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How to Reference a Website With No Author

On-line sources such as websites often provide excellent information, even in very specific or esoteric subject areas. However, since Internet sources don't always follow the traditional rules of publication---some even lack an identifiable author, the most basic element of publication---citing a website is often a perplexing ordeal. Luckily, you can cite even author-less sources adequately and clearly. Remember, the only absolute goal is to provide enough information that people can find your source.

Instructions

  1. In the Text

    • 1

      Mention the title of the website instead of specifying the author, if you mention or introduce the source in the text of a sentence.

    • 2

      Write just the first few words of the title, if you are writing a parenthetical citation.

    • 3

      Enclose the title in quotation marks.

    In the Reference List

    • 4

      Begin the citation entry with the full title of the website. Exclude the first word if it is an article ("A" or "The"). Alphabetize the entry according to the first letter of the website name. Write the website's name exactly as it appears on the website, including spelling, spacing and capitalization.

    • 5

      Provide any available publication information about the website, such as the date it was last updated and/or its publisher.

    • 6

      Write a retrieval statement, including the date you accessed the website (for example, "Retrieved May 10, 2010, from [URL]").

    • 7

      Copy and paste the entire URL for the website. Don't add any punctuation, such as a period, after the URL.

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