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Citations & Plagiarism: MLA Format Basics

MLA In-Text Citation Basics & Examples

MLA In-Text Resources & Examples

The work of others is often referred to by using parenthetical citations which includes relevant source information. All of the source information is entered in parentheses at the end of the sentence just before the period. There are situations where the parenthetical citations will be used elsewhere in the sentence, or even excluded.

Information in a parenthetical citation depends on the format of the source (print, web, etc.), and on the source’s entry on the Works Cited page. Source information provided in-text must be included on the Works Cited page.

Short quotations: quotations that consist of four (or fewer) typed lines of prose, or three lines of verse. For short in-text quotations enclose the quotation in double quotation marks. Provide the author, and page numbers that the quotation falls on in the in-text citation, and include the complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks should appear after the parenthetical citation. Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted entry, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your own text.

Long quotations: Quotations longer than four typed lines are placed in a free-standing block of typed lines without quotation marks. The quotation begins on a new line, indented one inch from the left margin, with double-spaced lines throughout.

MLA Works Cited Page Basics

MLA Works Cited Resources & Examples

The Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of the research paper. It is formatted one-inch margins and includes last name, and page number header. The page is labeled Works Cited, without italicization or quotation marks, and is centered at the top of the page. Citation entries are aligned with the left margin and double spaced. Citations are indented on the second and any additional lines of citations by 0.5 inches.

The abbreviation “p.” is used (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages). Page numbers on the Works Cited page are written as pp. 325-50 rather then 325-350.

An article found online that was originally issued in print form should include the online database name in italics. When using online sources supply a DOI in your citation or use an URL. The DOI or URL is the last element in an online citation, followed by a period.

All works cited entries end with a period. Each word is capitalized in the title except articles (an, the), prepositions, or conjunctions unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle. Use italics for titles of larger works and quotation marks for titles of shorter works.

Works cited entries are listed alphabetically by the author's last name. Author names are written with the last name first, first name, and the middle name or initial. Titles or degrees are not included, but suffixes are. If more than one work by an author is included, the entries are alphabetized by title, and three hyphens are used in place of the author's name for every additional entry after the first.  

MLA General Guidelines

Formatting Paper

Paper should be typed on a computer and printed out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.

Double-space the text of your paper and use a legible font. Font size should be 12 pt.

Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.

Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.

The first line of each paragraph is indented one half-inch from the left margin.

A header should be used that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

Use italics throughout paper to indicate the titles of longer works.