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MLA Citation Tutorials: Text from slides

MLA 8 Citation Tutorials

MLA 8 Citation Tutorials

 

This page is the same as the home page to this site. But all of the text is written out rather than in slides.

We cite our sources to give credit to the original authors, but to also add credibility to our own research. The more credible our cited resources are, the more credible our research is. 

The format of citations follow a specific grammar that condenses important information about a publication or source without ambiguity. This format, while sometimes frustrating, makes it possible for others to find your resources without unnecessary difficulties. 

 

MLA 8 Format

Basic MLA 8 Format

Author. "Title of Article." Title of source, Number, Publisher, Date Published, Location (URL or Page Numbers). Date Accessed.

  • You may skip Author and Date Published if unavailable.
  • Skip "Title of Article" if you are using a website or book in its entirety.
  • Number refers to the volume or issue number common with periodicals. Many print encyclopedias have a volume number.
  • Skip Publisher if it is the same as Title of Source (such as a news organization like CNN).
  • Location may be skipped if you are using the entirety of a print source.
  • For online sources the URL should NOT be underlined and omit http://.
  • For Page Numbers use p. for a single page and pp. for multiple pages.
  • The dates for Date Published and Date Accessed are inverted, Day Month Year (11 April 2021).

 

MLA 8 Format For Article Databases

Author. "Title of Article." Title of source, Number, Publisher, Date Published, Page Number, Database Name, URL. Date Accessed.

  • Use this format for databases with articles from other publications, like JSTOR and Gale. 
  • Database citations are typically available on the database, but you are responsible for making sure it is in the correct format. 
  • Do not underline the URL.
     

MLA 8 Examples

Print Book

Cohen, Jon. Shots in the Dark. W. W. Norton & Company, 2001.

 

Print Encyclopedia

Nichols, Roy F, et al. “Election of 1856.” History of American Presidential Elections, edited by Arthur M. Schlesinger, vol. 3. Chelsea House      Publishers, 2002, pp. 1007 - 63. 

 

Article Database
(Such as Gale and JSTOR)

"Cesar Chavez." Newsmakers, Gale, 1993. Gale In Context: U.S. History, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1618000376/UHIC?u=mlin_c_shrewhs&sid=bookmark-UHIC&xid=0afd951d. Accessed 28 Oct. 2021.

 

Works Cited Page

  • Use a hanging indent on your works cited page (second line and beyond are indented). Tutorials are available to the right.
  • Each source is listed separately and arranged alphabetically by the author's last name. Start with the title when there is no author.
  • Citations should be double spaced.
     

Why do we cite?

Why do we have to cite?

  • To give credit where credit is due (and avoid plagiarism)
  • To give credibility to your work. (The better your sources are, the more credible your research is)
  • So others can also follow and find your research

Well, why do we have to format it?

  • The format of citations condenses specific information about publication.
  • Without the specific format, this information may be unclear.
  • This is the same reason we follow grammar rules when writing.
     

More Tutorials and Citation Guides

More resources and tutorials for MLA

 

Resources for APA Citations

Basic format: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date). Title of the work. Source where you can retrieve the work. URL or DOI if available

(From CSUDH University Library)