If you're a humanities student, chances are you've encountered MLA citation style at some point in your academic journey. Whether you're analyzing Shakespeare's sonnets, exploring feminist theory, or examining cultural phenomena, MLA (Modern Language Association) style is likely your go-to format for citing sources. But let's be honest—MLA citations can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to focus on your brilliant analysis of Hamlet or your groundbreaking insights into postmodern literature.
The good news is that MLA citation doesn't have to be a source of stress. With the right approach and a clear understanding of the basic principles, you can master MLA formatting and focus on what really matters—your ideas and analysis. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of MLA citation, from the simplest in-text citations to the most complex Works Cited entries.
Think of MLA citations as the foundation of your academic writing. They're not just about following rules; they're about joining the scholarly conversation in your field, giving credit where it's due, and helping your readers understand the rich tapestry of sources that inform your work. When done correctly, citations enhance your writing by showing the depth of your research and the credibility of your sources.
Understanding MLA Style: The Humanities Approach
Before we dive into the mechanics of MLA formatting, let's take a moment to understand why MLA style exists and what makes it particularly well-suited for humanities students.
The Author-Centered Approach: MLA style places the author at the center of the citation, reflecting the humanities' emphasis on individual creativity, interpretation, and intellectual contribution. When you cite a source in MLA, you're not just acknowledging information—you're recognizing the human mind behind the ideas.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Unlike more rigid citation styles, MLA is designed to handle the diverse range of sources that humanities students encounter, from ancient manuscripts to modern websites, from paintings to podcasts. This flexibility reflects the interdisciplinary nature of humanities research.
Reader-Friendly Format: MLA citations are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, allowing your analysis and interpretation to take center stage. The citation system gets out of the way so your ideas can shine.
Emphasis on Accessibility: MLA style prioritizes making sources accessible to readers, which is why it includes so much detail about where to find the information you've cited.
The Foundation: Basic MLA In-Text Citations
In-text citations are the building blocks of MLA style. They appear within your paper whenever you quote, paraphrase, or reference someone else's work. The beauty of MLA in-text citations is their simplicity—they follow a consistent author-page format that's easy to learn and apply.
The Author-Page Format
MLA uses a simple author-page format for in-text citations. The basic structure is: (Author's Last Name Page Number). That's it! No commas, no "p." or "pp."—just the author's last name and the page number in parentheses.
Basic Examples:
- (Smith 42)
- (Johnson 156)
- (Williams 23-24)
Incorporating Citations into Your Writing
The key to effective MLA citations is integrating them smoothly into your writing. You have two main options:
Option 1: Parenthetical Citations When you don't mention the author's name in your sentence, include both the author and page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Example: The concept of the "other" is central to postcolonial theory (Said 3).
Option 2: Signal Phrases When you mention the author's name in your sentence, you only need to include the page number in parentheses.
Example: According to Edward Said, the concept of the "other" is central to postcolonial theory (3).
Multiple Authors
When citing sources with multiple authors, MLA has specific rules depending on the number of authors:
Two Authors: Include both authors' last names connected by "and"
- (Smith and Johnson 45)
- Smith and Johnson argue that "literature reflects society" (45)
Three or More Authors: Use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
- (Smith et al. 78)
- Smith et al. suggest that "cultural identity is fluid" (78)
No Author or Unknown Author
When a source doesn't have a clear author, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks:
- ("Postmodern Literature" 12)
- The article "Postmodern Literature" argues that "reality is constructed" (12)
Works Cited Page: The Complete Guide
The Works Cited page is where you provide complete information about all the sources you've cited in your paper. Think of it as your readers' roadmap to your research—it should contain everything they need to find and verify your sources.
Basic Works Cited Page Formatting
Page Setup:
- Start on a new page at the end of your paper
- Center the title "Works Cited" (not "Bibliography" or "References")
- Use double spacing throughout
- Alphabetize entries by the author's last name
- Use hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented)
Hanging Indent Example:
Smith, John. "The Art of Literary Analysis." Journal of Humanities,
vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45-62.
Common Source Types in MLA Format
Let's walk through the most common types of sources you'll encounter as a humanities student, with complete examples for each.
Books
Single Author Book:
Smith, John. The Art of Literary Analysis. Oxford University Press, 2023.
Multiple Authors Book:
Smith, John, and Mary Johnson. Understanding Postmodern Literature.
Cambridge University Press, 2023.
Edited Book:
Williams, Sarah, editor. Contemporary Literary Theory: A Reader.
Routledge, 2023.
Chapter in an Edited Book:
Johnson, Michael. "Feminist Literary Criticism." Contemporary Literary
Theory: A Reader, edited by Sarah Williams, Routledge, 2023,
pp. 45-78.
Journal Articles
Print Journal Article:
Brown, Lisa. "Reimagining the Canon: Diversity in Literature."
Literary Studies Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 3, 2023, pp. 123-145.
Online Journal Article:
Davis, Robert. "Digital Humanities and Literary Analysis."
Modern Language Review, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 67-89,
www.mlr.org/articles/digital-humanities.
Websites and Online Sources
Website with Author:
Wilson, Amanda. "The Future of Literary Studies."
Literary Analysis Today, 15 Mar. 2023,
www.literaryanalysistoday.com/future-studies.
Website without Author:
"Shakespeare's Influence on Modern Literature."
British Literature Online, 20 Feb. 2023,
www.britlit.org/shakespeare-influence.
Online Article from a Database:
Taylor, James. "Postcolonial Theory in Practice."
Academic Search Complete, vol. 12, no. 4, 2023, pp. 34-56,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=123456789.
Other Common Sources
Film or Movie:
The Great Gatsby. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, performances by Leonardo
DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, Warner Bros., 2013.
Television Episode:
"The One with the Literary Analysis." Friends, created by David Crane
and Marta Kauffman, season 2, episode 15, NBC, 15 Feb. 1996.
Interview:
Smith, John. Personal interview. 15 Mar. 2023.
Lecture or Presentation:
Johnson, Mary. "Modernist Literature and Society."
English Department Colloquium, University of California,
20 Feb. 2023, Lecture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Perfect MLA Citations
Now that you understand the basic principles, let's walk through the step-by-step process of creating MLA citations for any source.
Step 1: Identify the Source Type
Before you can format a citation, you need to identify what type of source you're working with. Ask yourself:
- Is it a book, article, website, or something else?
- Who is the author or creator?
- When was it published?
- Where can readers find it?
Step 2: Gather All Required Information
For most sources, you'll need:
- Author's name (last name, first name)
- Title of the work
- Title of the container (book, journal, website)
- Other contributors (editors, translators, etc.)
- Version or edition
- Number (volume, issue, etc.)
- Publisher
- Publication date
- Location (page numbers, URL, DOI)
Step 3: Apply MLA Formatting Rules
Author Names:
- Last name, First name Middle name.
- If no author, start with the title
Titles:
- Book titles: italicized
- Article titles: in quotation marks
- Journal titles: italicized
Punctuation:
- Use periods after author names and titles
- Use commas to separate elements
- Use colons before page numbers
Step 4: Check for Accuracy
Before finalizing your citation, verify:
- All information is correct and complete
- Punctuation follows MLA guidelines
- The citation matches your in-text citation
- The entry is properly alphabetized
Common MLA Citation Scenarios
Let's look at some specific scenarios you're likely to encounter as a humanities student.
Citing Literary Works
When citing literary works, you often need to include additional information:
Novel with Multiple Editions:
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. Edited by Claudia Johnson,
Norton Critical Edition, W.W. Norton, 2016.
Poem from an Anthology:
Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 18." The Norton Anthology of English
Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, 10th ed., vol. 1,
W.W. Norton, 2018, pp. 123-124.
Play:
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine,
Folger Shakespeare Library, Simon & Schuster, 2012.
Citing Secondary Sources
When you read about a source in another source (a secondary source), you need to cite both:
In-text citation: (qtd. in Smith 45) Works Cited entry: Cite the source you actually read (Smith), not the original source.
Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author
When you cite multiple works by the same author, alphabetize by title and include the author's name in each entry:
Smith, John. "The Art of Analysis." Literary Studies, vol. 15, 2023,
pp. 45-62.
---. Understanding Literature. Oxford University Press, 2023.
Formatting Your MLA Paper
MLA style isn't just about citations—it also includes specific formatting requirements for your entire paper.
General Formatting
Page Setup:
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double spacing throughout
- 12-point Times New Roman font (or similar)
- Header with your last name and page number
First Page:
- No title page (unless specifically requested)
- Your name, instructor's name, course, and date in the top left
- Centered title
- Begin your paper immediately after the title
Example First Page:
Your Name
Professor Smith
English 101
15 March 2023
The Art of Literary Analysis
Literary analysis is more than just summarizing a text...
In-Text Citation Formatting
Placement:
- Place citations at the end of the sentence, before the period
- If citing multiple sources, separate with semicolons
- If the citation is part of a quotation, place it after the closing quotation mark
Examples:
- The concept of the "other" is central to postcolonial theory (Said 3).
- As Smith argues, "literature reflects society" (45), and this is evident in modern novels (Johnson 78; Williams 23).
Common MLA Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced students make MLA formatting mistakes. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Incorrect Punctuation
Wrong: (Smith, 45) Right: (Smith 45)
Wrong: "The title of the book." Right: The title of the book.
Mistake 2: Missing Information
Wrong: Smith, John. "Article Title." Journal Name, 2023. Right: Smith, John. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45-62.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Alphabetization
Wrong: Listing sources in the order you used them Right: Alphabetizing by author's last name
Mistake 4: Inconsistent Formatting
Wrong: Mixing different formats for similar sources Right: Using consistent formatting throughout
Mistake 5: Including Sources You Didn't Cite
Wrong: Including every source you read Right: Only including sources you actually cited in your paper
Advanced MLA Techniques
Once you've mastered the basics, you can use these advanced techniques to make your citations more sophisticated and effective.
Block Quotations
For quotations longer than four lines, use block format:
Smith argues that literary analysis requires a deep understanding of context:
The process of literary analysis is not simply about identifying themes
and symbols, but about understanding how these elements work together
to create meaning. This requires not only close reading skills but also
an awareness of historical, cultural, and social contexts that inform
the text. (45)
Citing Multiple Pages
When citing multiple pages, use the format (Smith 45-47) or (Smith 45, 47, 49) for non-consecutive pages.
Citing Indirect Sources
When you cite a source that was quoted in another source:
In-text: (qtd. in Smith 45) Works Cited: Cite the source you actually read (Smith), not the original.
Using Ellipses and Brackets
Ellipses (...) indicate omitted text:
- "The process of literary analysis...requires close reading skills" (Smith 45)
Brackets [ ] indicate your additions or clarifications:
- "The process of literary analysis [in postmodern texts] requires close reading skills" (Smith 45)
Tools and Resources for MLA Citation
You don't have to create MLA citations from scratch. There are many tools and resources available to help you.
Online Citation Generators
Sourcely: Our AI-powered platform can help you find credible sources and generate properly formatted MLA citations. Simply input your source information, and Sourcely will format it correctly.
Purdue OWL: The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University provides comprehensive MLA guides with examples and practice exercises.
EasyBib: A popular citation generator that can create MLA citations for a wide variety of sources.
Reference Management Software
Zotero: A free tool that can automatically generate MLA citations and help you organize your research.
Mendeley: Another free tool that combines reference management with social networking for researchers.
Style Guides
MLA Handbook: The official guide to MLA style, published by the Modern Language Association.
Purdue OWL MLA Guide: A free, comprehensive online guide with examples and practice exercises.
Practice Exercises
The best way to master MLA citation is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your skills.
Exercise 1: Basic In-Text Citations
Convert these sentences to include proper MLA in-text citations:
- According to John Smith, literary analysis requires close reading skills.
- The concept of the "other" is central to postcolonial theory.
- Modern literature reflects the complexities of contemporary society.
Exercise 2: Works Cited Entries
Create proper MLA Works Cited entries for these sources:
- A book by Mary Johnson titled "Understanding Literature" published by Oxford University Press in 2023
- An article by Robert Davis titled "Postmodern Theory" in the journal "Literary Studies" volume 15, issue 2, pages 45-67, published in 2023
- A website article by Lisa Brown titled "The Future of Literary Studies" published on March 15, 2023, at www.literarystudies.com/future
Exercise 3: Mixed Source Types
Create a Works Cited page with these sources:
- A novel by Jane Austen
- A journal article about Austen's work
- A website with biographical information about Austen
- A film adaptation of one of Austen's novels
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with a good understanding of MLA style, you'll encounter situations that don't fit the standard patterns. Here's how to handle some common problems.
Problem: Missing Information
Solution: If information is missing, skip that element and move to the next. Don't make up information or use "n.d." unless the source truly has no date.
Problem: Unusual Source Types
Solution: Use the closest standard format and adapt it. For example, a podcast episode might follow the format of a television episode.
Problem: Multiple Authors with Same Last Name
Solution: Include the first initial: (J. Smith 45) and (M. Smith 67)
Problem: Sources with No Page Numbers
Solution: For online sources, you might omit page numbers or use paragraph numbers if available: (Smith, par. 3)
Problem: Very Long URLs
Solution: Use the shortest form of the URL that still leads to the source. Many databases provide shortened URLs.
The Bottom Line: Making MLA Work for You
MLA citation doesn't have to be a source of stress or confusion. With practice and attention to detail, you can master the format and use it to enhance your academic writing.
Remember the Core Principles:
- Author-page format for in-text citations
- Complete information in Works Cited entries
- Consistency throughout your paper
- Accuracy in all details
Use Available Resources:
- Citation generators and reference management tools
- Style guides and online resources
- Your professor and writing center
- Practice exercises and examples
Focus on Your Ideas:
- Don't let citation formatting overshadow your analysis
- Use citations to support and enhance your arguments
- Remember that proper citation shows respect for other scholars' work
Conclusion
Mastering MLA citation is an essential skill for any humanities student. It's not just about following rules—it's about joining the scholarly conversation in your field, giving credit where it's due, and helping your readers understand the rich tapestry of sources that inform your work.
The key to success is practice, consistency, and attention to detail. Start with the basics, use the tools available to you, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With time and experience, you'll develop the citation skills that will serve you throughout your academic and professional career.
Remember, every great literary critic, cultural theorist, and humanities scholar started exactly where you are now—learning the fundamentals of academic writing and citation. The difference between a good paper and a great one often comes down to these small details that show you understand and respect the scholarly process.
So embrace MLA citation as a tool for better communication, not as an obstacle to your creativity. Use it to enhance your analysis, support your arguments, and join the ongoing conversation in your field. Your future self—and your professors—will thank you for the effort you put into getting it right.
The world of humanities scholarship is rich, complex, and endlessly fascinating. Proper MLA citation is your passport to that world, allowing you to engage with the ideas of others while contributing your own unique insights. So dive in, practice regularly, and let MLA citation become second nature. Your academic writing will be all the stronger for it.
