1. Books:
* Look at the title page: The publisher's name is typically found near the bottom of the title page, often alongside the city of publication and the year.
* Check the copyright page: The copyright page, usually the back of the title page, will also often include the publisher's name.
* Look for a colophon: Some books have a colophon (a brief statement about the book's production) that may include the publisher's name.
2. Articles in Journals:
* Journal title: The journal itself is considered the publisher.
* Publisher information: Some journals may have a publisher's name listed on the title page or masthead.
3. Websites:
* Website name: The website itself is often the publisher.
* Organization name: If the website belongs to an organization, the organization's name is the publisher.
* Individual name: If a website is authored by an individual, the individual's name is the publisher.
4. Online Databases:
* Database name: The database name is usually considered the publisher. However, you might need to double-check if there's a specific organization or journal associated with the content.
5. Other Resources:
* Library catalog: Search the library's online catalog for the source. It often includes publisher information.
* Google Scholar: Google Scholar can provide publisher information for some sources.
Example:
Let's say you're citing a book titled "The Art of Storytelling" by John Smith. You find the following information on the title page:
* Author: John Smith
* Title: The Art of Storytelling
* Publisher: Penguin Random House
* City: New York
* Year: 2023
In your MLA citation, you would list "Penguin Random House" as the publisher.
Important Notes:
* Abbreviate: For well-known publishers, use standard abbreviations (e.g., "HarperCollins" instead of "HarperCollins Publishers").
* Multiple publishers: If a source has multiple publishers, list them in the order they appear on the source.
* Unknown publishers: If you cannot determine the publisher, you can use "N.p." (no publisher) in your citation.
Let me know if you have any further questions about publisher identification or MLA citations!