How do I cite in MLA?
Answer
This table shows some of the top things to keep in mind when citing in MLA. At the bottom is a link to the MLA Quick Guide, which has example citations for the most common types of sources. You can find even more information on our MLA Style guide!
| MLA Style | |
| At the top of the citations page... | Works Cited |
| Capitalization |
Capitalize all the main words in titles: "Focusing 'Upstream' to Address Maternal and Child Health Inequities: Two Local Health Departments in Washington State Make the Transition." Maternal and Child Health Journal |
| Period or comma? |
Periods after author name(s), title, page numbers, and at the end of citations. Commas after publisher, year (if page numbers), periodical title, volume, number, and database. |
| Italics | Italicize book titles, databases, and periodicals. |
| DOI, permalink, or URL? | Use the DOI if one is provided. If no DOI, look for a permalink. If no permalink, use the URL from the address bar. |
| Author(s) |
Two authors: Gibbs, Jewelle T., and Larke Huang. Three or more authors (list the first author's name, then et al.): Franco, Robert, et al. |
| In text citations |
One author: (Walker 194) Two authors: (Dorris and Erdrich 23) Three authors: (Bradley et al. 42) When there is no author, use the first word or two of the title in italics: (Study Finds 3) When there is no page number, just use the author name(s) For more examples see pages 54-58 and 116-117 of the MLA Handbook. |
| Secondary/indirect sources |
If Allport is quoted in Nicholson and you did not read Allport, list Nicholson in your works cited. In the text, use the following citation: Samuel Allport admitted that Edmund Burke was an "extraordinary man" (qtd. in Nicholson 450). MLA Handbook, p. 124 |
