How to Cite a Bibliography in MLA Format

One of the most important reasons to cite your sources when writing a term paper is to avoid charges of academic plagiarism. However, by formatting your citations correctly, you can also communicate to your professors that you are hard-working and dedicated to your schoolwork. The Modern Language Association sets out common guidelines for the bibliographical citation of works at the end of a term paper. The correct format for citation will depend on the type of source you are citing.

Instructions

    • 1

      Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing a book:

      Author's last name, first name. Title of Work. City of Publication: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

      For example:

      Fogler, Jason. Understanding Aliens. Chicago: University Press, 1990. Print.

      Be sure to italicize the title of the book.

      If a book has been compiled by an editor or translated, this information should be listed after the title. For example:

      Fogler, Jason. Understanding Aliens. Ed. Jack Smith. Chicago: University Press, 1990. Print.

      Fogler, Jason. Understanding Aliens. Trans. Jack Smith. Chicago: University Press, 1990. Print.

    • 2

      Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing a reference book such as a dictionary or encyclopedia:

      Title of Article or Entry. Title of Reference Work. Number of Edition. Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

      For example:

      "Communism." The Oxford Encyclopedia. 5th ed. 2006. Print.

      Be sure to italicize the title of the encyclopedia or dictionary.

    • 3

      Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing an article from a newspaper:

      Author's last name, first name. "Title of Article." Title of Newspaper Date of Publication: Page Number. Medium of Publication.

      For example:

      Johnson, James. "Yugoslavia Seeks Aid." The New York Times 27 May 1999: A3. Print.

      Be sure to italicize the name of the newspaper.

      If the newspaper does not have a wide readership, include the city where it is published in brackets after the title of the newspaper. For example:

      Johnson, James. "Yugoslavia Seeks Aid." The Bangor Daily News [ Bangor, ME] 27 May 1999: A3. Print.

    • 4

      Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing an article from a journal:

      Author's last name, first name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume Number.Issue Number (Year of Publication): Page Number(s). Medium of Publication.

      Both the journal title and the volume number should be italicized. The issue number should not be italicized.

      For example:

      Johnson, James. "A History of Yugoslavian Appeals for Aid." Political Science Quarterly 16.20 (1999): 19-24. Print.

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