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MLA Referencing Guide: Home

This libguide provides basic description and overview on how to cite sources using MLA citation format.

Introduction

This LibGuide provides a basic description and overview of using MLA citation style.

For more detailed guidelines on how to cite sources using MLA, please refer to the MLA Handbook or this related LibGuide. 

The Basics: in-Text Citation and Reference List

The in-text citation allows you to give credit to the source of the idea that you used in the body of your paper. MLA Manual uses parenthetical notation to identify the source and the specific location:

  • Put the author's surname and page number in an enclosed parenthesis after the sentence

      Behavior analysis is necessary for society because "almost all major problems involve human behavior" (Skinner 24).

  • The author's last name appears as part of the sentence and the page number will be at the end of the sentence enclosed in parenthesis

      According to B.F. Skinner, behavior analysis is necessary for society because "almost all major problems involve human behavior" (24).

 

The Reference citation is the list of sources you cited in your paper. MLA Manual suggests using the term Works Cited for the list. 

Works Cited

Skinner, B.F. Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Alfred A. Knopf, 1971, p. 24.

Basic Elements of Citation

Citations consist of standard elements, and contain all the information necessary to identify and track down publications, including:

  • Author 
  • Article Title 
  • Source Title 
  • Volume and issue 
  • Publication Date 
  • Page numbers
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