students and researchers alike.
MLA (Modern Language Association) citation is a widely used style, particularly in the humanities. Its consistent format allows readers to easily identify your sources and locate them for further exploration. Accurate and complete MLA citations contribute to the credibility and professionalism of your work, demonstrating your commitment to academic integrity and rigorous scholarship. Understanding the nuances of MLA can be daunting, but breaking it down into manageable pieces makes it far less intimidating.
What are common questions about MLA citation?
What does a typical MLA citation look like?
A typical MLA citation includes the author's name, the title of the source, publication information, and location information (like page numbers or a URL), formatted according to specific MLA guidelines. For a book, it usually appears as: Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year of Publication.
The core elements of an MLA citation aim to provide readers with the necessary information to locate the original source. The specific elements and their order can vary depending on the type of source being cited. For example, a website citation will differ from a journal article citation. However, the guiding principle remains the same: clarity and accuracy in presenting source information. The "Works Cited" page at the end of a paper is alphabetized by the first element of each citation, usually the author's last name.
Here's a further breakdown of citation elements for common source types: * **Books:** Author’s Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year. * **Journal Articles:** Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." *Title of Journal*, Volume, Issue, Date, Pages. * **Websites:** Author’s Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Page." *Website Name*, Publisher (if different from website name), Publication Date, URL.
How do I cite a website in MLA format?
To cite a website in MLA format, include the author's name (if available), the title of the specific page or article you are citing, the name of the website, the publication date or date of last modification, and the URL. The general format is: Author, Last Name, First Name. "Title of Page." *Name of Website*, Date of Publication, URL.
When citing a website, remember that the core principle is to provide enough information for your reader to easily locate the source you used. If a specific author is not listed, begin with the title of the page. If the website doesn't list a publication or modification date, use the access date preceded by "Accessed." For websites with a corporate or group author, use that organization's name as the author. Here's an example: Austen, Jane. *Pride and Prejudice*. Penguin Classics, 2003. www.penguin.co.uk/books/1012424/pride-and-prejudice/. Accessed 15 March 2023. This example includes an author, title, publisher (which functions as the website name in this case), date of publication, and URL. Remember to adjust this template according to the specific information available for the website you are citing. If there is no publisher listed, which is more common for websites, you omit that element.What's the difference between a Works Cited page and a bibliography in MLA?
In MLA style, the primary difference between a Works Cited page and a bibliography lies in their purpose and scope. A Works Cited page lists only the sources you have directly cited within your research paper, providing specific documentation for the information you've used. A bibliography, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive list that includes all sources you consulted during your research, regardless of whether you explicitly cited them in your paper.
A Works Cited page serves as a transparent record of the sources that directly contributed to the arguments and evidence presented in your work. It allows readers to quickly verify your claims and explore the specific materials you drew upon. Every source listed on the Works Cited page should correspond to an in-text citation within the body of your paper, and vice versa. This ensures a clear and direct connection between your analysis and the sources that support it. While the MLA Handbook primarily advocates for the Works Cited approach in academic papers, the concept of a bibliography can still be relevant in certain contexts. For instance, a bibliography might be appropriate for a research project where you want to demonstrate the breadth of your exploration or provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on a particular topic. In such cases, the bibliography would include both cited and uncited sources, offering a broader perspective on your research process. Always consult your instructor's guidelines to determine whether a Works Cited page or a bibliography is required for your assignment. Here is an example of an MLA citation for a book: Lastname, Firstname. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Year.How is in-text citation done in MLA style?
In MLA style, in-text citations are brief references within your writing that point your reader to the full source entry in your Works Cited page. Typically, this involves including the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information was found, enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith 42).
The goal of in-text citation is to provide enough information for the reader to easily locate the corresponding entry in the Works Cited list without disrupting the flow of your writing. The author's name can be included either within the sentence itself or within the parenthetical citation. If the author's name is already mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the parentheses. For example: "As Smith argues, '...' (42)." If there's no author, use a shortened version of the title instead, enclosed in quotation marks if it's an article or chapter, or italicized if it's a book or website.
Several special cases exist. If you are citing an entire work and not a specific page, you only need to include the author's name in the parentheses. For electronic sources without page numbers, you can omit the page number entirely. If you are citing two authors with the same last name, include their first initials to avoid confusion. Always ensure that the information in your in-text citation directly corresponds to an entry in your Works Cited page for easy cross-referencing.
Do I need to cite common knowledge in MLA?
Generally, you do not need to cite common knowledge in MLA format. Common knowledge refers to facts that are widely known and accessible to the general public or within a specific field of study. However, it's important to understand what constitutes common knowledge and to err on the side of caution when in doubt.
To determine if information qualifies as common knowledge, consider whether you can find the same information in multiple credible sources without attribution. For example, basic historical dates (like the year World War II ended) or well-established scientific facts (like water boiling at 100 degrees Celsius) are typically considered common knowledge. However, if the information is a specific interpretation, analysis, or unique phrasing of a fact, even if the underlying fact itself is well-known, it requires a citation. When using someone else's particular viewpoint or synthesis of information, it's essential to give credit to the original source.
When in doubt, it's always better to cite your source. Over-citing is preferable to plagiarism. Ask yourself: did I know this information before researching my topic? If the answer is no, or if the information is presented in a way that closely resembles a specific source, then you should provide a citation. Furthermore, remember that what is considered common knowledge can vary depending on your audience. Information that is common knowledge within a specialized field might not be widely known to a general audience, and in such cases, citation would be appropriate for clarity and context.
What is an MLA citation example?
An MLA citation provides crucial information about the source you used in your writing, enabling readers to locate it. A full MLA citation appears in your Works Cited list at the end of your paper, and a corresponding in-text citation (parenthetical citation) appears within the body of your paper. Below are a few examples of different source types and how to cite them in MLA format, 9th edition.
For a book by a single author:
Works Cited: Smith, John. The History of Modern Literature . Norton, 2023.
In-text citation: (Smith 45)
For a journal article found through a database:
Works Cited: Doe, Jane. "The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse." Journal of Communication , vol. 55, no. 2, 2015, pp. 100-120. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/12345678 .
In-text citation: (Doe 105)
For a website :
Works Cited: National Geographic. "The Amazon Rainforest." National Geographic , 10 Jan. 2024, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforests/ . Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
In-text citation: ("The Amazon Rainforest")
These examples highlight the basic structure: Author, "Title," Source, and relevant publication information. Remember that specific details may vary depending on the source type and the information available. Consulting the official MLA Handbook is always recommended for comprehensive guidance. The Purdue OWL website also provides a reliable and up-to-date resource for MLA formatting.
How do I format long quotations using MLA guidelines?
In MLA style, quotations exceeding four lines of prose or three lines of verse should be formatted as a block quotation. This means indenting the entire quotation half an inch from the left margin, double-spacing it, and omitting quotation marks. The parenthetical citation follows the closing punctuation of the block quotation.
A block quotation signals to the reader that the following text is a significant and extended excerpt from another source. By indenting the entire block, you visually separate it from your own analysis and commentary, making it clear where the original author's words begin and end. The absence of quotation marks further reinforces this distinction.
When incorporating a block quotation, introduce it with a signal phrase that sets the stage for the reader. This phrase should provide context for the quote and explain its relevance to your argument. The parenthetical citation after the final punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point) is crucial for giving proper credit to the original author and enabling readers to locate the source in your Works Cited list. Remember to maintain double-spacing throughout the entire document, including the block quotation and the citation.
What if some information is missing when citing using MLA?
When information is missing for a citation in MLA format, provide as much information as possible and omit what is unavailable. Do not invent or guess missing information. Focus on the core elements and proceed accordingly, following specific guidelines for common missing elements like author, title, date, or publisher.
When the author is missing, begin the citation with the title of the work. If the title is long, shorten it appropriately for the in-text citation. When the publication date is missing, use "n.d." (no date) in its place. If the publisher is missing, use "n.p." (no publisher). It's crucial to remember that while omissions are acceptable when necessary, actively searching for the missing information is always recommended before declaring it absent. Library databases, online archives, and even contacting the source directly can often yield the missing details needed for a complete and accurate citation. While omitting information is sometimes unavoidable, prioritize accuracy whenever possible. If you're citing a web page without an author and date, look closely for an organizational author or a "last updated" date at the bottom of the page. Missing information can subtly undermine your credibility, so always double-check your sources and strive for the most complete citations you can create. Consider adapting your research strategy to prioritize sources that offer robust bibliographic information.Hopefully, that clears up the basics of MLA citation! It might seem a little daunting at first, but with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it. Thanks for reading, and feel free to come back anytime you have more burning research questions!