How to Cite a Text if No Author Is Known?

Since in-text citations usually refer to an author's last name, and works-cited entries begin with and are alphabetized by an author's last name, citing a source without a known author can sometimes be confusing. Both American Psychological Association (APA) citation style and Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style stipulate that citations of sources with no known author should begin with the title of the work instead of the name of the author.

Instructions

    • 1

      Cite the title and the page number parenthetically within the text if you are using MLA style. Do not place a comma between these elements. For example:

      One author of the period stated that "orioles, far from uncommon, flocked about the cathedrals of the city" ("Birds of the Continent" 47).

      The titles of major works such as books should appear in italics. The titles of lesser works such as poems and articles should appear in quotation marks.

    • 2

      Cite the title, year of publication and the page number parenthetically within the text if you are using APA style. Separate these elements with commas, and place a "p." before the page number. For example:

      One author of the period stated that "orioles, far from uncommon, flocked about the cathedrals of the city" ("Birds of the Continent," 1982, p. 47).

      The titles of major works such as books should appear in italics. The titles of lesser works such as poems and articles should appear in quotation marks.

    • 3

      Begin your works-cited entry with the title of the text. For example, to cite a book with no author in MLA format, use the following template:

      Title (in italics). City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Medium of Publication.

      Use the following template for APA format:

      Title (in italics). (Year). City, State of Publication: Publisher.

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