How to Reference in MLA Style: A Quick Guide

Modern Language Association (MLA) formatting is the go‑to style for humanities papers. Knowing the essential rules for in‑text citations and the Works Cited page will help you avoid common pitfalls and keep your writing professional. This article breaks down the core elements of MLA referencing in a concise, SEO‑friendly format.

Basic MLA Format

Every MLA paper follows a consistent layout:

• Margins: 1‑inch on all sides.
• Font: Readable 12‑point (Times New Roman is preferred).
• Line spacing: Double‑spaced throughout, including the Works Cited list.
• Header: Your last name and page number in the upper right corner.
• Title: Centered, without bold or underline; use title case.

In‑Text Citations

MLA uses the author‑page format. Place the citation at the end of the referenced sentence, inside parentheses:

(Smith 45) – where “Smith” is the author’s last name and “45” is the page number. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, only the page number is needed:

According to Smith, the results were inconclusive (45).

For sources with no author, use a shortened title in quotation marks:

(“Global Warming” 22).

Works Cited Entries

The Works Cited page lists every source referenced in your text. Follow these formatting rules:

• Alphabetical order: Arrange entries by the author’s last name.
• Hanging indent: The second and subsequent lines of each entry are indented 0.5 inches.
• Basic structure: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Source. Publisher, Publication Year.

Example:

Smith, John. Understanding Modern Poetry. Oxford University Press, 2021.

Common Source Types

Below are quick templates for frequently cited materials:

• Book: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title. Publisher, Year.
• Journal article: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx‑xx.
• Website: Author’s Last Name, First Name (if available). “Page Title.” Website Name, Publisher (if different), Publication date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
• Film: Title of Film. Directed by Director’s Name, performance by Lead Actor(s), Production Company, Year.

By mastering these core components, you’ll produce clean, accurate MLA citations that enhance the credibility of your work. For more detailed scenarios—such as multiple authors, no page numbers, or translated works—consult the latest MLA Handbook or reputable online guides.

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