How to Format a Journal in MLA

When you use information from a journal for a term paper or essay, it is critical that you list your sources on a works-cited page. Proper citation helps avoid suspicion of plagiarism or academic dishonesty, which is a serious charge that can negatively impact or even end your academic career. If you are adhering to style guidelines published by the MLA (Modern Library Association), you must arrange bibliographic information for journal articles in a specific format.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin your citation with the author's last name, followed by a comma, and then the first name, followed by a period. For example:

      Doe, John.

    • 2

      Enclose the title of the article in quotation marks and include a period. For example:

      "Cellular Phones and the Future of Health."

    • 3

      List the title of the journal in italic type. Do not place a period after it. If the name of a journal begins with "the," omit it. For example:

      Journal of Really Hazardous Stuff

    • 4

      List the volume number followed by the issue number, separated by a period. For example:

      14.19

      Some journals are paginated by volume, meaning there are no issue numbers. In this case, simply list the volume number.

    • 5

      List the publication year, followed by the pages on which the article appears. This information should be formatted as follows:

      (2008): 142-149.

    • 6

      Conclude the entry with the medium of publication, followed by a period. This reference should be listed as "Print." The completed entry should maintain this format:

      Doe, John. "Cellular Phones and the Future of Health." Journal of Really Hazardous Stuff 14.19 (2008): 142-149. Print.

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