MLA 8 Citation Guide - Richland College
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MLA 8 Citation Guide
Overview
It is important to cite your sources by using both in-text citations and a Works Cited list with
bibliographic entries. Cite your sources when you use someone else’s ideas.
Works Cited List Example
SOURCE: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/styleguide/chapter/mla-works-cited-page-formatting/
Note that the citation is double-spaced and the second line is indented. This is done by creating a hanging
indent. Your citation entries should also appear in alphabetical order on your Works Cited page.
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerBibliographic Entries
Hard Copy Sources
Generally, the title, author, other contributors, versions, and publishers appear on the title page of a book.
The publication date is on the back of the title page. If there are multiple dates, use the most recent. If you
can find neither a publisher nor a publication date, leave the information blank.
If your source is missing any of the core elements, such as a publication date or version, simply leave that
element out of your citation. However, if your source is missing multiple elements that should exist for
that type of source, either do additional research to find these items or you may want to reconsider the
credibility of your source.
Electronic Sources
If you are using an article on a website, the author’s name is usually listed under the title of the article,
along with the date of publication. The publisher information can usually be found at the bottom of
website. This is also where you will find the publication date if you are using a page of a website.
If the author’s name is not listed, or you cannot find the publisher or publication date, skip this element in
your citation.
Missing Elements
If your source is missing any of the core elements with your source, such as a publication date or version,
simply leave that element out of your citation. However, if your source is missing multiple elements that
should exist for that type of source, you may want to reconsider the credibility of your source.
In-Text Citations
The In-text citation includes the author’s last name and page number if the author’s name is not included
in the introductory phrase to the quote.
In-text citations appear at the end of a sentence or sentences that summarize, paraphrase, or quote your
source. Every in-text citation refers the reader to its related bibliography entry. In-text citations consist of
the author’s last name and the page number.
Example: “Paper airplanes are aerodynamically complex” (Jones 22).
Example: With good aerodynamics, paper planes will fly better (Jones 22).
Listing the Author in the Text
If you refer to the author of your quote in the text, then you do not need to list him or her in the
parentheses at the end of the sentence. You only need the page number.
Example: According to Professor Frederick Turner at The University of Texas at Dallas, “no truly
great poetry has been written in English since the Second World War” (77).
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerA Quote within a Quote
If you find a quote you want to use that is quoted within another source, it is best to find the original
source of the quote and cite it. If you cannot find the original source, you must give the original author
credit for doing the research or interview in the body of the essay. Your Works Cited entry should only
reflect the source you took the quote from, not the original source.
Works Cited Entry:
Brown, Laura. “Michelle Obama: America's Got Talent.” Fashion Trends and Women's Fashion Shows -
Harper’s BAZAAR, Hearst Communications, 13 Oct. 2010,
www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/news/a591/michelle-obama-interview/.
Example: According to First Lady Michelle Obama, the power of an artistic performance can be
diplomatic: “That's the beauty of arts and culture, music and dance. It's a universal voice” (qtd. in
Brown).
When Not to Cite
The only time you don’t have to cite your source is when the information is common knowledge.
Common knowledge is information that your audience would already know or that is commonly known.
What qualifies as common knowledge may change depending on your audience.
Example: Springfield is the capital of Illinois.
Example: It’s possible to make hydrogen from water and turn it into clean energy.
The first example is a well-known fact and does not need to be cited for a general audience. The second
example would need to be cited for a general audience, but not if you were writing for energy scientists
and engineers.
When in doubt, cite!
BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRIES and In-Text Citations FOR HARD
COPY SOURCES
Basic Book Entry
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publishing Company, year.
Downey, Katherine Brown. Perverse Midrash: Oscar Wilde, Andre Gide, and Censorship of Biblical
Drama. Continuum, 2004.
In-text citation: (Downey 24) In-text citation includes the author’s last name and page number.
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerWork in an Anthology (Chapter or Section in a Book)
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title.” Title of Book, Editors or Translators, if applicable,
volume or edition, Publishing Company, year, page numbers.
Butler, Octavia E. “Bloodchild.” Bloodchild and Other Stories, edited by Joe Smith, vol. 2, Seven Stories,
2005, pp. 1-24.
In-text citation: (Butler 15).
A Printed Source with Two Authors
First Author’s Last Name, First Name, and Second Author’s First Name Last Name. Title of Book.
Publishing Company, year.
Fisher, John, and Peter Jones. Internet Piracy. Dell, 2010.
In-text citation: (Fisher and Jones 218).
A Printed Source With Three or More Authors
First Author’s Last Name, First Name, et al. Title of Book. Publishing Company, year.
Fisher, John, et al. Internet Piracy. Dell, 2010.
In-text citation: (Fisher et al. 218).
BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRIES AND IN-TEXT CITATIONS FOR
ONLINE SOURCES
Scholarly Journal in a Database
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, volume number, issue number, year,
pages. Database, DOI or URL.
Lunau, Kate. “Altered States.” Maclean’s, vol. 129, no. 1, 2016, pp. 40-44. Academic Search Complete,
ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=8&sid=5c6ca2d5-721b-4dd9-992d-
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerc4af002de8de%40sessionmgr4006&hid=4110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#
AN=112010840&db=a9h.
In-text citation: (Lunau 42).
Make sure to remove the hyperlink when you enter a URL or web address. Do this by putting the curser
over the URL and right clicking on it. Then select “Remove Hyperlink.”
Article on a Website
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Website Title, Publisher (if it is not clear who
published it), date published, web address.
White, Deborah. “Marijuana Legalization Pros & Cons, Will Obama Legalize Marijuana?” Liberal &
Progressive Politics & Perspectives, New York Times, June 2011,
http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/MarijuanaProCon.htm.
In-text citation: (White).
Advertisement Online
Product Name. Advertisement. “Title of Commercial.” Website Title, Publisher (if it is not clear who
published it), date published, web address.
Chrysler. Advertisement. “Halftime in America.” YouTube, 5 Feb 2012,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIVjCghMo2E.
In-text citation: (Chrysler).
Government or Organization Website
Organization Name. “Article Title.” Website Title, Publisher (if it is not clear who the publisher is), date
published, URL address.
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerFederal Bureau of Investigation. “Telemarketing Fraud.” Common Fraud Schemes, U.S. Dept. of Justice,
www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes.
In-text citation: (Federal).
Social Media
Handle. “Title.” Source,” date created, URL.
Bigboy485. Comment on “Halftime in America.” YouTube, 20 March 2012, 11:15 p.m.,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIVjCghMo2E.
In-text citation: (Bigboy485).
OTHER RESOURCES
You might be interested in the “Avoiding Plagiarism” tutorial on eCampus. To access the tutorial:
1. Log on to eCampus and click on “Online English Corner” in the “My Organizations” area.
2. Select the purple “Tutorials” button on the left of the screen.
3. Select the “Essay Writing Tutorials” folder.
4. Click on “Avoiding Plagiarism.”
You may also be interested in the “Using MLA Style” handout. It is also on the Online English Corner in
eConnect. You can find it under “Handouts.”
For additional information about formats, use Purdue Owl online or the MLA Handbook, eighth edition.
Last updated on 8/02/2018 www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcornerYou can also read
