MLA Works Cited

General Guidelines

• Page Set Up - The Works Cited page should be double-spaced and entries should have a hanging indent. Learn how to create a hanging indent. Center the words Works Cited at the top of the page. Recommended fonts: Times New Roman (12 pt.) and Courier (12 pt.).
• Organizing Sources - Alphabetize sources by the last name of the first author. Alphabetize sources with no author by the first significant word in the title.
• Titles - Capitalize all words in titles except prepositions, conjunctions, and articles, unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle, e.g. Brown v. Board: A Dream Deferred. Italicize the titles of longer works (books, magazines, journals) and put quotes around the titles of shorter works (articles, poems).
• Abbreviations - Common abbreviations include p. for page, pp. for pages, U for University (Purdue U), UP for University Press (for example, Yale UP), P for Press (for example, U of California P).
• Authors - For three or more authors, list only the first author's name and add et al. in place of the other authors' names. Et al. stands for "and others" in Latin. 

Books

Book by one author

Examples

Weart, Spencer R. The Discovery of Global Warming. Harvard UP, 2003.

Wilkerson, Isabel. Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Random House, 2020.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Name of Publisher, year of publication.

Book by two authors

Examples

Cowan, Ruth Schwartz, and Matthew H. Hersch. A Social History of American Technology. Oxford UP, 2018.

Mann, Jeff, and Julia Watts. LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia. West Virginia UP, 2018.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. Title of Book. Name of Publisher, year of publication.

Book by more than two authors

For three or more authors, list only the first author's name and add et al. in place of the other authors' names. Et al. stands for "and others" in Latin. 

Example

May, David A., et al. Identity Theft. Lang, 2004.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name, et al. Title of Book. Name of Publisher, year of publication.

Book with an editor or translator

Examples

Murray, John A., editor. American Nature Writing. Fulcrum Publishing, 2001.

Murakami, Haruki. First Person Singular: Stories. Translated by Phillip Gabriel, Vintage, 2021.

Parts of Citation with no Author

Editor's Last Name, First Name, editor. Title of Book. Name of Publisher, Publication date.

Parts of Citation with Author

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Edited by Editor's Name, translated by Translator's Name, Name of Publisher, Publication date.

Republished essay, with original publication information

Example

Kaye, Julian B. "The Wings of Daedalus: Two Stories in 'Dubliners'." Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism, edited by Paula Kepos, vol. 25, Gale, 1990, pp. 155-59. Originally published in Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 4, no. 1, 1958, pp. 31-41.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Book Title, edited by Editor's Name, vol. number, Name of Publisher, Publication date, page range. Originally published in Original Publication Title, vol. number, no. issue, Publication year, page range.

Original article or chapter in an edited book

Examples

Traylor, Eleanor W. "Women Writers of the Black Arts Movement." The Cambridge Companion to African American Women's Literature, edited by Angelyn Mitchell, Cambridge University Press, 2009, pp. 50-70. ProQuest, https://lcc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/books/women-writers-black-arts-movement/docview/2137998893/se-2?accountid=1599.

Goldberg, Vicki. "Death Takes a Holiday, Sort of." Why We Watch: The Attractions of Violent Entertainment, edited by Jeffrey Goldstein, Oxford UP, 1998, pp. 27-52.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Book Title, edited by Editor's name, Publisher, Publication year, page range. Database Name, URL.

E-Book published online

Example

Atkinson, Alan. Camden. Oxford UP, 1988. ACLS Humanities E-Book, hdl.handle.net.idm. oclc.org/2027/heb.03356.0001.001.

Thick, Matthew R. The Great Water: A Documentary History of Michigan. Michigan State UP, 2018. ProQuest eBook Central, ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/lansing/?docID=516.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Publication year. Database Name, URL.

Dictionary entry or encyclopedia article

Examples

Holten, Brigitte. "Brazilian Anti-Slavery Society." Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, edited by Junius P. Rodriguez, 1997.

"John Robert Lewis." Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, Gale, 2021. Gale In Context: World History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1631003942/WHIC?u=lom_lansingcc&sid=bookmark-WHIC&xid=1173c169. 

Levy, Alan. "Symphony Orchestras." Dictionary of American History, edited by Stanley I. Kutler, 3rd ed., vol. 8, 2003, pp. 38-39. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3401804111/GVRL?u=lom_lansingcc&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=93220ca2.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Book Title, edited by Editor's Name, Edition, vol. number, Publication Year, page range. Database Name, URL.

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Articles

Journal article

Examples

Elenes, Briseida Ileana. “Unveiling Latina Community College Leadership Pathways through Testimonio.” New Directions for Community Colleges, vol. 2020, no. 190, summer 2020, pp. 115–127. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.20391. 

Lerner, Richard M. “Character Development: Four Facets.of Virtues.” Child Development Perspectives, vol. 13, no. 2, June 2019, pp. 79–84. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12315. 

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, https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00520-7.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. number, no. issue number, Publication year, page range. Database Name, DOI or URL.

Newspaper article

Examples

Newell, Julie. “Foundation Receives Record Donation.” The Lookout, 16 Dec. 2021. web.lcc.edu/lookout/2021/12/16/foundation-receives-record-donation.

Peterson, Scott. "Asia Hungry for Nuclear Power." Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2004, p. 6.

Stockman, Farah. “How Colleges Are Trying to Tap Students’ Voting Power.” New York Times, 3 Mar. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/03/03/us/students-voter-turnout.html. 

Trevisani, Paulo. "Brazil Truck Driver's Strike Over Fuel Prices." Wall Street Journal, 22 May 2018. ProQuest Central, search-proquest-com.lcc.idm.oclc.org/docview/2042311343?accountid=1599.

Worsham, Taylor. "New Soo Lock Development Makes Steady Progress." Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2021, p. A6. ProQuest, lcc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=/docview/2554664142/=1599.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Newspaper Title, Publication Day Month Year, page range. Database Name, URL.

Magazine article

Examples

Cose, Ellis. "Brown v. Board: A Dream Deferred." Newsweek, 17 May 2004, pp. 52-59.

"The Methane Mystery: Climate Change." The Economist, 28 April 2018, p. 72. General OneFile, link.galegroup.com.lcc.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A536297876/ITOF?u=lom_lansingcc&sid=ITOF&xid=014f5dbb.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Magazine Title, Day Month Year, page range. Database Name, URL.

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Websites

Page or document from a website

If the source has no publication date, include access date. For three or more authors, list only the first author's name and add et al.

Examples

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 12 Apr. 2019, www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm

Hopson, Krista. "Mott Children's Hospital Ranked Top Children's Hospital in State by Child's Magazine." The University Record Online, 15 Jan. 2007, ur.umichedu/0607/Jan15_07/10.shtml.

Kane, E. "Dendroica Kirtlandii." Animal Diversity Web, 1999. animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dendroica_kirtlandii.

Lewis, Camara. "Over 62,000 Accepted for Michigan Reconnect Scholarships in First Six Weeks.” Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, 15 Mar. 2021, michigan.gov/leo/0,5.html.

Mackinac State Historic Parks. "Native American Cultural History Trail." Mackinac Historic Parks, mackinacparks.com/native-american-cultural-history-trail. Accessed 25 July 2021.

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Page Title." Website Title, Publication Date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

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Government Sources

Government publication

If there is no publication date, add access date. United States government documents are typically published by the Government Printing Office.

Example

United States, Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Creative Partnerships: Supporting Youth, Building Communities. Government Printing Office, 2002. ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0046pub.pdf. Accessed 24 May 2017.

Parts of Citation

Author Last Name, First Name. Name of Government, Name of Agency. Publication Title. Publisher, Date of Publication. URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

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Multimedia

Photograph online

If photograph has no creation date, add access date.

Examples

Munoz, Juan Carlos. Picture of red panda in a tree. World Wildlife Fund, worldwildlife.org/species/red-panda. Accessed 28 July 2021. 

Ocampo, Michael. Beans and Bacon. 24 Nov. 2011. Flickr, flickr.com/photos/coolmikeol/6632181545. 

Parts of Citation

Image Creator's Last Name, First Name. Title of Image or description of image if no title. Date of creation Day Month Year. Database or Website Name, URL. Date of access.

Photograph on social media

Examples

Ingells, Norris. [@MIHistoryCenter]. Dragonfly. Twitter, 4 June 2021, twitter.com/mihistorycenter/status/1390717774830448642?s=21. 

Lansing Community College [@lccstars]. Photo of LCC Library. Instagram, 12 July 2021, instagram.com/p/CROqciuLHQc. 

Parts of Citation

Image Creator’s Last Name, First Name.  [social media handle if different from account name]. Title of Image or description if no title. Social Media Platform, Date of post Day Month Year, URL.  

Artwork online

If image has no creation date, add access date.

Examples

Blake, William. Urizen as the Creator of the Material World. 1794. Library of Congress, loc.gov/exhibits/world/accounts.html#blake.

Dali, Salvador. The Persistence of Memory. 1931. Museum of Modern Art, New York, moma.org/collection/works/79018.

Wiley, Kehinde. Judith and Holofernes. 2012. Sean Kelly Gallery, Artstor, library-artstor-org.lcc.idm.oclc.org/asset/AWSS35953_35953_35429113.

Parts of Citation

Art Creator's Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date of creation. Institution Where Work is Housed, Database Name, URL. Date of access.

Artwork in a book

Example

Blessing of the Deer Dancer. 1964, Philbrook Museum of Art. Native American Art, by William Ketchum, Jr., National Highlights, 2018, p. 99.

Parts of Citation

Art Creator's Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date of creation, Institution Where Work is Housed. Title of Book, by Author Name, Name of Publisher, Year of Publication, page number.

Video from a database

Example

Snow Monkeys. Directed by Joe Pontecorvo, PBS, 2014. Kanopy, lcc.kanopy.com/video/snow-monkeys.

Parts of Citation

Title of Video. Contributors (director, producer, etc.), Publisher, Date. Database Name, URL.

Video from a sharing site (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

Example

"We Shall Overcome." YouTube, uploaded by LCC Stars, 13 Dec. 2020, youtube.com/watch?v=wrfaFYId8WY.

Parts of Citation

"Title of Video." Site Name, uploaded by Name, Date Uploaded Day Month Year, URL.

Video - From Social Media

Examples

Lansing Community College [@lccstars]. “Pedal with the Prez.” Twitter, 3 Aug. 2021, twitter.com/lccstars/status/1422185066051014656?s=21. 

Smith, Will. “Time for a Little Light Reading.” TikTok, 28 June 2021, vm.tiktok.com/ZMd39kdj7. 

Parts of Citation

Video Creator’s Last Name, First Name [social media handle if different from account name]. “Title of Video.” or description if no title. Name of Social Media Platform, Date of post Day Month Year, URL. 

Podcast

Example

“Information and Media Literacy in 2020.” CU at the Libraries, hosted by Allan Van Hoye, 4 Dec. 2020. University of Colorado Boulder Libraries, soundcloud.com/cu-boulder-libcast/ep-11-information-and-media-literacy-in-2020. 

Parts of Citation

 “Title of Podcast Episode.” Podcast Name, hosted by Host First Name Last Name, Day Month Year. Publisher, URL. 

Speech - Recorded on video

If you refer to the transcript, add Transcript to the end of the citation. 

Example

McArthur, Megan. “A NASA Astronaut's Lessons on Fear, Confidence and Preparing for Spaceflight.” Ted, Nov. 2020, ted.com/talks/megan_mcarthur_a_nasa_astronaut_s_lessons_on_fear_confidence_and_preparing_for_spaceflight. Transcript.

Parts of Citation

Speaker Last Name, First Name. “Title of Speech.” Platform or Website Name, Date of speech, URL. Transcript. 

Speech - Live

Example

Smith, Alice. “Assisting College Students with Citation.” Michigan Academic Library Association Annual Conference, 19 May 2021, Sheraton Hotel, Ann Arbor, MI. 

Parts of Citation

Speaker Last Name, First Name. “Title of Speech.” or description of speech if no title. Title of Event, Date of speech Day Month Year, Place of Speech. 

Interview - Published

Example

Mitchell, Haley and Alex Schneider. “Students Discuss Finals Week Strategies.” Interview by Maddy Warren. The Lookout, Lansing Community College, 5 May 2021, web.lcc.edu/lookout/2021/05/05/students-discuss-finals-week-strategies.  

Parts of Citation

Interviewee Last name, First name. “Interview Title.” Interview by Interviewer’s First Name Last Name. Source Name, Publisher, Day Month Year, page range. URL. 

Interview - Unpublished

Example

Bell, Ellis. Interview. Conducted by Jane Elliott, 4 Dec. 2020. 

Parts of Citation

Interviewee Last name, First name. Interview. Conducted by Interviewer’s First name Last name, Day Month Year.  

Radio broadcasts

If viewing a transcript, list the word Transcript after the date. 

Example

“Pinecrest Elementary School In East Lansing Renamed To Honor Civil Rights Pioneer Dr. Robert L. Green.” WKAR News, hosted by Scott Pohl, WKAR, 10 Aug. 2021. Transcript. 

Parts of Citation

“Title of Episode.” Name of Radio Show, hosted by Host First Name Last Name, Station, Day Month Year of broadcast.  

Music recording - song on a website or music app

If no creation date, add access date.

Examples

Bird, Andrew. "Manifest." My Finest Work Yet, Loma Vista Recordings, 2019. Spotify app.

Beyoncé. "Lovehappy." Everything is Love, Parkwood Entertainment, 2018. www.beyonce.com/album/everything-is-love/songs/

Parts of Citation

Artist's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Song.” Title of Album, Name of Publisher, Year. URL or App Name.

Music recording - song in an album

Example

Franklin, Aretha. “I Say a Little Prayer.” Aretha Now, Atlantic Recording Corp., 1968. Vinyl LP.  

Parts of Citation

Artist's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Song.” Title of Album, Name of Record Company, year released. Format. 

Social media posts

Examples

The Mackinac Bridge & Straits of Mackinac [MightyMac.org]. “M-185, the main road around Mackinac Island….” Facebook, 3 Aug. 2021, facebook.com/210773555600457/posts/4686059704738464/?d=n.

Sykes, Wanda [iamwandasykes]. Photo of Good Trouble vigil. Instagram, 17 July 2021, instagram.com/p/CRbtoHnFRAG/ 

Parts of Citation

Creator of Post Last Name, First Name [social media handle if different from account name]. “Title of Post.” or description if no title. Name of Social Media Platform, Date of post Day Month Year, URL.  

Blog post

Example

O'Hara, Mary Emily. “How Out Olympians Used the Tokyo Games as a Platform for LGBTQ Acceptance.” GLAAD, 10 Aug. 2021, glaad.org/blog/how-out-olympians-used-tokyo-games-platform-lgbtq-acceptance. 

Parts of Citation

Blog Creator’s Last name, First name. “Title of Post.” Name of Site, Date of post Day Month Year, URL.  

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Classroom Materials

Open educational resources (OER)

Cite an OER as you would any other work.

Example

McCormick, Cheryl, et al. Writing for College: Introduction to College Writing with Grammar Skills Review. Creative Commons, 1 Dec 2019, pb.openlcc.net/writingforcollege. 

Parts of Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Work. Name of Publisher, year of publication, URL.   

Classroom materials in course managent system

Example

“Slides: The Contribution of LGBTQ+ Poets to American Literature.” Composition II, taught by Charlotte Smith. D2L, Lansing Community College, 20 Sept. 2021, d2l.lcc.edu/d2l/engl122/5678/view. 

Parts of Citation

“Title or Description of Material.” Course Name, taught by Instructor’s First Name Last Name. Name of Course Management System, Institution, Day Month Year, URL. 

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Generative AI

ChatGPT

The Modern Language Association (MLA) recommends citing ChatGPT by the prompt title. It affirms that generative AI is a tool and should not be treated as an author. See the MLA article on Generative AI for more information on the example below, as well as more examples of citing generative AI.

Example

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat. 

Parts of Citation

"Title of prompt" prompt. Title of AI Tool, Date version, Company Name, Day Month Year, URL.   

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