The MLA Handbook 9th edition offers guidance on creating works-cited-list entries in MLA style. It also features advice on punctuation, grammar, formatting research papers, and in-text citations.
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Examples below provide an introduction to in-text citation:
- Basic Format (Author-Page Style)
- Author's Name in Text
- Author's Name in Parentheses
- No Author (Cite by Title)
- Two Authors
- Three or More Authors
- Part of a Work
- No Page Number
- Indirect Sources
Basic Format (Author-page Style)
In addition to having a works cited list at the end of your paper, you must give credit to sources that you use within your paper. Usually the author’s last name and page number are enough for the reader to identify the source in the works cited. The citation appears in your text or at the end of a sentence.
Author's Name in Text
If you cite the author’s name in your sentence, cite only page numbers in parentheses at the end of the sentence. The first time you mention the author, include the first and last name. After that, list only the last name.
Patrick Smith has compared these authors (203-05).
Works Cited
Smith, Patrick A. Tim O'Brien: A Critical Companion. Greenwood P, 2005.
Author's Name in Parentheses
If you do not cite the author's name in your paper, then include both the author's last name and page numbers in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
These authors have been compared elsewhere (Smith 203-05).
Works Cited
Smith, Patrick A. Tim O'Brien: A Critical Companion. Greenwood P, 2005.
No Author (Cite by Title)
When there is no author listed for a work, include the first few words of the title followed by the page numbers, if available, in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Italicize longer works, such as book titles, plays, or entire websites. Put shorter works in quotation marks.
Works Cited
"Liquor Advertising Gag is Hard to Swallow." National Post, 19 Dec. 2001, p. A17. ProQuest Central, https://search-proquest.com.lcc.idm.oclc.org/docview/329783841?accountid=1599.
Citing Two Authors
Author's name in text
Include both authors’ first and last names with “and” between the names. The first time you mention the authors, include the first and last names. After that, list only the last names.
Author's name in parentheses
Works Cited
Kraus, Richard, and Sarah Hilsendager. History of Dance in Education. Prentice, 1991.
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Citing Three or More Authors
Author's name in text
If the source has three or more authors, cite the first author's name followed by "and colleagues" or "and others." You may also list all of the names.
Author's name in parentheses
If the source has three or more authors, cite the first author's name followed by et al
Works Cited
Chiras, Daniel, et al. Natural Resource Conservation: Management for a Sustainable Future. Pearson, 2004.
Citing Part of a Work
Research databases provide access to articles in two different formats:
- PDF is an exact copy of the article as it appears in the magazine or journal and includes page numbers
- HTML is the format for online reading and does not include page numbers
If available, use the PDF version because it includes page numbers.
Page numbers
When you quote or paraphrase a specific part of a print or online source with page numbers, give the relevant page numbers in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Works Cited
Brown, D. C. (2003). "No Time for Time Management? Behavioral Agencies have Several Options for Improving Staff Efficiency." Behavioral Healthcare Tomorrow, vol. 12, no. 6, 2003, p. 27-30. General OneFile, link.galegroup.com.lcc.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A111934133/AONE?u=lom_lansingcc&sid=AONE&xid=76a2677a.
Without page numbers
When you quote or paraphrase a specific passage in an online source without page numbers, no page numbers are needed.
Works Cited
Jones, Sherry Everett et al. "Binge Drinking among Undergraduate College Students in the United States: Implications for Other Substance Use." Journal of American College Health, vol. 50, no. 1, 2001, p. 33-38. ProQuest Central, search-proquest-com.lcc.idm.oclc.org/docview/213065738?accountid=1599.
Citing Indirect Sources
Whenever possible, use original source material, not an indirect source. If you must use an indirect source, create a Works Cited entry for the source that you actually read. In either the text of your paper or the in-text citation, refer to both the source you read and the source it mentions.
In the example below, you read an article by Sneed et al. that refers to an article by Bonnanno.
In your in-text citation, use qtd. for "quoted in."
Works Cited
Sneed, Rodlescia S., et al. "Behavioral Health Concerns During the Flint Water Crisis, 2016–2018." Community Mental Health Journal, vol. 56, no. 5, 2020, pp. 793-803. ProQuest, dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00520-7
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