MLA Citation Style Guide   Tags: mla_citations  

This guide will help you set up your MLA citations.  Click on the tab for the source you want to cite for examples. 

If you cannot find an example here, ask a librarian or use our 24/7 online chat service:   Ask a Librarian.

Copies of the MLA Handbook are available for use in the library.  For a copy, ask the librarian.

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Every source, whether it is in print or online, includes several key elements:

> author's name

> title of the work

> publication information

> format of material (print, web, DVD)

Depending on the source you are using, additional elements, such as editors, volumes or edition numbers might be required.

A period or a comma and a space follow each element.

Each source is listed separately and is arranged alphabetically by the author's last name.   The author's last name comes first (Ex:  Smith, Zadie.)

If no author’s name is shown on the publication, your citation starts with the title comes first.

The most important thing to remember is to be consistent in the way you present the information and include all of the elements necessary to identify it. When in doubt about the citation format for a specific resource, you should always contact your instructor.

MLA no longer requires including the URL (web address) for on line sources. However, your instructor may want you to include the URL.  Always refer to your instructor's published materials and follow their specific instructions.

For space reasons, not all the examples in this guide are double spaced or have a hanging indent.  Your citations should be double-spaced within and between each entry and formatted so that the first line of each source starts at the left margin; the second and any succeeding lines are indented five spaces