Basic Works Cited Entry Format

Each entry in the Works Cited page begins with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and their first name. The title of the source is then listed in italics, followed by the publication information. Here is the general MLA format citation for various source types:

Book:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Edition, Publisher, Publication Year.

Example:

Stevenson, Thomas. The Citation Manual for Students: A Quick Guide. 2nd ed., Wiley, 2018.

Article in a Journal:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Publication Year, page range.

Example:

Johnson, Sarah. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” Environmental Science Journal, vol. 25, no. 3, 2021, pp. 45-60.

Website:

Author’s Last Name, First Name (if available). “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website, URL (without “http://” or “https://”), Accessed Day Month Year.

Example:

Brown, Emma. “How to Start a Business.” Entrepreneur, www.entrepreneur.com/articles/123456, Accessed 15 June 2023.

Film or Documentary:

Title of Film. Directed by Director’s Name, Performances by Actors’ Names, Production Company, Release Year.

Example:

The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1994.

This guide will be helpful to you in creating an outline research proposal and research papers using MLA Format citation styles for a compelling and well-referenced academic document.

Additional Considerations

Unknown Authors:

If the author’s name is unknown, begin the citation with the title of the source.

Example:

“The Benefits of Meditation.” Mindfulness Magazine, vol. 10, no. 3, 2019, pp. 34-45.

Indirect Sources:

When citing an indirect source, such as a quotation found within another source, include the source in your Works Cited page.

Example Citing an Indirect Source:

Harley, Ted. The Power of Imagination. Random House, 2022. Quoted in Johnson, Emily. “The Role of Creativity in Problem-Solving.” Journal of Innovation, vol. 15, no. 4, 2023, pp. 78-90.

Online Sources:

For online sources, include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) at the end of the citation. Ensure that the URL is clickable and the DOI is preceded by “https://doi.org/”.

Online Journal Article Example:

Johnson, Emily. “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health.” Journal of Psychology, vol. 25, no. 2, 2021, pp. 45-60, www.journalofpsychology.com/article/1234.

Conclusion

Mastering the MLA format citation style is crucial for any scholar or researcher aiming to produce high-quality academic work. In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the intricacies of in-text citations and the construction of the Works Cited page. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you will be equipped with the necessary tools to seamlessly incorporate and reference sources in your writing.