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Citation Style Guide: MLA Citation

Covers four of the most prominent style guides, including citation examples, that can be used for writing papers and completing assignments.

About MLA

MLA is most commonly used in Literature, Arts & Humanities.


A copy of the MLA style manual is available at the Research Help Desk in the Academic Commons:

Modern Language Association of America. MLA Handbook. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2021.
Call Number: REF LB2369 .M52 2021

MLA Citation Worksheet

MLA Citation Examples

Book by a single author

Format: Author's last name, first name. Title of the Book. Publisher name, Date of publication.

Example: Staff, Frank. The Valentine & Its Origins. Frederick A. Praeger, 1969.

Article in a periodical

Format: Author's last name, first name. "Title of the article." Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Date of publication, pages.

Example: Fuller, Graham. "Brute Force." Film Comment, vol. 39, 2000, pp. 35-37.

Articles / websites found online

Format: Author's last name, first name. "Title of the Website Article." Title of the Entire Website. Date of document or date of last revision, if known. Website URL. Date of access.

Example: Burka, Lauren P. "A Hypertext History of Multi-User Dimensions." MUD History. 1993. http://www.utopia.com/talent/lpb/muddex/essay. Accessed 2 Aug. 1996.

Articles found via online database

Format: Author's last name, first name. "Title of Article." Title of Publication, volume number, issue number, year published, pages. Name of electronic database. Name of online service provider. Date accessed.

Example: Warren, Christopher. "Working to Ensure a Secure and Comprehensive Peace in the Middle East." U.S. Dept. of State Dispatch, vol.  7, no. 14, 1996. Academic Search Complete. Accessed 12 Aug. 1996.

Online MLA Resources

Some useful online resources include:

MLA Style Center:
Using MLA Format
Works Cited: A Quick Guide

UMGC Library:
MLA Citation Examples

Excelsior College OWL:
MLA Works Cited

Mendeley:
Mendeley Ultimate Citation Cheat Sheet (APA & MLA)
- Download PDF

Purdue OWL:
MLA - 5 YouTube Video Series

MLA Style Annotated Bibliography

UMGC Library:
How to Write an Annotated Bibliography - MLA Style

Recommended Guides

The following guides may prove useful as you begin your search for articles...