Alphabetize entries in the list of works cited by authors’ last names (if a work has no author, alphabetize it by its title). The author’s name is important because citations in the text of the paper refer to it and readers will be looking for it at the beginning of an entry in the alphabetized list.
Name cited in text
According to Nancy Flynn, . . .
Beginning of works cited entry
Flynn, Nancy.
What comes after this first element of your citation will depend on the kind of source you are citing.
For variations in types and numbers of authors, click the following links or browse the directory to MLA works cited models.
Single author
Two or three authors
Four or more authors
Corporate author
Unknown author
Two or more works by the same author
Exercise: MLA documentation: identifying elements of sources
Exercise: MLA documentation: Works cited 1
Exercise: MLA documentation: Works cited 2
Exercise: MLA documentation: Works cited 3
Exercise: MLA documentation