Incorporate the author whose quote you are using into your sentence naturally. Use the last name of the author and write the year of the publication in parentheses.
For example: Smith (2000) explains that the brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human.
Cite the author at the end of the sentence as an alternative to Step 1.
For example: The brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human (Smith 2000).
Cite the name of both authors when using a work completed by two people.
For example: Smith and Anderson (2000) explain that the brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human.
Or: The brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human (Smith & Anderson 2000).
When citing at the end of a sentence, always use the "&" symbol for "and."
Cite three or more authors by using the first author's name, followed by "et al." to signal that there is more than one other author.
For example: Smith et al. (2000) explains that the brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human.
Or: The brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human (Smith et al. 2000).
Cite information from online sources by clarifying that the data was accessed online at a certain date.
For example: The brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human. (Online, Smith, accessed 7 June, 2000).
Cite an interview by clarifying the full name of the author, stating that the source was an interview and giving the date.
For example: The brain of a chimpanzee is nearly identical to that of a modern human. (Thomas Smith, interview, 7 June, 2000).
Number your references beginning with the number one. Type "1.", "2.", "3." and each successive number after that before writing in the information for the reference.
Order your references by the order in which they appear in your paper. Write a shorthand list of the order your references appear on scrap paper for convenience before writing your official list.
Type magazine and journal references in a particular format. Use: Author's last name, first initial. Second initial. Year of publication. Title of article. Title of magazine or journal. Vol.(no.): Pg/s. (Pg/s).
For example: Smith, T. M. 2000. From Chimp Brains to Human Brains. Scientific Life. Vol.(9): Pgs. 100-123.
Type online references using a specific format. Use: Author's last name, first initial. Second initial. Title of article, (http://www.cas.usf. edu/apes/mla.htm), date of access.
For example: Smith, T. M. "From Chimp Brains to Human Brains," (http://www.scientificlife.org), 7 June, 2000.
Underline the title of the article.
Type book references using a specific format. Use: Author's last name, first initial. Second initial. Year of publication. Title of book. Publishing company. City and state of publication. Pg/s. (pg/s).
For example: Smith, T. M. 2000. "From Chimp Brains to Human Brains." Brookstone Press. San Francisco, Ca. Pgs. 100-123.
Underline the title of the book.