Subject Guide
MLA
Changes in 9th edition
The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook was published in 2021. In this update, the format for both in-text and Works Cited citations is the same as the 8th edition. The 9th edition also includes this clarification on citing a film/DVD.
A film/DVD:
Generally list film directors as key contributors in the Contributor element
Blade Runner. 1982. Directed by Ridley Scott, director’s cut, Warner Bros., 1992.
Examples of MLA Style
In-text Citation
|
Material Type |
In-text Citation |
|
Author's name in text |
Magny develops this argument (67-69). |
|
Author's name in reference |
This argument has been developed elsewhere (Magny 67-69). |
|
Two authors' names in reference |
The most notorious foreign lobby in Washington is the "Sugar Mafia" (Howe and Trott 134). |
|
Quotation found in indirect or "secondhand" source |
The philosopher Alain states that "admiration is not pleasure but a kind of attention. . ." (qtd. in Magny 66). |
More MLA
Creating a Works Cited Page
With MLA style, you must include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper. A Works Cited page is an alphabetical listing of the resources cited in your paper. Below are some examples of MLA style citations. Note: Some instructors may require access dates for websites or other pieces of information. Please check with your instructor if you have any questions.
|
Material Type |
Works Cited |
|
Book in print |
Card, Claudia. The Atrocity Paradigm: A Theory of Evil. Oxford UP, 2005. |
|
eBook |
Gaither, Milton. Homeschool: An American History. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. SpringerLink, doi-org.pitt.idm.oclc.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95056-0. |
|
An article in a print journal |
Doggart, Julia. "Minding the Gap: Realizing Our Ideal Community Writing Assistance Program." The Community Literacy Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, 2007, pp. 71-80. |
|
An article in an electronic journal |
Sherrard-Johnson, Cherene. "'A Plea for Color': Nella Larsen's Iconography of the Mulatta." American Literature, vol. 76, no. 4, 2004, pp. 833-869, doi:10.1215/00029831-76-4-833. |
|
A encyclopedia entry |
“Patanjali.” Benét’s Reader’s Encyclopedia, edited by Bruce Murphy, 4th ed., HarperCollins Publishers, 1996, p. 782. |
|
A government publication |
United States, Federal Maritime Commission. Hawaiian Trade Study: An Economic Analysis. Government Printing Office, 1978. |
|
An interview you conducted |
Brandt, Deborah. Personal interview. 28 May 2008. |
|
A film/DVD |
Note: This depends on the focus of your work. Please see the MLA Style blog for a detailed explanation. |
|
A Page on a Website with no author |
"Stunning Lakeside View on Lake Erie." VisitPA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 7 June 2018, www.visitpa.com/article/stunning-lakeside-views-lake-erie. |
|
A Page on a Website with an author |
Del Castillo, Inigo. "How Not to Kill Your Houseplants, According to Botanists." Apartment Therapy, 29 Jan. 2020, www.apartmenttherapy.com/houseplant-tips-botanists-36710191. |
|
Artwork - from website |
Sherald, Amy. Former First Lady, Michelle Obama. 2018. National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2018.15. |
Websites
A Modern Language Association hosted website with information on MLA citation and related resources. The MLA Style Center does not contain the full text of the handbook, although it walks users through the process of creating an entry in the works cited list.
Online writing lab with formatting tips and sample papers. The "Cite your source automatically" feature on Purdue Owl pages is part of another website, and not recommended.
Citation examples, videos, and formatting guides for MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.
Information on citing government print and electronic resources using MLA citation style. (Courtesy of the University of Nevada-Reno)