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MLA Citation Tutorials

MLA Citations

 

Yes. Citations are important.

  • Citations give credit to the work of others and add credibility to your work.
  • Citations also provide information so that others can find your sources.
  • Use the format so that the information is clear and concise.

But how do I write them? 😭

  • Copy
    • Most databases and reference ebooks have citations.
    • Copy those. 
    • Double-check and make sure they are correct. 
  • Use a citation generator
    • My favorite is Google Docs but use whatever you want. 
    • Make sure you include the correct information
    • Double-check 
  • Write it from scratch
    • Author. “Title of article.” Title of Source, Supplemental contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location. Name of database*, URL. Date Accessed.
    • Yeah, it’s a lot. 
    • Use the examples linked here.
    • You can also ask me or visit Purdue OWL for extra help.

       

How to format the works cited page

  • Alphabetical (first word of citation)
  • Double spaced
  • Hanging indent
    • Open your doc in Safari rather than the Docs app. 
    • Highlight all of your citations
    • Format → Align & Indent → Indentation Options
    • Special Indent → Hanging → 0.5 inches

How to write in-text citations

  • Connect the information in your research to your citation list
  • Author’s last name and page number (Bredberg 82)
  • No page numbers, skip it. (Bredberg)
  • Corporate author, use that instead (SHS Media Center 82)
  • No author, use the first noun phrase in the citation (“Why mystery fiction”)

     

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)