How to Write an MLA Citation: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Understanding MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in humanities disciplines. It emphasizes author‑page citations within the text and a detailed “Works Cited” page at the end of your paper. Mastering MLA formatting ensures your sources are credible and your writing looks professional.

Key Elements of an MLA Citation

Every MLA entry includes the following core components, arranged in a specific order:

• Author’s name – last name first, followed by a comma and the first name.
• Title of the source – italicized for books and journals, placed in quotation marks for articles or chapters.
• Title of the container – the larger work that holds the source (e.g., a journal, anthology).
• Other contributors – editors, translators, etc., if relevant.
• Version – edition, volume, or issue number.
• Number – for multi‑volume works.
• Publisher – the company that produced the source.
• Publication date – day, month, and year when available.
• Location – page numbers, DOI, or URL.

Formatting a Book Citation

For a single‑author book, the citation looks like this:

Lastname, Firstname. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:

Smith, John. Understanding Poetry. Academic Press, 2022.

Citing a Journal Article

Journal articles require additional details such as the journal title, volume, and issue number:

Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx‑xx. DOI or URL.

Example:

Doe, Jane. “Modernist Themes in Contemporary Fiction.” Literary Review, vol. 45, no. 3, 2021, pp. 112‑130. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2021.045.

In‑Text Citations

MLA uses a brief parenthetical citation that includes the author’s last name and the page number:

(Smith 45) for a single author, or (Doe and Lee 78‑79) for multiple authors. If no page number is available, simply use the author’s name: (Doe).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing punctuation: Every element ends with a period, except for the DOI or URL, which ends with a period only if it is the final element.

Incorrect italics: Only the titles of larger works (books, journals) are italicized; article or chapter titles use quotation marks.

Improper author order: List authors exactly as they appear on the source, using “and” before the final author.

Final Tips

Always double‑check your “Works Cited” page against the latest MLA Handbook (9th edition). Use reliable citation generators as a starting point, but verify each entry manually. Consistent, accurate MLA citations not only boost your credibility but also help readers locate your sources with ease.

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