A list of works cited is an alphabetical list of the sources you have referred to in your essay. (If your instructor asks you to list everything you have read as background, call the list Works Consulted.) You begin the works-cited list on a separate page or slide after the text of your project and any notes, under the centered heading Works Cited (not italicized or in quotation marks).

Guidelines for author listings

The list of works cited is arranged alphabetically. The in-text citations in your writing point readers toward particular sources on the list (32c).

Models 1–6 explain how to arrange author names. The information that follows the name depends on the type of work you are citing—a print book (models 7–28); a print periodical (models 29–36); a written text from a digital source, such as an article from a Web site or database (models 37–54); sources from art, film, comics, or other media, including live performances (models 55–77); and academic, government, and legal sources (models 78–85). Consult the model that most closely resembles the source you are using.

1. One author Put the last name first, followed by a comma, the first name (and initial, if any), and a period.

2. Multiple authors For two authors, list the first author’s last name first (see model 1). Follow this with a comma, the word and, and the name of the second author with the first name first.

For three or more authors, list the first author followed by a comma and et al. (“and others”).

3. Organization or group author Give the name of the group, government agency, corporation, or other organization listed as the author.

4. Unknown author When the author is not identified, begin the entry with the title, and alphabetize by the first important word. Italicize titles of books and long works, but put titles of articles and other short works in quotation marks.

5. Author using a pseudonym (pen name) or screen name Give the author’s name as it appears in the source, followed by the real name in parentheses. If you don’t know the author’s real name, use only the pseudonym or screen name.

6. Two or more works by the same author Arrange the entries alphabetically by title. Include the author’s name in the first entry, but in subsequent entries, use three hyphens followed by a period. (For the basic format for citing a book, see model 7. For the basic format for citing an article from an online newspaper, see model 40.)

Note: Use three hyphens only when the work is by exactly the same author(s) as the previous entry.

Print books

Directory to MLA-style works-cited entries

7. Basic format for a book Begin with the author name(s). (See models 1–6.) Then include the title and subtitle, the publisher, and the publication year. The source map shows where to find this information in a typical book.

Note: Place a period and a space after the name, title, and date. Place a comma after the publisher, and in the publisher’s name, omit Co. or Inc., and abbreviate University and Press to U and P.

8. Author and editor both named

To cite the editor’s contribution instead, begin the entry with the editor’s name.

9. Editor, no author named

10. Anthology Cite an entire anthology the same way you would cite a book with an editor and no named author (see model 9).

11. Work in an anthology or chapter in a book with an editor List the author(s) of the selection; the selection title, in quotation marks; the title of the book, italicized; the words edited by and the name(s) of the editor(s); publication information; and the abbreviation pp. with the selection's page numbers.

Note: To provide original publication information for a reprinted selection, use the original publication information as a second container:

12. Two or more items from the same anthology List the anthology as one entry (see model 10). Also list each of the selections separately with a cross-reference to the anthology.

13. Translation

14. Book with both translator and editor List the editor’s and translator’s names after the title, in the order they appear on the title page.

15. Translation of a section of a book If different translators have worked on various parts of the book, identify the translator of the part you are citing.

16. Translation of a book by an unknown author Place the title first unless you wish to emphasize the translator’s work.

17. Book in a language other than English Include a translation of the title in brackets, if necessary.

18. Graphic narrative If the words and images are created by the same person, cite a graphic narrative just as you would a book (model 7).

If the work is a collaboration, indicate the author or illustrator who is most important to your research before the title of the work. List other contributors after the title, in the order of their appearance on the title page. Label each person’s contribution to the work.

19. Edition other than the first

20. One volume of a multivolume work Give the number of the volume cited after the title. Including the total number of volumes after the publication date is optional.

21. More than one volume of a multivolume work

22. Preface, foreword, introduction, or afterword Following the writer’s name, describe the contribution. After the title, indicate the book’s author (with by) or editor (with edited by.).

23. Entry in a reference book For a well-known encyclopedia, note the edition (if identified) and year of publication. If the entries are alphabetized, omit publication information and page number.

24. Book that is part of a series After the date, cite the series name (and number, if any) from the title page.

25. Republication (modern edition of an older book) Indicate the original publication date after the title.

26. Publisher’s imprint If the title page gives two publishers’ names, separate them with a slash. Include spaces on both sides of the slash.

27. Book with a title within the title Do not italicize a book title within a title. For an article title within a title, italicize as usual and place the article title in quotation marks.

28. Sacred text To cite any individual published editions of sacred books, begin the entry with the title.

Articles and short works in print periodicals

Directory to MLA-style works-cited entries

Begin with the author name(s). (See models 1–6.) Then include the article title, the title of the periodical, the date or volume information, and the page numbers.. The source map shows where to find this information in a sample periodical.

29. Article in a print journal Follow the journal title with the volume number, a period, the issue number (if given), and the year (in parentheses).

30. Article in a print magazine Provide the date from the magazine cover, and do not include volume or issue numbers.

31. Article in a print newspaper Include the edition (if listed) and the section number or letter (if listed).

Note: For locally published newspapers, add the city in brackets after the name if it is not part of the name: Globe and Mail [Toronto].

32. Editorial in a print periodical Include the writer’s name, if given, and the title, if any, followed by the label Editorial.

33. Letter to the editor of a print periodical Include the writer’s name, if given, and the title, if any, followed by the label Letter. Provide relevant information for the type of source (journal, magazine, newspaper).

34. Review in a print periodical Include the writer’s name and the title of the review. If no title is given, write Review of and the title of the work under review, without italics or quotation marks.

35. Interview in a print periodical List the person interviewed as the author, the title of the interview (if any), and the label Interview, along with the interviewer’s name, if relevant and not already stated.

36. Unsigned article in a print periodical

Digital written-word sources

Directory to MLA-style works-cited entries

Digital sources such as Web sites differ from print sources in the ease with which they can be changed, updated, or eliminated. In addition, the various digital media do not organize their works the same way. The most commonly cited digital sources are documents from Web sites and databases.

37. Work from an online database The basic format for citing a work from a database appears in the source map.

For a periodical article that is available in print but that you access in an online database through a library subscription service, begin with the author’s name (if given); the title of the work, in quotation marks; the title of the periodical, italicized; and the volume/issue and date of the print version of the work (see models 29–36). Next include the page numbers from the print version. Then give the name of the online database, italicized; and a DOI or permalink for the article; if neither is available, give the URL of the database home page, omitting the protocol (http://).

38. Article from a journal on the Web Begin an entry for an online journal article as you would one for a print journal article (see model 29). End with the online location (permalink, DOI, or URL) and a period.

39. Article from a magazine on the Web List the author, article title, and name of the magazine. Then identify the date of publication, and provide a permalink or DOI, if one is available, or a URL.

40. Article from a newspaper on the Web After the name of the newspaper, give the publication date and the permalink (if you can find one) or URL.

41. Digital book (online or e-reader) Provide information as for a print book (see models 7–28); then give the digital container title and any other relevant information, including the location.

If you read the book on an e-reader such as a Kindle or Nook, the medium should specify the type of reader file you used.

42. Part of a digital book Cite as you would a part of a print book (see models 11 and 22) for the first container. For the second container, give the title, the date, and the DOI, permalink, or URL.

43. Online poem Include the poet’s name, the title of the poem, and the print publication information (if any) for the first container. For the second container, give the title, the date, and the DOI, permalink, or URL.

44. Online editorial or letter to the editor Include the author’s name (if given) and the title (if any). Follow the appropriate model for the type of source you are using. (Check the directory.) End with the label Editorial or Letter.

45. Online review Cite an online review as you would a print review (see model 34). End with the name of the website, the date of publication, and the URL or permalink.

46. Short work from a Web site For basic information for citing a work on a Web site that is not part of a regularly published journal, magazine, or newspaper, see the source map. Include all of the following elements that are available: the author; the title of the document, in quotation marks; the name of the Web site, italicized; the name of the publisher or sponsor (if the name is different from the name of the site); the date of publication; and the location. If the site gives no date, end with Accessed and your date of access.

47. Entire Web site Follow the guidelines for a specific work from the Web, beginning with the name of the author or editor (if any), followed by the title of the Web site, italicized; the name of the sponsor or publisher (if different from the name of the site; otherwise, omit the sponsor or publisher); the date of publication or last update; and the location.

For a personal Web site, include the name of the person who created the site; the title, in quotation marks if it is part of a larger work or italicized if it is not, or (if there is no title) a description such as Home page, not italicized; the name of the larger site, if different from the personal site’s title; the publisher or sponsor of the site (if different from the site title); the date; and the URL. If the site is undated, end with your date of access.

48. Entry in an online reference work or wiki Begin with the title unless the author is named. (A wiki, which is collectively edited, will not include an author.) Treat an online reference entry as you would a work from a Web site (see model 46). Include the title of the entry; the name of the work, italicized; the sponsor or publisher (if not already named); the date of the latest update; and the location (permalink or URL). Before using a wiki as a source, check with your instructor.

49. Academic course or department Web site For a course site, include the name of the instructor, the title of the course, the title of the site in italics, the date, and the location (URL).

For a department website, give the department name, the description Department home page, the institution (in italics), the date, and the URL. If the site is undated, end with your access date.

50. Blog For an entire blog, give the author’s name, if any; the title of the blog, italicized; the sponsor or publisher of the blog (if any); the date; and the URL. If the site is undated, end with your access date.

Note: To cite a blogger who writes under a pseudonym, begin with the pseudonym and then put the writer’s real name (if you know it) in parentheses. (See model 5)

51. Post or comment on a blog or discussion group Give the author’s name; the title of the post, in quotation marks; the title of the site, italicized; the date of the post; and the URL.

For a comment on an online post, give the writer’s name or screen name (see model 5); a label such as Comment on, not italicized; the title of the article commented on, in quotation marks; and the label by and the article author’s name. End with the citation information for original article and the URL for the comment.

52. Tweet Begin with the writer’s Twitter handle, and put the real name, if known, in parentheses. Include the entire tweet, in quotation marks. Give the site name in italics (Twitter), the date and time of the message, and the URL for the tweet.

53. Posting on a social networking site To cite a posting on Facebook, Instagram, or another social networking site, include the writer’s name; up to 140 characters of the posting, in quotation marks (or a description such as Photograph, not italicized and not in quotation marks, if no text appears); the name of the site, italicized; the date of the post; and the location of the post (URL).

54. Email or message Include the writer’s name; the subject line, in quotation marks, if one is provided, or a descriptive label such as Text message; Received by (not italicized or in quotation marks) followed by the recipient’s name; and the date of the message.

Visual, audio, multimedia, and live sources

Directory to MLA-style works-cited entries

55. Film (theatrical, DVD, or other format) If you cite a particular person’s work, start with that name. If not, start with the title of the film; then name the director, distributor, and year of release. Other contributors, such as writers or performers, may follow the director. If you cite a feature found only on a disc, treat the film as the first “container” and the disc as the second “container."

56. Short online video Cite an online video as you would a work from a Web site (see model 46).

57. Television broadcast Begin with the title of the program, italicized (for an entire series) or the title of the episode, in quotation marks. Then list important contributors (narrator, writer, director, actors); the network; and the broadcast date(s). To cite a particular person’s work, begin with that name. When citing an entire series, give inclusive dates.

58. Television on the Web For a show accessed on a network Web site, begin as for a television broadcast (model 57). After the network, include the date of posting and the URL.

59. Radio broadcast If you are citing a particular episode or segment, begin with the title, in quotation marks. Then give the program title in italics. List important contributors (narrator, writer, director, actors); the network or the local station, if the show appeared locally; and the broadcast date(s). To cite a particular person’s work, begin with that name.

60. Radio on the Web For a show or segment accessed on the Web, begin as for a radio broadcast (model 59). After the network, include the date of posting and the URL.

61. Television or radio interview List the person interviewed and then the title, if any. If the interview has no title, use the label Interview and name the interviewer, if relevant. Then identify the source. End with information about the program and the date(s) the interview took place.

Note: If you found an archived version of a television or radio interview online, provide the site’s sponsor (if known), the date of the interview, and the location (URL or permalink).

62. Online interview Start with the name of the person interviewed. Give the title or the label Interview and the interviewer (if named). In the second “container,” include the title of the site, the sponsor or publisher (if there is one), the date of publication, and the URL.

63. Personal interview List the person interviewed; the label Telephone interview, Personal interview, or E-mail interview; and the date the interview took place.

64. Sound recording List the name of the person or group you wish to emphasize (such as the composer, conductor, or band); the title of the recording or composition; the artist, if appropriate; the manufacturer; and the year of issue. If you are citing a particular song or selection, include its title, in quotation marks, before the title of the recording.

Note: If you are citing instrumental music that is identified only by form, number, and key, do not underline, italicize, or enclose it in quotation marks.

65. Musical composition When you are not citing a specific published version, first give the composer’s name, followed by the title.

66. Published score Cite a published score as you would a book. If you include the date the composition was written, do so immediately after the title.

67. Video game Start with the developer or author (if any). After the title, give the version (Vers.), if given, then the distributor, and the date of publication.

Note: If you play the game on the Web, give the name of the site, the medium Web, and the date after the game publication information.

68. Computer software or app Cite as a video game (see model 67), giving the available information about the version, distributor, and date.

69. Lecture or speech (live) List the speaker; the title, in quotation marks; the sponsoring institution or group; the place; and the date. Add the label Lecture or Speech after the date if readers will not otherwise be able to identify the work.

70. Lecture or speech on the Web Cite as you would a short work from a Web site (model 46).

71. Live performance List the title, the appropriate names (such as the writer or performer), the place, and the date. To cite a particular person’s work, begin the entry with that name.

72. Podcast (streaming) Cite a podcast that you view or listen to online as a short work from a Web site (model 46).

73. Downloaded digital file A citation for a file that you can download—one that exists independently, not only on a Web site—begins with citation information required for the type of source (a photograph or sound recording, for example).

74. Work of art or photograph List the artist’s or photographer’s name; the work’s title, italicized; and the date of composition. Then cite the name of the museum or other location and the city. To cite a reproduction in a book, add the publication information (see the second model below). To cite artwork found online, after the location, add the title of the database or website, italicized, and the URL or permalink.

75. Map or chart Cite a map or chart as you would a book or a short work within a longer work. For an online source, include the location. End with the label Map or Chart if needed for clarity.

76. Cartoon or comic strip List the artist’s name; the title (if any) of the cartoon or comic strip, in quotation marks; and the usual publication information for a print periodical (see models 29–36) or a short work from a website (model 46). You may end the entry with a label (Cartoon or Comic strip) for clarity.

77. Advertisement Include the label Advertisement.

Other sources (including online versions)

Directory to MLA-style works-cited entries

If an online version is not shown in this section, use the appropriate model for the source and then end with a DOI, permalink, or URL.

78. Report or pamphlet Follow the guidelines for a print book (models 7–28) or a digital book (model 41).

79. Government publication Begin with the author, if identified. Otherwise, start with the name of the government, followed by the agency. The print publisher is often the Government Printing Office. For congressional documents, cite the number, session, and house of Congress; the type (Report, Resolution, Document); and the number. For online versions, follow the models for a work from a Web site (model 46), an entire Web site (model 47), or a downloadable file (model 73).

80. Published proceedings of a conference Cite the proceedings as you would a book.

81. Dissertation Enclose the title in quotation marks. Add the label Dissertation, the school, and the year the work was accepted.

Note: Cite a published dissertation as a book, adding the identification Dissertation and the university after the title.

82. Dissertation abstract Cite the abstract as you would an unpublished dissertation (see model 81). For the abstract of a dissertation using Dissertation Abstracts International, include the volume, year, and page number.

83. Unpublished letter Cite a published letter as a work in an anthology (see model 11). If the letter is unpublished, follow this form:

84. Manuscript or other unpublished work List the author’s name; the title (if any) or a description of the material; the form of the material, any identifying numbers; and the name and location of the library or research institution housing the material, if applicable.

85. Legal source To cite a court case, give the names of the first plaintiff and defendant, the case number, the name of the court, and the date of the decision. To cite an act, give the name of the act followed by its Public Law (Pub. L.) number, the date the act was enacted, and its Statutes at Large (Stat.) cataloging number.

Note: You do not need an entry in the list of works cited when you cite articles of the U.S. Constitution and laws in the U.S. Code.