How do you cite sources in MLA format?

Definition: MLA Citation Format

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a widely used style for writing and documenting scholarly papers, especially in the humanities. In MLA, sources are cited in two places:

• In-text citations: Brief references within the text, usually including the author's last name and page number.
• Works Cited page: A full list of all sources referenced, formatted with specific rules.

Worked Example

Suppose you are citing the following book:

• Author: Harper Lee
• Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
• Publisher: J.B. Lippincott & Co.
• Year: 1960

1. In-Text Citation

If you quote or paraphrase from page 35:

> The novel explores themes of justice and morality (Lee 35).

• Format: (Author's Last Name Page Number)

2. Works Cited Entry

The full citation on the Works Cited page would be:

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1960.

Step-by-Step Formatting

1. Author's Name: Last name, First name.
2. Title: Italicized.
3. Publisher: Listed after the title.
4. Year of Publication: At the end, followed by a period.

Takeaways

• MLA format uses parenthetical in-text citations with the author's last name and page number: $(\text{Lee 35})$.
• The Works Cited entry lists full publication details in a specific order.
• Consistency and attention to detail are essential for proper MLA formatting.