MLA Documentation and Format

Chapter Opener

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cite in MLA

MLA Documentation and Format

The style of the Modern Language Association (MLA) is used in many humanities disciplines. For complete details about MLA style, consult the MLA Handbook, 8th ed. (2016). The basic details for documenting sources and formatting research papers in MLA style are presented below.

Document sources according to convention. When you use sources in a research paper, you are required to cite the source, letting readers know that the information has been borrowed from somewhere else and showing them how to find the original material if they would like to study it further. An MLA-style citation includes two parts: a brief in-text citation and a more detailed works cited entry to be included in a list at the end of your paper.

In-text citations must include the author’s name as well as the number of the page where the borrowed material can be found. The author’s name (shaded in orange) is generally included in the signal phrase that introduces the passage, and the page number (shaded in yellow) is included in parentheses after the borrowed text.

Frazier points out that the Wetherill-sponsored expedition to explore Chaco Canyon was roundly criticized (43).

Alternatively, the author’s name can be included in parentheses along with the page number.

The Wetherill-sponsored expedition to explore Chaco Canyon was roundly criticized (Frazier 43).

At the end of the paper, in the works cited list, a more detailed citation includes the author’s name as well as the title (shaded in green) and publication information about the source (shaded in blue).

Frazier, Kendrick. People of Chaco: A Canyon and Its Culture. Revised ed., W. W. Norton, 1999.

Both in-text citations and works cited entries can vary greatly depending on the type of source cited (book, periodical, Web site, etc.). The following pages give specific examples of how to cite a wide range of sources in MLA style.