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.

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 List the first author’s last name first (see model 1). Then, give the names of any other authors with the first name first. Separate authors’ names with commas, and include the word and before the last person’s name.

For four or more authors, either list all the names, or 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 brackets. 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 city of publication and the publisher, the publication year, and the medium (Print). 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 colon after the city and a comma after the publisher, and shorten the publisher’s name—omit Co. or Inc., and abbreviate University Press to UP.

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 abbreviation Ed. and the name(s) of the editor(s); publication information; the selection’s page numbers; and the medium (Print).

Note: Use the following format to provide original publication information for a reprinted selection:

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 with 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 Ed.).

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 medium (Print), 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 a publisher’s imprint, hyphenate the imprint and the publisher’s name.

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, the page numbers, and the medium (Print). 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 given, then Rev. of and the title of the work under review.

35. Interview in a print periodical List the person interviewed and either the title of the interview (if any) or the label Interview, along with the interviewer’s name, if relevant.

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 such as Academic Search Premier, 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). Include the page numbers from the print version; if no page numbers are available, use n. pag. Then give the name of the online database, italicized; the medium (Web); and your most recent date of access.

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). If an article does not have page numbers, use n. pag. End with the medium consulted (Web) and the date of access.

39. Article from a magazine on the Web List the author, article title, and name of the magazine. Then identify the sponsor of the Web site and the date of publication, the medium (Web), and your date of access.

40. Article from a newspaper on the Web After the name of the newspaper, give the publisher, publication date, medium (Web), and access date.

41. Digital book (online or e-reader) Provide information as for a print book (see models 7–28); then give the digital publication information, the medium, and the date of access.

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. No access date is required.

42. Part of a digital book Cite as you would a part of a print book (see models 11 and 22). Give the print (if any) and digital publication information, the medium (Web), and the date of access.

43. Online poem Include the poet’s name, the title of the poem, and the print publication information (if any). End with the electronic publication information, the medium (Web), and the date of access.

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

45. Online review Cite an online review as you would a print review (see model 34), and include information about the work under review. End with the name of the Web site, the sponsor, the date of publication, the medium, and the date of access.

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 none is available, use N.p.); the date of publication (if not available, use n.d.); the medium consulted (Web); and the 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 none, use N.p.); the date of publication or last update; the medium of publication (Web); and the date of access.

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 none, use N.p.); the date of the last update (if there is no date, use n.d.); the medium of publication (Web); and the 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 (use N.p. if none is named); the date of the latest update; the medium (Web); and the date of access. 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 in quotation marks, the title of the site in italics, the department (if relevant) and institution sponsoring the site, the date (or n.d. if none is given), the medium consulted (Web), and the access information.

For a department Web site, give the department name, the description Dept. home page, the institution (in italics), the site sponsor, the date (or n.d.), the medium (Web), and the access information.

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 there is none, use N.p.); the date of the most recent update; the medium (Web); and the date of access.

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 square brackets. (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 (if there is no title, use the description Online posting, not italicized); the title of the site, italicized; the sponsor (if there is none, use N.p.); the date of the most recent update; the medium (Web); and the date of access.

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

52. Tweet Include the writer’s real name, if known, with the user name (if different) in parentheses. If you don’t know the real name, give just the user name. Include the entire tweet, in quotation marks. End with date and time of message and the medium 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 date of the post; and the medium of delivery (such as Facebook post). (The MLA does not provide guidelines for citing postings or messages on such sites; this model is based on the MLA’s guidelines for citing a tweet.)

54. Email or message on a social networking site Include the writer’s name; the subject line, in quotation marks, if one is provided; Message to (not italicized or in quotation marks) followed by the recipient’s name; the date of the message; and the medium of delivery (such as E-mail or Facebook message—note that MLA style hyphenates e-mail).

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 DVD or Blu-ray disc instead of a theatrical release, include the original film release date and the label DVD or BD. Treat a film that you viewed streaming online as a theatrical release.

56. Online video clip 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; the local station and city, if the show appeared on a local channel; the broadcast date(s); and the medium. 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, the Web site title, the medium (Web), and the access date.

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; the local station and city, if the show appeared locally; the broadcast date(s); and the medium (Radio). 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, the Web site title, the medium (Web), and the access date. (For downloaded versions, see model 73.)

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, the date(s) the interview took place, and the medium.

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, the name of the Web site, the medium (Web), and the access date. For a podcast interview, see model 72.

62. Online interview Start with the name of the person interviewed. Give the title or the label Interview and the interviewer (if named), then the title of the site, the sponsor or publisher (or N.p. if none is identified), the date of publication, the medium (Web), and the access date.

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. Give the medium (such as CD, MP3 file, or LP). 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, the date of publication, and the medium.

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, date, and platform.

69. Lecture or speech (live) List the speaker; the title, in quotation marks; the sponsoring institution or group; the place; and the date. If the speech is untitled, use a label such as Lecture.

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). For a downloaded podcast, see model 73.

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). For the medium, indicate the type of file (MP3 file, JPEG file).

74. Work of art or photograph List the artist’s or photographer’s name; the work’s title, italicized; the date of composition (if unknown, use n.d.); and the medium of composition (Oil on canvas, Bronze). 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, omit the medium of composition, and after the location, add the title of the database or Web site, italicized; the medium consulted (Web); and the date of access.

75. Map or chart Cite a map or chart as you would a book or a short work within a longer work, and include the word Map or Chart after the title. Then, add the medium of publication. For an online source, end with the date of access.

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

77. Advertisement Include the label Advertisement after the name of the item or organization being advertised.

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 the medium and date of access.

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. For congressional documents, cite the number, session, and house of Congress (S for Senate, H for House of Representatives); the type (Report, Resolution, Document) in abbreviated form; and the number. End with the publication information. The print publisher is often the Government Printing Office (GPO). 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 Diss., the school, and the year the work was accepted.

Note: Cite a published dissertation as a book, adding the identification Diss. 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 (DAI), include the DAI 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 (such as MS for manuscript or TS for typescript) and 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.