MLA Citations (9th)

Introduction to Guide

In the world of academic writing, it is crucial to acknowledge the sources of information used in your work. Citing your sources not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps you avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's ideas or words as your own without proper attribution. It is a serious offense that can lead to academic penalties and damage to your reputation.

To ensure that you properly cite your sources and avoid plagiarism, it is essential to use a standardized citation format. One of the most widely used formats is the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. MLA is a set of guidelines for formatting papers and citing sources in the fields of language and literature. It provides a consistent and organized way to document the sources you have consulted in your research.

Using MLA style demonstrates your commitment to academic integrity and shows that you have conducted thorough research. It allows your readers to easily locate and verify the sources you have used, enhancing the credibility of your work. Moreover, adhering to MLA guidelines helps you develop good research habits and strengthens your ability to engage with scholarly conversations in your field.

Use this guide to help you use MLA properly. 

How to set up MLA citations

MLA citations consist of two main components: in-text citations and a works cited page. In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that direct readers to the full citation on the works cited page. 

What is a works cited page and how to format it?

A works cited page is a list of all the sources you have cited in your paper. It appears at the end of your document and provides full bibliographic information for each source. To format a works cited page, begin on a new page and title it "Works Cited." Center the title and double-space the entire list. Arrange the entries alphabetically by the author's last name or by the title if there is no author. Use a hanging indent for each entry, meaning the first line of each citation should be flush left, and any subsequent lines should be indented half an inch. Be sure to follow MLA guidelines for formatting each type of source (e.g., books, articles, websites). 

How to do in-text citations and how to format them 

In-text citations are brief references within your paper that direct readers to the full citation on the works cited page. They typically include the author's last name and the page number (if available) in parentheses at the end of the sentence or paragraph in which the source is used. For example: (Smith 23). If you mention the author's name in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses. When citing a source with no page numbers (such as a website), simply use the author's last name or a shortened title in parentheses. If you are citing a work with three or more authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." in the in-text citation. 

Works Cited Citations

1. Book with one author:

   Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.

   Example: Smith, John. The Art of Writing. Penguin Books, 2020.

2. Book with two authors:

   First Author's Last Name, First Name, and Second Author's First Name Last Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.

   Example: Johnson, Sarah, and Michael Lee. The Science of Reading. Oxford University Press, 2019.

3. Journal article:

   Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, Pages.

   Example: Brown, Emily. "The Impact of Social Media on Communication." Journal of Media Studies, vol. 5, no. 3, 2021, pp. 25-38.

4. Website:

   Author's Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Web Page." Title of Website, Publisher (if different from website name), Publication Date, URL. Accessed Date.

   Example: Smith, Jane. "The Benefits of Meditation." HealthyLiving.com, 10 May 2022, www.healthyliving.com/meditation-benefits. Accessed 18 May 2024.

5. Newspaper article:

   Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Newspaper, Publication Date, Page(s).

   Example: Johnson, David. "New Legislation Passed in Congress." The New York Times, 15 June 2023, p. A1.

6. Magazine article:

   Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine, Publication Date, Page(s).

   Example: Davis, Laura. "The Rise of Eco-Friendly Fashion." Vogue, Sept. 2022, pp. 45-50.

7. Online article: 

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Website, Publisher (if different from website name), Publication Date, URL. Accessed Date. 

Example: Johnson, Mark. "The Impact of Climate Change on Global Food Security." National Geographic, 5 Feb. 2023, www.nationalgeographic.com/climate-change-food-security. Accessed 18 May 2024.

7. YouTube video:

   Creator's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Username, Upload Date, URL.

   Example: Thompson, Mark. "How to Bake a Perfect Cake." YouTube, uploaded by BakingTips, 3 Apr. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123.

8. Podcast episode:

   Host's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Episode." Title of Podcast, Season (if applicable), Episode (if applicable), Publisher, Publication Date, URL.

   Example: Johnson, Sarah. "The Art of Storytelling." The Creative Mind, season 2, episode 5, Podcasty, 12 Aug. 2023, www.podcasty.com/creative-mind/s2e5.

9. Film:

   Title of Film. Directed by Director's First Name Last Name, Performance by Lead Actor(s), Studio, Release Year.

   Example: The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Performance by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994.

10. Personal interview:

    Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. Personal interview. Date of Interview.

    Example: Smith, John. Personal interview. 10 May 2024.

11. Lecture or presentation:

    Presenter's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Lecture." Name of Event, Date of Event, Venue, City.

    Example: Johnson, Emily. "The Future of Artificial Intelligence." Tech Conference, 15 Sept. 2023, Convention Center, New York City.

12. Government document:

Title of Document: Subtitle if Given. Edition if given and is not first edition, Name of Government Primary Agency, Publication Date.

Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report. 7th ed., Statistics Canada, 2015.