How to Cite Sources MLA Style

The Modern Language Association defines specific styles that you use when citing sources in a paper. If an idea you are presenting is based off of another person's work, it's critical to credit the source to avoid issues with intellectual property and plagiarism. Whether the source is a book, article or online content, you must use proper format, especially in academic circles.

Things You'll Need

  • Sources to cite.
  • The need for MLA style.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start a separate page for citations, using the term "Works Cited." List the citations in alphabetical order, starting with the first letter of the entry.

    • 2

      Understand the structure of the citation. It has three parts; the author or editor, title and publication information.

    • 3

      Always underline the book title. Separate the three sections with two spaces. Abbreviate common terms, such as "Press" or "University" without using periods.

    • 4

      Start the first line at the margin and indent the second line, and any subsequent lines for that citation, five spaces. When citing a book with multiple authors, only the first author is listed last name, first name. The other authors are listed without inverting the names. A book that is anonymous does not require an author.

      For example (note that the book is underlined in MLA citations, but not here due to publication limitations):
      Brazelton, T Berry and Stanley I Greenspan. The Irreducible Needs of Children. New York: Perseus, 2000.

    • 5

      Use a similar format for online sources. Start with the author, underline the website name and use programming brackets, the ones that look similar to arrows, around the URL.

      For example: Durst, Pablo. "Masquerading and Maulings." Website of Awesome Stuff. 1999. Temple University. 25 Dec. 2009 <http://www.fake.edu/fakeness/faker.html>.

    • 6

      Cite a book chapter, remembering to underline the book title.

      For example: Beam, James. "Chapter of Drinking." Drinking for Fun. Ed. James Bowley. Seattle: Crane Publishing, 1988. 165-168.

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