An Introduction to
MLA Citation Style
http://rhslibrary.org/ppt/MLA_Style_Intro.ppt
Introduction to MLA Citation Workshop
Agenda
 Reasons for providing citations
 How to cite resources in MLA format
 Printed Books
 Articles in Periodicals
 Electronic and Internet sources
Intro to MLA Citation
Why Provide Citations?
 To allow readers to reference your sources
easily
 To give you credibility as a writer/creator
 To protect yourself from plagiarism
Intro to MLA Citation
Citing resources in MLA format
 Modern Language Association format is used by English
and Humanities students and scholars
 Two basic features of MLA style
 In the text of your paper
 Include the author or title and page citation for each source
 At the end of your paper
 Create list on a new page titled “Works Cited.”
 Include all sources used in your paper
 Alphabetized by author’s last name or title if author is unknown
Intro to MLA Citation
What’s in a Citation?
Generally any print resource you use has an author or
creator, a title, a place of publication, a publisher, the date
it was published, and the medium of the source.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of
bbb Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print.
Note the following:
• Not every item has an author (or editor). If there is no author then start with the
title of the work.
• The title of the item is italicized. (alternatively, it can be underlined).
• Note the punctuation: period follows author, title, date, and medium. Colon
follows place and comma separates publisher from date.
• The second and following lines are indented (hanging indent) in the “Works
Cited” list.
Intro to MLA Citation
Citing Periodicals (Magazines & Newspapers)
Magazine and newspaper articles have an author or creator, an
article title, the title of the magazine or newspaper, the date it was
published, pages, and the medium. For a Web resource the database
or source and the date of access is also required.
Greenblatt, Alan. “Impact of the Internet on
bbbThinking.” CQ Researcher. 20.33 (2010): 773bbb796. CQ Researcher. Web. 8 Oct. 2010.
Note the following:
• Not every article has an author. If there is no author then start with the title of
the article. Do not put “Anonymous.”
• The title of the article is in quotes (“”). The title of the periodical is italicized.
(alternatively, it can be underlined).
• If the periodical has continuous pagination (paging continues from issue to
issue) provide the volume and number instead of the date.
• For all online references include the date you accessed the information.
Intro to MLA Citation
Citing Web Sites
Start with the author or creator (if there is one), then web
site title, a publisher or sponsoring institution, date it was
published or produced, the medium, and the date of
access. Optional: URL
Halsall, Paul, ed. Internet Modern History Sourcebook.
bbbbFordham U, 22 Sept. 2001. Web. 8 Oct. 2010.
bbbb<http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.html>.
Note the following:
• Not every Web page has an author. If there is no author then start with the title
of the Web page. Sometimes the author is a group such as “United States.
Environmental Protection Agency.”
• The title of the Web page is italicized. (alternatively, it can be underlined).
• If the Web page is part of a larger Web site put the Web page title in quotes and
the Web site in italics.
• The URL is optional depending on the requirements of your teacher. If provided,
it goes at the very end of the citation.
Intro to MLA Citation
Citation Creators & Other Helpful Resources 1
• Print and Online Guidelines for Citations
• Under “Help with Citations” on the library’s home page there are links to several
online citation tools. One of those links is to:
• EasyBib
• I like EasyBib for online creation of citations and notes. But do be careful, it’s by
no means foolproof. <http://www.easybib.com>
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers online
• < http://mlahandbook.org/private/fragment/private_index>
• Email address = library@redwood.org | Password = giants
Intro to MLA Citation
Citation Creators & Other Helpful Resources 2
 Database Citation Creators
Many subscription databases have tools to help with making proper citations in
various formats.
 MS Word 2007 and 2010
“References” tab allows for the creation of citations and bibliographies/works
cited lists.
Intro to MLA Citation
Summary & Recommended Resources
 Questions or Comments
 Recommended MLA References
dianahacker.com:The OfficialWeb Site for Diana Hacker Handbooks. Bedford/St.
Martin’s, 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2008.
Documenting Sources: A Hacker Handbook Supplement. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008.
Web. 14 Oct. 2008.
MLA Formatting and Style Guide. Online Writing Lab, Purdue U, 2008. Web. 14
Oct. 2008.
Modern Language Association. Home page. Modern Language Association,
2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2008.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook ForWriters of Research Papers New York: Modern
Language Association, 2003. Print.
Sebranek, Patrick. Writer’s INC. 7th ed. Wilmington, Mass.: Write Source, 2009.
Print.
Intro to MLA Citation
Acknowledgements
 This slideshow is adapted from one produced by the Writing
Center at Minot State University (ND)
“MLA Workshop Presentation.” Minot State University Writing
bbbCenter. 2008? Web. 7 Oct. 2008. <www.minotstateu.edu
bbb/writingcenter/pdf/MLA_Workshop_Presentation.ppt>