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How to Cite an Essay in MLA

The guidelines for citing an essay in MLA format are similar to those for citing a chapter in a book. Include the author of the essay, the title of the essay, the name of the collection if the essay belongs to one, the editor of the collection or other contributors, the publication information, and the page number(s).

Citing an Essay

Mla essay citation structure.

Last, First M. “Essay Title.” Collection Title, edited by First M. Last, Publisher, year published, page numbers. Website Title , URL (if applicable).

MLA Essay Citation Example

Gupta, Sanjay. “Balancing and Checking.” Essays on Modern Democracy, edited by Bob Towsky, Brook Stone Publishers, 1996, pp. 36-48. Essay Database, www . databaseforessays.org/modern/modern-democracy.

MLA Essay In-text Citation Structure

(Last Name Page #)

MLA Essay In-text Citation Example

Click here to cite an essay via an EasyBib citation form.

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To cite your sources in an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author’s name(s), chapter title, book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for in-text citations and a works-cited-list entry for essay sources and some examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author on the first occurrence. For subsequent citations, use only the surname(s). In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author(s).

Citation in prose:

First mention: Annette Wheeler Cafarelli

Subsequent occurrences: Wheeler Cafarelli

Parenthetical:

….(Wheeler Cafarelli).

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the chapter is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Cafarelli, Annette Wheeler. “Rousseau and British Romanticism: Women and British Romanticism.” Cultural Interactions in the Romantic Age: Critical Essays in Comparative Literature , edited by Gregory Maertz. State U of New York P, 1998, pp. 125–56.

To cite an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author(s), the essay title, the book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for citations in prose, parenthetical citations, and works-cited-list entries for an essay by multiple authors, and some examples, are given below:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author (e.g., Mary Strine).

For sources with two authors, use both full author names in prose (e.g., Mary Strine and Beth Radick).

For sources with three or more authors, use the first name and surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Mary Strine and others). In subsequent citations, use only the surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Strine and others).

In parenthetical citations, use only the author’s surname. For sources with two authors, use two surnames (e.g., Strine and Radick). For sources with three or more author names, use the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”

First mention: Mary Strine…

Subsequent mention: Strine…

First mention: Mary Strine and Beth Radick…

Subsequent mention: Strine and Radick…

First mention: Mary Strine and colleagues …. or Mary Strine and others

Subsequent occurrences: Strine and colleagues …. or Strine and others

…. (Strine).

….(Strine and Radick).

….(Strine et al.).

The title of the essay is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name, et al. “Title of the Essay.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Strine, Mary M., et al. “Research in Interpretation and Performance Studies: Trends, Issues, Priorities.” Speech Communication: Essays to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Speech Communication Association , edited by Gerald M. Phillips and Julia T. Wood, Southern Illinois UP, 1990, pp. 181–204.

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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): In-Text Citation

• Understanding Core Elements
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In-Text Citation

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In-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. 

• In-text citations in MLA style follow the general format of author's last name followed by a page number enclosed in parentheses. Here is an example: "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8).
• If the author's name is not given, use the first word (or words) of the title. Follow the same formatting that is used in the works-cited list, such as quotation marks. Here is an example: This is a paraphrase ("Trouble" 22).
• If the source does not have page numbers (for example, some online articles, websites and e-books), only include the author's name for the in-text citation. Do not estimate or make up page numbers.  
• In-text citations point the reader to the works-cited list, which is located at the end of your paper, for more complete bibliographic information.

Repeated Use of Sources

If you use information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation. Here is an example:

Cell biology is an area of science that focuses on the structure and function of cells (Smith 15). It revolves around the idea that the cell is a "fundamental unit of life" (17).

  Note: If using this simplified in-text citation creates ambiguity regarding the source being referred to, use the full in-text citation format.

In-Text Citation Formatting and Examples

Format:  (Author's Last Name Page Number)

Example: (Hunt 358)

Two Authors

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

Example: (Case and Daristotle 57)

Three or More Authors

Format:   (Author's Last Name et al. Page Number)

Example: (Case et al. 57)

Unknown Author

Where you would normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Do not use  initial articles such as "A", "An" or "The". Provide enough words to clarify which sources from your works-cited list that you are referencing. 

Follow the formatting of the title. For example, if the title in the works-cited list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation, and if the title in the works-cited list is in quotation marks, put quotation marks around the words from the title in the in-text citation.

Format: (Title Page Number)

Examples : 

( Cell Biology 12)

("Nursing" 12)

Multiple Sources

To cite more than one source when you are paraphrasing, separate the in-text citations with a semi-colon.

Format: (Author's Last Name Page Number; Author's Last Name Page Number).

(Smith 42; Bennett 71). 

( It Takes Two ; Brock 43).

 Note: In MLA style, the sources within the in-text citation do not need to be in alphabetical order.

Works Quoted in Another Source

Sometimes an author of a book, article or website will mention another person's work by using a quotation or paraphrased idea from that source. (This may be a secondary source.) For example, the Kirkey article you are reading includes a quotation by Smith that you would like to include in your essay. The basic rule is that in both your Works-Cited List and in-text citation you will still cite Kirkey. Kirkey will appear in your Works Cited list – NOT Smith. Add the words "qtd. in" to your in-text citation.

Examples of in-text citations:

According to a study by Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) 42% of doctors would refuse to perform legal euthanasia.

Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) states that “even if euthanasia was legal, 42% of doctors would be against this method of assisted dying” (A.10).

Example of Works Cited List citation:

Kirkey, Susan. "Euthanasia."   The Montreal Gazette , 9 Feb. 2013, p. A.10. Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies.

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Citations - MLA: In-Text Citations - Quotations & Paraphrasing

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On This Page

• About In-text Citations

Paraphrasing

• In-Text Citation for One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Unknown Author

Repeated use of sources, long quotations.

• In-Text Citation for More Than One Source

Citing a Source that you Found in Another Source (Secondary Source)

Order of authors, physician credentials, about in-text citations.

In MLA, in-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. Brief in-text citations point the reader to the full citation on the works cited list at the end of the paper.

Create in-text citations for the following:

• Direct quotes

If you're using information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation.

Cell biology is an area of science that focuses on the structure and function of cells (Smith 15). It revolves around the idea that the cell is a "fundamental unit of life" (17). Many important scientists have contributed to the evolution of cell biology. Mattias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, for example, were scientists who formulated cell theory in 1838 (20). 

 Note: If using this simplified in-text citation creates ambiguity regarding the source being referred to, use the full in-text citation format.

What Is a Long Quotation?

If your quotation extends to more than four lines as you're typing your essay, it is a long quotation.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

• The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
• The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
• There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
• The period at the end of the quotation comes  before  your in-text citation as opposed to  after , as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of  Lord of the Flies  the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too . (Golding 186)

Direct Quote  - Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number:

Mother-infant attachment has been a leading topic of developmental research since John Bowlby found that "children raised in institutions were deficient in emotional and personality development" (Hunt 358).

Authors Name in the Sentence & with a Direct Quote -  If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name in the in-text citation, instead include the page number (if there is one) at the end of the quotation or paraphrased section. For example:

Hunt explains that mother-infant attachment has been a leading topic of developmental research since John Bowlby found that "children raised in institutions were deficient in emotional and personality development" (358).

No Page Numbers & with a Direct Quote -  When you quote from electronic sources that do not provide page numbers (like Web pages), cite the author name only.

"Three phases of the separation response: protest, despair, and detachment" (Garelli).

  Note: The period goes outside the brackets, at the end of your in-text citation.

In-Text Citation For One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Author Known: 

• "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8).

In-Text Citation For More Than One Source

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon.

(Smith 42; Bennett 71). 

( It Takes Two ; Brock 43).

 Note: The sources within the in-text citation do not need to be in alphabetical order for MLA style.

When creating an in-text citation or full citation, the authors should be listed in the original order displayed on the item (book, article, ...). 

Do not include academic credentials (e.g., MD, MPH, PhD,. DDS) when citing doctors in the in-text or full citation. 

The writer may refer to the physician by Dr. (name), when writing a paraphrase or inserting a direct quotation, although, it is not required.

Using the medical credential in the sentence:

Dr. Higgins, said the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (257). 

Dr. Price realized that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this observation in various regions of the world during his travels (390). 

Omitting the medical credential from the sentence:

He sad the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (Higgins 257). 

Price observed that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this in various regions of the world during his travels (390). 

When you write information or ideas from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion.

Paraphrasing from One Page

Include a full in-text citation with the author name and page number (if there is one). For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 65).

Hunt discussed mother-infant attachment becoming a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (65).

Paraphrasing from Multiple Pages

If the paraphrased information/idea is from several pages, include them. For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 50, 55, 65-71).

Author Unknown:

• If the author's name is not given, then use the first word or words of the title. Follow the same formatting that was used in the works cited list, such as quotation marks. This is a paraphrase ("Trouble" 22).
• Where you'd normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don't count initial articles like "A", "An" or "The". You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you're referring to from your Works Cited list.
• If the title in the Works Cited list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.
• If the title in the Works Cited list is in quotation marks, put quotation marks around the words from the title in the in-text citation.

( Cell Biology  12)

("Nursing" 12)

Sometimes an author of a book, article or website will mention another person’s work by using a quotation or paraphrased idea from that source. ( This may be called a secondary source.) 

For example, the Kirkey article you are reading includes a quotation by Smith that you would like to include in your essay.

• The basic rule: in your Works Cited and in-text citation you will still cite  Kirkey NOT Smith.
• A dd the words “qtd. in” to your in-text citation.  

Examples of in-text citations :

According to a study by Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) 42% of doctors would refuse to perform legal euthanasia.

Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) states that “even if euthanasia was legal, 42% of doctors would be against this method of assisted dying” (A.10).

Example of Works Cited list citation:

Kirkey, Susan. "Euthanasia."  The Montreal Gazette , 9 Feb. 2013, p. A.10.  Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies.

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Mla quick citation guide.

• In-text Citation
• Citing Generative AI
• Citing Web Pages and Social Media
• Citing Articles
• Citing Books
• Other formats
• MLA Style Quiz

Using In-text Citation

Include an in-text citation when you refer to, summarize, paraphrase, or quote from another source. For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list.

MLA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the page number from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken, for example: (Smith 163). If the source does not use page numbers, do not include a number in the parenthetical citation: (Smith).

For more information on in-text citation, see the MLA Style Center .

Example paragraph with in-text citation

A few researchers in the linguistics field have developed training programs designed to improve native speakers' ability to understand accented speech (Derwing et al. 246; Thomas 15). Their training techniques are based on the research described above indicating that comprehension improves with exposure to non-native speech. Derwing and others conducted their training with students preparing to be social workers, but note that other professionals who work with non-native speakers could benefit from a similar program (258).

Works Cited List

Derwing, Tracey M., et al. "Teaching Native Speakers to Listen to Foreign-accented Speech." Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, vol. 23, no. 4, 2002, pp. 245-259.

Thomas, Holly K.  Training Strategies for Improving Listeners' Comprehension of Foreign-accented Speech. University of Colorado, Boulder, 2004.

Citing Web Pages In Text

Cite web pages in text as you would any other source, using the author if known. If the author is not known, use the title as the in-text citation.

Your in-text citation should lead your reader to the corresponding entry in the reference list. Below are examples of using in-text citation with web pages.

Entire website with author: In-text citation Parents play an important role in helping children learn techniques for coping with bullying (Kraizer).

Works cited entry Kraizer, Sherryll. Safe Child. Coalition for Children, 2011, www.safechild.org.

Web page with no author: In-text citation The term Nittany Lion was coined by Penn State football player Joe Mason in 1904 ("All Things Nittany").

Works cited entry "All Things Nittany." About Penn State. Penn State University, 2006, www.psu.edu/ur/about/nittanymascot.html.

General Guidelines

In MLA style the author's name can be included either in the narrative text of your paper, or in parentheses following the reference to the source.

Author's name part of narrative:

Gass and Varonis found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (163).

Author's name in parentheses:

One study found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (Gass and Varonis 163).

Group as author: (American Psychological Association 123)

Multiple works: (separate each work with semi-colons)

Research shows that listening to a particular accent improves comprehension of accented speech in general (Gass and Varonis 143; Thomas 24).

Direct quote:

One study found that “the listener's familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (Gass and Varonis 85).

Gass and Varonis found that “the listener’s familiarity with the topic of discourse greatly facilitates the interpretation of the entire message” (85).

Note: For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, display quotations as an indented block of text (one inch from left margin) and omit quotation marks. Place your parenthetical citation at the end of the block of text, after the final punctuation mark.

In addition to awareness-raising, practicing listening to accented speech has been shown to improve listening comprehension. This article recommends developing listening training programs for library faculty and staff, based on research from the linguistics and language teaching fields. Even brief exposure to accented speech can help listeners improve their comprehension, thereby improving the level of service to international patrons. (O'Malley 19)

Works by Multiple Authors

When citing works by multiple authors, always spell out the word "and." When a source has three or more authors, only the first one shown in the source is normally given followed by et al.

One author: (Field 399)

Works Cited entry: Field, John. "Intelligibility and the Listener: The Role of Lexical Stress." TESOL Quarterly , vol. 39, no. 3, 2005, pp. 399-423.

Two authors: (Gass and Varonis 67)

Works Cited entry: Gass, Susan, and Evangeline M. Varonis. "The Effect of Familiarity on the Comprehensibility of Nonnative Speech." Language Learning , vol. 34, no. 1, 1984, pp. 65-89.

Three or more authors: (Munro et al. 70)

Works Cited entry: Munro, Murray J., et al. "Salient Accents, Covert Attitudes: Consciousness-raising for Pre-service Second Language Teachers." Prospect , vol. 21, no. 1, 2006, pp. 67-79.

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Using MLA in-text citations

General information about parenthetical citations

How do I cite sources in my paper?

The following instructions are basically the same for print sources and electronic sources. When you quote or paraphrase a specific portion of a text in a source, give enough information—most typically the author’s last name and the page number —to identify the exact location of the borrowed material. If you are using two sources from the same author, then you’ll need to reference both the title of the piece along with the author’s name either in the sentence itself or in the parenthetical citation. Use a comma between the last name and the title of the source if both appear in the parenthetical citation.

The parenthetical information should not repeat information given in your text (e.g., if you mention the author’s name in your text, you do not include it in the citation). For more information and example citations, see: Citing books, articles, and other sources parenthetically in your paper.

How should I format my quotations and citation information?

For direct references, paraphrases, and quotations that are shorter than four lines, include the citation information in parentheses at the end of the sentence directly following any quotation marks and right before the sentence’s ending punctuation.

Use the block quotation format for quotations more than four lines long: indent one half inch from the left margin, double space the quotation, and do not use quotation marks. Place the parenthetical citation after the period (or other mark of punctuation) that closes the block quotation.

When it comes to referencing numbers in parenthetical citations, do not include the word “page” or “pages” or the abbreviations “p.” or “pp.”—just the page numbers themselves. If an electronic source uses paragraph or section numbers instead of page numbers, use the appropriate abbreviation (e.g., “par.”; do not count paragraphs if they are not numbered in the electronic source; if an electronic source does not include page or paragraph numbers, don’t include any numbers in your citation).

When referring to plays, poems, or modern prose works that call attention to other divisions, in the parenthetical citation first include the page number, then provide any other identifying information—abbreviating terms like “chapter” and “section”—and then include the appropriate number. For more information, see: Abbreviating references to your sources

Citing books, articles, and other sources parenthetically in your paper

In conjunction with the explanations about structuring and formatting in–text citations detailed here , this page provides example citations for how a range of different source types are correctly referenced according to MLA’s citation guidelines.

– Author’s name in text

Magny develops this argument (67-69).

– Author’s name in reference

This argument has been developed elsewhere (Magny 67-69).

– Quotation found in indirect or “secondhand” source

The philosopher Alain states that “admiration is not pleasure but a kind of attention. . .” (qtd. in Magny 66).

– Material found in indirect source

Alain’s words seem to dissociate admiration from pleasure (in Magny 66).

– Two authors’ names in reference

The most notorious foreign lobby in Washington is the “Sugar Mafia” (Howe and Trott 134).

– Reference to volume and page in multivolume work

As a painter Andrea was “faultless” (Freedberg 1: 98).

– Reference to whole volume

In his second volume, Freedberg gives an account of Andrea’s whole painting career.

– Two works by same author on list of works cited

Frye connects Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange to romance tradition ( Secular Scripture 110). And while this connection may be surprising given A Clockwork Orange ‘s themes and content, Frye’s unique perspective on the nature of genres sheds light on this unusual combination (“Rhetorical Criticism: Theory of Genres”).

– Two locations in same source

Dabundo deals with this problem (22, 31).

– Two sources cited

This controversy has been addressed more than once (Dabundo 27; Magny 69).

– Personal interview; name given in text

Parsons addresses the need for physical education teachers to understand the relationship between physical activity and fitness.

– Corporate author

Many different types of organizations in the United States are involved in mediation and dispute resolution (Natl. Inst. for Dispute Resolution).

– Quotation from a play with page numbers

In A Raisin in the Sun , Walter doesn’t hide his disdain for his sister’s attitude towards his mother’s money: “the line between asking and just accepting when the time comes is big and wide—ain’t it!” he levels at Beneatha (Hansberry 37; act 1, scene 1).

– Quotation from a play with division and line numbers

This is made clear by the Duke’s recommendation that the best response to grief is to move on ( Othello 1.3.208–209).

– Quotation from a poem

Amy Quan Barry asks piercingly, “What is it to know the absolute value / of negative grace . . .?”

– Quotation from a multi–page poem with line numbers

It is at this point that Eliot first introduces the women in the room “talking of Michelangelo” (line 14).

– Electronic source that uses paragraph numbers

The semiconductor workplace is highly toxic (Ross par. 35).

– Electronic source that uses chapter and section numbers

“Once we start using a tool extensively, it also starts using us” (Rawlins ch. 1, sec. 1).

Formatting quotations according to the MLA guidelines

Parenthetical citations appear at the end of the sentence in which the direct reference, summary, paraphrase, or quote appears.

For quotations that are shorter than four lines, include the citation after the final quotation marks and before the sentence’s concluding punctuation.

Use the block quotation format for quotations more than four lines long:

• In most cases, use a colon to introduce the quotation.
• Indent the quotation one half inch from the left margin.
• Double space the quotation.
• Do not use quotation marks.

Place the parenthetical citation (author and page number) after the period (or other mark of punctuation) that closes the block quotation.

Modern Language Association Documentation

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MLA Table of Contents

Orientation to MLA

Creating an MLA works cited page

Using MLA in–text citations

Abbreviating references to your sources

MLA In-text Citations and Sample Essay 9th Edition

Listing your sources at the end of your essay in the Works Cited is only the first step in complete and effective documentation. Proper citation of sources is a two-part process . You must also cite, in the body of your essay, the source your paraphrased information or where directly quoted material came from. These citations within the essay are called in-text citations . You must cite all quoted, paraphrased, or summarized words, ideas, and facts from sources. Without in-text citations, you are in danger of plagiarism , even if you have listed your sources at the end of the essay. In-text citations point the reader to the sources’ information in the works cited page, so the in-text citation should be the first item listed in the source’s citation on the works cited page, which is usually the author’s last name (or the title if there is no author) and the page number, if provided.

Two Ways to Cite Your Sources In-text

Parenthetical citation.

Cite your source in parentheses at the end of quoted or paraphrased material.

Example with a page number: In regards to paraphrasing, "It is important to remember to use in-text citations for your paraphrased information, as well as your directly quoted material" (Habib 7).

Example without a page number : Paraphrasing is "often the best choice because direct quotes should be reserved for source material that is especially well-written in style and/or clarity" (Ruiz).

Signal Phrase

Within the sentence, through the use of a "signal phrase" which signals to the reader the specific source the idea or quote came from. Include the page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence, if provided.

Example with a page number: According to Habib, "It is important to remember to use in-text citations for your paraphrased information, as well as your directly quoted material" (7).

Example without a page number: According to Ruiz, paraphrasing is "often the best choice because direct quotes should be reserved for source material that is especially well-written in style and/or clarity."

*See our handout "Signal Phrases" for more examples and information on effective ways to use signal phrases for in-text citations.

Do you need to include a page number in your in-text citation?

Printed materials such as books, magazines, journals, or internet and digital sources with PDF files that show an actual printed page number need to have a page number in the citation.

Internet and digital sources with a continuously scrolling page without a page number do not need a page number in the citation.

Commonly used in-text citations in parentheses

Notes on Quotes

Block quotation format.

When using long quotations that are over four lines of prose or over three lines of poetry in length, you will need to use block quotation format. Block format is indented one inch from the margin (you can hit the "tab" button twice to move it one inch). Additionally, block quotes do not use quotation marks, and the parenthetical citation comes after the period of the last sentence. Please see the following sample essay for an example block quote.

Signal Phrase Examples and Ideas

Please see the following sample essay for different kinds of signal phrases and parenthetical in-text citations, which correspond with the sample Works Cited page at the end. The Writing Center also has a handout on signal phrases with many different verb options.

Learn more about the MLA Works Cited page by reviewing this handout .

For information on STLCC's academic integrity policy, check out this website .

Writing Support

• Booking Instructions
• Writing in College
• MLA Citation Guide

In-text Citations

Sample papers, formatting tips, cc attribution.

• APA Citation Guide

This guide is a quick introduction to the Modern Language Association 9th edition citation style. Be sure to consult the  MLA Handbook  or the online  MLA Style Center  for detailed standards and procedures. 

When you reference another source use an  in-text citation  in the body of your paper. 

Basic Format: (Author's Last Name(s) or "Abbreviated Title" Page Number).

I'm using...

Summarizing or Paraphrasing

Always include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the page of the paraphrased source, so your reader can find the full citation in the reference list.

As conceived, American exceptionalism was based on the country's domestic identity, which foreign policy did not shape but merely guarded (McDougall 189).  

Direct quotes.

If you're quoting the exact words of someone else, introduce the quote with an in-text citation in parentheses. Any sentence punctuation goes after the closing parenthesis.

• According to Brown, "Direct quote" (1021).
• Brown found that "Direct quote" (1021).
• [Some other introduction] "Direct quote" (Brown 1021).

If you're directly quoting a long passage, use a  block quotation . Block quotations don't need quotation marks. Instead, indent the text as a visual cue that you are citing. The in-text citation in parentheses goes after the punctuation of the quote.

Shavers study found the following:

While research studies have established that socioeconomic status influences disease incidence, severity and access to healthcare, there has been relatively less study of the specific manner in which low SES influences receipt of quality care and consequent morbidity and mortality among patients with similar disease characteristics, particularly among those who have gained access to the healthcare system. (1021)

In-text citations differ depending on the number of authors listed for a work, and if there is a  group author .

I'm citing a work with...

You only need the author's last name and page number in parentheses.

(Abrams 256)

Connect both authors' last names with " and " and the page number.

(Wegener and Petty 199)

3 or More Authors

If there are 3 or more authors use et al. , which means " and others ," and the page number.

(Harris et al. 20)

Corporate Authors

If the corporate name is used in a parenthetical citation, shorten the name to the shortest noun phrase. For example, the National Academy of Sciences would be shortened to the following:

(National Academy 9)

Unknown Authors

If no author is given, use the title in your signal phrase or the first word or two of the title in parentheses

Book with no author (title in italics): ( Interpersonal Skills 19)

Article with no author (title in quotations): ("Prevalence of tooth loss" 201)

Include the complete citation at the end of your paper in a works cited section. Works cited are organized by the author's last name (or title in the case of no author) in alphabetic (A-Z) order. Use an hanging indent to separate each list item.

Basic Format: Author Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial.  Title of Longer Work  or "Title of Shorter Work." Publisher, Year. URL or DOI.

This Interactive Practice Template and Quick Guide can help with the basics of creating a works cited entry.

I'm citing a...

Journal Article

• Author(s).  Note: Use the format Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. If there are multiple authors, use and before the last author's name.
• "Title of the Article."  Note: Include the title of a shorter work like an article in a journal in quotation marks and use  headline-style capitalization .
• Title of the Journal ,  Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a journal and use  headline-style capitalization .
• no. #,  Note: If there is no additional number after the volume, only include the volume number.
• Publication date,
• pp. xxx-xxx.

If accessed online or in a library database...

• Database ,  Note: Use italics for names of databases.
• URL or permalink.

Gosine, Kevin, and Emmanuel Tabi. "Disrupting Neoliberalism and Bridging the Multiple Worlds of Marginalized Youth via Hip-Hop Pedagogy: Contemplating Possibilities."  Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies , vol. 38, no. 5, 2016, pp. 445-467.  Research Gate ,  doi: 10.1080/10714413.2016.1221712 .  

Online news/magazine article.

• "Title of the Article."  Note: Include the title of a shorter work in quotation marks and use  headline-style capitalization .
• Title of the Newspaper or Publisher ,  Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a newspaper or online publication and use  headline-style capitalization .
• Publication date,  Note: Use the formate Date Abbreviated Month Year.

Robinson, Angela. "History Shows Why It's Time for a Black Woman to Sit on the Supreme Court ."  The Washington Post , 1 Feb. 2022,  https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/02/01/history-shows-why-its-time-black-woman-sit-supreme-court/ .

• Title of the Book .  Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a book and use  headline-style capitalization .
• Edition  Note: If there are multiple editions, use the format 1st/2nd/3rd ed.,
• Publication date.

Lee, Harper.  To Kill a Mockingbird . 1st ed., J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1960.

• Title of the Book,  Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a book and use  headline-style capitalization .
• Editors  Note: If there is one editor, use the format edited by Last Name, First Name. If there are multiple editors, use and before the last author's name.

Hughes, Langston.  Letters from Langston: From the Harlem Renaissance to the Red Scare and Beyond , edited by Evelyn Louise Crawford and Mary Louise Patterson. University of California Press, 2016.  EBSCOhost Academic eBook Collection ,  http://libproxy.csudh.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=1105577&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB& .  

Book chapter with editor(s).

• Author(s) of the Chapter.  Note: Use the format Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. If there are multiple authors, use and before the last author's name.
• "Title of the Chapter."  Note: Include the title of a shorter work like a chapter in quotation marks and use  headline-style capitalization .

Green, David. "Supporting the Academic Success of Hispanic Students."  College Libraries and Student Culture: What We Now Know , edited by Andrew D. Asher and Lynda M. Duke, ALA Editions, 2011.  EBSCOhost Academic eBook Collection ,  http://libproxy.csudh.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=390319 .

• Author.  Note: If there is no individual author, begin the citation with "Title of the Page."
• "Title of Page, Section, or Document."
• Publisher ,

"Citation Guide."  LaSalle College Vancouver Library ,  https://guides.lcvlibrary.com/citation .

Check out more  examples of citing online sources  from the MLA Style Center. 

Citing a letter, photograph, text document, graphic material, or ephemera? Consult the  Gerth Archives MLA Citation Guide for Archival Materials .

The following 2019 MLA Student Paper Contest winning essays provide examples of writing in the MLA format:

• “Disrupting White Normativity in Langston Hughes’s ‘I, Too’ and Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’” Alyiah Gonzales, California Polytechnic State University
• “Prescriptions of (Living) Historical Happiness: Gendered Performance and Racial Comfort in Reenactment” Meg Matthias, Miami University, Ohio

How do I make a hanging indent in Word?

1.  Highlight  the citaiton with your cursor. 

2.  Right click. 

3. Select  Paragraph .

4. Under Indentation, select Special and  Hanging .

How can I save time formatting my paper? 

Microsoft Word and Google Docs have a Format Painter tool that will copy and apply basic formatting to any text! 

1.  Highlight  the formatting you want to apply. 

2. Select  Format Painter . 

3.  Highlight  the text you want to change. 

Note:  If using the Format Painter on the Reference List, you'll need to go back and add italics. 

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• Free Tools for Students
• MLA Citation Generator

Free MLA Citation Generator

Generate accurate citations in MLA format automatically, with MyBib!

😕 What is an MLA Citation Generator?

An MLA citation generator is a software tool designed to automatically create academic citations in the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation format. The generator will take information such as document titles, author, and URLs as in input, and output fully formatted citations that can be inserted into the Works Cited page of an MLA-compliant academic paper.

The citations on a Works Cited page show the external sources that were used to write the main body of the academic paper, either directly as references and quotes, or indirectly as ideas.

👩‍🎓 Who uses an MLA Citation Generator?

MLA style is most often used by middle school and high school students in preparation for transition to college and further education. Ironically, MLA style is not actually used all that often beyond middle and high school, with APA (American Psychological Association) style being the favored style at colleges across the country.

It is also important at this level to learn why it's critical to cite sources, not just how to cite them.

🙌 Why should I use a Citation Generator?

Writing citations manually is time consuming and error prone. Automating this process with a citation generator is easy, straightforward, and gives accurate results. It's also easier to keep citations organized and in the correct order.

The Works Cited page contributes to the overall grade of a paper, so it is important to produce accurately formatted citations that follow the guidelines in the official MLA Handbook .

⚙️ How do I use MyBib's MLA Citation Generator?

It's super easy to create MLA style citations with our MLA Citation Generator. Scroll back up to the generator at the top of the page and select the type of source you're citing. Books, journal articles, and webpages are all examples of the types of sources our generator can cite automatically. Then either search for the source, or enter the details manually in the citation form.

The generator will produce a formatted MLA citation that can be copied and pasted directly into your document, or saved to MyBib as part of your overall Works Cited page (which can be downloaded fully later!).

MyBib supports the following for MLA style:

Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

Home > Blog > MLA vs APA Citation: What Are the Differences?

MLA vs APA Citation: What Are the Differences?

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: August 13, 2024
• General Guide About Content and Writing

You’ve just finished your essay, and now you face the daunting task of citing all of your sources. Not only that, but the essay guidelines state that you must cite your references in the correct formatting! MLA, APA, what does it all mean!?

Fear not, we’ve written this super simple guide on the differences between MLA vs APA citations. We’ll cover what they are, when to use them, and why to use them. Let’s dive in!

MLA vs APA: The Key Differences

When writing any academic paper, you have to cite your sources. Failure to do so could possibly lead to penalties for plagiarism . The very last thing you want after hours spent behind your laptop!

Two of the most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). MLA format is mainly used for humanities subjects, such as English, Literature, and Arts. While on the other hand, the APA format is used for social sciences topics, like Psychology, Sociology, and Education.

Both MLA and APA are used in academic writing, but they serve different purposes and have distinct rules. Let’s break those down below.

APA format requires a title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.

The MLA format does not require a separate title page. Instead, your name, instructor’s name, course, and date are placed at the top of the first page.

In-Text Citations

MLA citations include the author’s last name and page number. APA citations include the author’s last name and year of publication, and the page number if quoting directly.

Works Cited vs References

The MLA format lists sources on a “Works Cited” page, while the APA format lists them on a “References” page.

Now that you have an overview of the differences between MLA and APA, let’s take a deep dive into each style.

MLA format is mostly used to credit sources in humanities papers. It helps in giving proper credit to authors and provides readers with a way to find the original sources. You’re essentially giving credit where it’s due to the author of the information you got your idea, fact, or statistic from.

In MLA style, you use parenthetical citations in the text. These include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.

(Smith 123)

If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the citation. So the above becomes:

Smith states that… (123).

Works Cited Page

At the end of the paper, the MLA format requires a “Works Cited” page. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

Smith, John. The Art of Citation. New York: Citation Press, 2020.

MLA Formatting Guidelines

When using MLA in your essays or papers, consider the following:

• Double-space your entire paper, including the Works Cited page.
• Use a legible font like Times New Roman, size 12.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph at one half-inch from the left margin.

Unlike MLA, the APA format is largely used for academic writing in Social Sciences. It helps ensure clarity of communication and provides a consistent structure for citing sources. Again, clarifying to the reader that you are not claiming any statistics as your own findings!

In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If directly quoting, include the page number as well.

(Smith, 2020, p. 123)

If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, include the year in parentheses immediately after the author’s name. So the above becomes:

Smith (2020) states that…

References Page

The APA format requires a “References” page at the end of your paper. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. New York, NY: Citation Press.

APA Formatting Guidelines

If you are using APA style in your essay, keep in mind the following:

• Double-space your entire paper, including the References page.
• Include a page header (also known as the “running head”) at the top of every page.

MLA Style and Parenthetical Citations

The MLA style uses parenthetical citations within the text to credit sources. The citations include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.

Works Cited Entries

Entries in the Works Cited page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is followed by the first name, the title of the source, and publication information.

Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.

In MLA format, titles of sources are capitalized in title case, meaning the first letter of most words is capitalized.

Quotation Marks

For titles of short works like articles, essays, and short stories, the MLA format uses quotation marks.

Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*

APA and In-Text Citation Style

The APA style uses author-date citations within the text to credit sources. These citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication.

Entries within the References page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is then followed by the first initial, the year of publication, the title of the source, and publication information.

Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.

Sentence Case

In APA format, the titles of sources are capitalized in sentence case. This means only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.

The APA format requires a separate title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.

For titles of books, movies, and journals, the APA format uses italics.

Journal Articles

When citing journal articles in APA format, include the volume and issue number, and the page range.

Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.

MLA Examples

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the formatting differences between MLA and APA. Take a look at a few examples of MLA citations below. Have a think about what would be different if they were formatted in APA.

• Book: Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.
• Article: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*
• Webpage or PDF: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Press, 2020, www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation.

APA Examples

Here are a few examples of APA citations. Do the same as before and think about what these APA examples would look like in MLA format.

• Book: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
• Article: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.
• Webpage or PDF: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press. Retrieved from www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are in-text citations.

In-text citations are brief references within the text that give credit to the original sources of information.

How do you format the title page in MLA?

In MLA format, you do not need a separate title page. Instead, place your name, instructor’s name, course, and date at the top of the first page.

How do you format the title page in APA?

In APA format, you need a separate title page that includes the title of the paper. Follow with the author’s name and the institution’s name.

How do you cite a book in MLA format?

Cite a book in the MLA format by listing the author’s last name, first name, and the title of the book in italics. Always include the publication information.

How do you cite a book in APA format?

Cite a book in APA format by listing the author’s last name, first initial, the year of publication in parentheses. Follow this with the title of the book in italics, and the publication information.

MLA vs APA Citation Style: Use Smodin and Excel in Both

There you have it— a thorough but simple breakdown of MLA vs APA citation. Understanding the differences between MLA and APA citation styles is crucial for academic writing. The last thing you want is to be pulled up for self-plagiarism , all because you didn’t use the correct citation formatting!

Just to remind you, MLA is commonly used in Humanities topics while APA is used in Social Sciences. Both APA and MLA ensure that sources are credited properly and that readers can find the original sources.

Ready to master your citations? Enhance your academic writing with Smodin’s AI-powered writing tools. Smodin can help you generate accurate citations, improve your writing, and ensure your papers are top-notch. Visit Smodin today to explore our tools and take your writing to the next level.

• Essay Editor

How to Write a Dialogue in an Essay: Useful Tips

A correct usage of dialogues in essays may seem quite difficult at first sight. Still there are special issues, for instance, narrative or descriptive papers, where this literary technique will be a good helper in depicting anyone's character. How to add dialogues to the work? How to format them correctly? Let's discuss all relevant matters to master putting conversation episodes into academic essays.

Essay Dialogue: Definition & Purpose

A dialogue is a literary technique for presenting a conversation between a few personages. It may be used in cases when a person needs to cite a fragment of fiction or nonfiction works (movies, books, broadcasts, and whatnot). It helps to produce a greater effect in depicting a personage's character or some particular scene in the course of narration. The same goes for personal stories.

Remember that dialogues should not be confused with quotations from books, scientific works, and other sources. It is one of the most widely spread mistakes in academic papers, so to say. To avoid it, just answer the following question. What is the purpose of dialogue in a narrative essay? Its purpose is to produce some emotional impact or to create a specific tone in the narration, whereas the quotes are aimed at supporting the author's words and ideas. The senses are different, you see.

The Basis of Using Dialogue in the Essay

The usage of dialogues in the essays has a creative nature. That is why the works requiring them are usually some sort of the story and this literary device adds a special note to the whole narration – a note of presence and taking part in the events depicted. It is certain to improve the imagery and make the scene more lifelike. 

One more time we'd like to accentuate that research papers and scientific or business projects need quotations and citing. This very technique makes the arguments more reliable and solid. Besides, if you need to acquaint the readers with any topical discussion, for instance, with your colleagues, use direct quotes as well. The main points here are objectivity and clearness. 

When learning how to put dialogues in an essay you'll realize that their aim is not to approve a fact or idea but to create a convincing atmosphere and render a smoother and cuter narration. Here the author may be reflective, subjective, two-minded, emotional, and whatnot. Dialogues are a good opportunity for hooking the audience's interest and explaining the scene presented. Being relevant and authentic are obligatory for a fine essay conversation.

How to Format Dialogue in an Essay

There are a few general standards of formatting, but we strongly recommend you to specify all the details locally, in your department, or by asking the tutor. It's better to be safe than sorry.

• Double quotation marks are for organizing direct discourse.

Example: 

She always told me, "You should master your linguistic skills."

• Single quotation marks are for 'quotes in quotes' cases.

"I remember for a lifetime how my father said 'You can't win them all, Ben!' and clapped on my shoulder," our tutor utters.

• If inserting a full dialogue into the essay is necessary, each person's utterance should be started with a new line. Organize it in a few paragraphs, if needed.

"The snowflakes were like ballerinas," whispered Ann.

"No, no, like sparkling butterflies," Kate tried to argue.

• Always capitalize the first word of the direct discourse, and set lowercase letters if the utterance is broken but finished in the same sentence.

"Let's go to the circus in the morning," Helen started, "and in the evening make a party in the backyard."

One more important point to learn when studying how to properly write a dialogue is correct punctuation.

• Put a comma after the reference words and continue with the quotation marks. If these words come after the direct discourse, put a comma within.

Mike murmured, "Please, accompany me."

"Avoid getting it wet," asked Mother.

• Put a colon when the direct expression has a finished idea.
• A closing mark (period, question, or exclamation mark) must be written before the closing quotation marks.

If the conversation episode appears to be quite large, split it into paragraphs but use only one opening quotation mark at the very beginning, and one closing – at the very end of the unit.

It's important to keep in mind that indirect speech needs no quotation marks at all. 

A Special Focus: APA and MLA issues

The material would not be full without discussing specific features of APA and MLA formats Just look through the table given below to see the difference.

To Cap it All

We hope that the given tips on how to write dialogue in an essay will be quite practical and useful for you. Just be attentive, and remember that conversations in your project are written for creative purposes. Do not confuse them with simple citing. If you have any trouble inserting the issue into the essay, feel free to work with our helper Aithor . It's a reliable and effective essay generator, able to produce dialogues as well.

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Generate accurate MLA citations for free

• Knowledge Base
• How to cite a website in MLA

How to Cite a Website in MLA | Format & Examples

Published on July 17, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on March 5, 2024.

An MLA website citation includes the author’s name , the title of the page (in quotation marks), the name of the website (in italics), the publication date , and the URL (without “https://”).

If the author is unknown, start with the title of the page instead. If the publication date is unknown, or if the content is likely to change over time, add an access date at the end instead.

Websites don’t usually have page numbers, so the in-text citation is just the author name in parentheses. If you already named the author in your sentence, you don’t need to add a parenthetical citation.

You can also use our free MLA Citation Generator to effortlessly create website citations.

Generate accurate MLA citations with Scribbr

The format differs for other types of online content, such as YouTube videos , TED Talks , and podcasts .

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Table of contents

Citing online articles, citing web pages with no author or date, citing an entire website, publishers in mla website citations, frequently asked questions about mla style.

The format for citing an article from an online newspaper , magazine, or blog is the same as a general web page citation. If the article is a PDF of a print article, the format differs slightly .

Write the article title in title case (all major words capitalized). Use the most recent publication date on the page, including the day, month, and year if available.

Note, however, that a different format is used when citing online articles from academic journals.

Learn how to cite journal articles in MLA

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If no author is credited, leave out this element, and start with the title of the page or article instead.

Use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation. The shortened title must match the first words of your Works Cited entry.

If no publication date is available, leave out this element, and include the date on which you accessed the page at the end.

Note that a specific format exists for citing online dictionary entries .

If you cite a whole website, there is usually no named author, so the Works Cited entry begins with the name of the website in italics.

If the website has a publication or copyright date (usually found in the footer), include this; if not, add the date when you accessed the website at the end of the citation.

When should you cite a whole website?

Most of the time, you should cite the specific page or article where you found the information. However, you might have to cite the entire website if you are giving a general overview of its content, referring only to the homepage, or quoting text that appears on many different pages across the site (such as a company’s slogan).

If you cite multiple pages or articles from the same website, you should include a separate Works Cited entry for each one.

If the publisher is the same as the name of the website, you leave it out of the citation to avoid repetition.

If a source has no author, start the MLA Works Cited entry with the source title . Use a shortened version of the title in your MLA in-text citation .

If a source has no page numbers, you can use an alternative locator (e.g. a chapter number, or a timestamp for a video or audio source) to identify the relevant passage in your in-text citation. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the author’s name (or the title).

If you already named the author or title in your sentence, and there is no locator available, you don’t need a parenthetical citation:

• Rajaram  argues that representations of migration are shaped by “cultural, political, and ideological interests.”
• The homepage of The Correspondent describes it as “a movement for radically different news.”

If a source has two authors, name both authors in your MLA in-text citation and Works Cited entry. If there are three or more authors, name only the first author, followed by et al.

Yes. MLA style uses title case, which means that all principal words (nouns, pronouns , verbs, adjectives , adverbs , and some conjunctions ) are capitalized.

This applies to titles of sources as well as the title of, and subheadings in, your paper. Use MLA capitalization style even when the original source title uses different capitalization .

The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style , but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals , newspapers , websites , or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published. For example:

Use the same formatting in the Works Cited entry and when referring to the article in the text itself.

The fastest and most accurate way to create MLA citations is by using Scribbr’s MLA Citation Generator .

Search by book title, page URL, or journal DOI to automatically generate flawless citations, or cite manually using the simple citation forms.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2024, March 05). How to Cite a Website in MLA | Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 14, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/website-citation/

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MLA Tables, Figures, and Examples

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The purpose of visual materials or other illustrations is to enhance the audience's understanding of information in the document and/or awareness of a topic. Writers can embed several types of visuals using most basic word processing software: diagrams, musical scores, photographs, or, for documents that will be read electronically, audio/video applications. Because MLA style is most often used in the humanities, it is unlikely that you will include raw scientific data in an MLA-style paper, but you may be asked to include other kinds of research in your writing. For additional information on writing a research paper in MLA style, visit the MLA Style Center’s page on Formatting a Research Paper .

General guidelines

• Collect sources. Gather the source information required for MLA documentation for the source medium of the illustration (e.g. print, Web, podcast).
• Determine what types of illustrations best suit your purpose. Consider the purpose of each illustration, how it contributes to the purpose of the document and the reader's understanding, and whether the audience will be able to view and/or understand the illustration easily.
• Use illustrations of the best quality. Avoid blurry, pixilated, or distorted images for both print and electronic documents. Often pixelation and distortion occurs when writers manipulate image sizes. Keep images in their original sizes or use photo editing software to modify them. Reproduce distorted graphs, tables, or diagrams with spreadsheet or publishing software, but be sure to include all source information. Always represent the original source information faithfully and avoid unethical practices of false representation or manipulation  (this is considered plagiarism) .
• Use illustrations sparingly. Decide what items can best improve the document's ability to augment readers' understanding of the information, appreciation for the subject, and/or illustration of the main points. Do not provide illustrations for illustrations' sake. Scrutinize illustrations for how potentially informative or persuasive they can be.
• Do not use illustrations to boost page length. In the case of student papers, instructors often do not count the space taken up by visual aids toward the required page length of the document. Remember that texts explain, while illustrations enhance. Illustrations cannot carry the entire weight of the document.

Labels, captions, and source information

Illustrations appear directly embedded in the document, except in the case of manuscripts that are being prepared for publication. (For preparing manuscripts with visual materials for publication, see Note on Manuscripts below.) Each illustration must include a label, a number, a caption and/or source information.

• The illustration label and number should always appear in two places:  the document main text (e.g. see fig. 1 ) and near the illustration itself ( Fig. 1 ).
• Captions  provide titles or explanatory notes (e.g., Van Gogh’s The Starry Night)
• Source information  documentation will always depend upon the medium of the source illustration. If you provide source information with all of your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.

MLA documentation for tables, figures, and examples

MLA provides three designations for document illustrations: tables, figures, and examples (see specific sections below).

• Refer to the table and its corresponding numeral in-text. Do not capitalize the word table. This is typically done in parentheses (e.g. "(see table 2)").
• Situate the table near the text to which it relates.
• Align the table flush-left to the margin.
• Label the table 'Table' and provide its corresponding Arabic numeral. No punctuation is necessary after the label and number (see example below).
• On the next line, provide a caption for the table, most often the table title. Use title case.
• Place the table below the caption, flush-left, making sure to maintain basic MLA style formatting (e.g. one-inch margins).
• Below the title, signal the source information with the descriptor "Source," followed by a colon, then provide the correct MLA bibliographic information for the source in note form (see instructions and examples above). If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
• If additional caption information or explanatory notes is necessary, use lowercase letters formatted in superscript in the caption information or table. Below the source information, indent, provide a corresponding lowercase letter (not in superscript), a space, and the note.
• Labels, captions, and notes are double-spaced.

Table Example

In-text reference:

In 1985, women aged 65 and older were 59% more likely than men of the same age to reside in a nursing home, and though 11,700 less women of that age group were enrolled in 1999, men over the same time period ranged from 30,000 to 39,000 persons while women accounted for 49,000 to 61,500 (see table 1).

Table reference:

Rate of Nursing Home Residence among People Age 65 or Older, by Sex and Age Group, 1985, 1995, 1997, 1999 a

Example Table

Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being , Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Mar. 2008, table 35A.

a. Note: Rates for 65 and over category are age-adjusted using the 2000 standard population. Beginning in 1997, population figures are adjusted for net underenumeration using the 1990 National Population Adjustment Matrix from the U.S. Census Bureau. People residing in personal care or domiciliary care homes are excluded from the numerator.

• All visuals/illustrations that are not tables or musical score examples (e.g. maps, diagrams, charts, videos, podcasts, etc.) are labeled Figure or Fig.
• Refer to the figure in-text and provide an Arabic numeral that corresponds to the figure. Do not capitalize figure or fig .
• MLA does not specify alignment requirements for figures; thus, these images may be embedded as the reader sees fit. However, continue to follow basic MLA Style formatting (e.g. one-inch margins).
• Below the figure, provide a label name and its corresponding arabic numeral (no bold or italics), followed by a period (e.g. Fig. 1.). Here, Figure and Fig . are capitalized.
• Beginning with the same line as the label and number, provide a title and/or caption as well as relevant source information in note form (see instructions and examples above). If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
• If full citation information is provided in the caption, use the same formatting as you would for your Works Cited page. However, names should be listed in  first name last name  format.

Figure Example

Some readers found Harry’s final battle with Voldemort a disappointment, and recently, the podcast, MuggleCast debated the subject (see fig. 2).

Figure caption (below an embedded podcast file for a document to be viewed electronically):

Fig. 2. Harry Potter and Voldemort final battle debate from Andrew Sims et al.; “Show 166”; MuggleCast ; MuggleNet.com, 19 Dec. 2008, www.mugglenet.com/2015/11/the-snape-debate-rowling-speaks-out.

Musical Illustrations/"Examples"

• The descriptor "Example" only refers to musical illustrations (e.g. portions of a musical score). It is often abbreviated "ex ." 
• Refer to the example in-text and provide an Arabic numeral that corresponds to the example. Do not capitalize "example" or "ex "  in the text.
• Supply the illustration, making sure to maintain basic MLA Style formatting (e.g. one-inch margins).
• Below the example, provide the label (capitalizing Example or Ex . ) and number and a caption or title. The caption or title will often take the form of source information along with an explanation, for example, of what part of the score is being illustrated. If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.

Musical Illustration Example

In Ambroise Thomas's opera Hamlet,  the title character's iconic theme first appears in Act 1. As Hamlet enters the castle's vacant grand hall following his mother's coronation, the low strings begin playing the theme (ex 1).

Musical Illustration reference:

Ex. 1: Hamlet's Theme

Source: Thomas, Ambroise. Hamlet . 1868.

Source information and note form

Notes serve two purposes: to provide bibliographic information and to provide additional context for information in the text. When it comes to citing illustrations, using notes allows for the bibliographic information as close to the illustration as possible.

Note form entries appear much like standard MLA bibliographic entries with a few exceptions:

• Author names are in First_Name—Last_Name format.
• Commas are substituted for periods (except in the case of the period that ends the entry).
• Publication information for books (publisher, year) appears in parentheses.
• Relevant page numbers follow the publication information.

Note: Use semicolons to denote entry sections when long series of commas make these sections difficult to ascertain as being like or separate (see examples below.) The MLA Handbook  (8 th ed.) states that if the table or illustration caption provides complete citation information about the source and the source is not cited in the text, authors do not need to list the source in the Works Cited list.

For additional information, visit the MLA Style Center’s page on Using Notes in MLA Style .

Examples - Documenting source information in "Note form"

The following examples provide information on how a note might look following an illustration. Write the word “Source” immediately before your source note. If an illustration requires more than one note, label additional notes with lowercase letters, starting with a (see the note underneath the example table above).

Tom Shachtman, Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold  (Houghton Mifflin, 1999), p. 35.

Website (using semicolons to group like information together)

United States; Dept. of Commerce; Census Bureau; Manufacturing, Mining, and Construction Statistics; Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits ; US Dept. of Commerce, 5 Feb. 2008; Table 1a.

In this example, the commas in Manufacturing, Mining, and Construction Statistics prompt the need for semicolons in order for the series information to be read easily. Even if Manufacturing, Mining, and Construction Statistics had not appeared in the entry, the multiple "author names" of United States, Dept. of Commerce, and Census Bureau would have necessitated the use of a semicolon before and after the title and between ensuing sections to the end of the entry.

Furthermore, the publisher and date in a standard entry are separated by a comma and belong together; thus, their inclusion here (US Dept. of Commerce, 5 Feb. 2008) also necessitates the semicolons.

Note on manuscripts

Do not embed illustrations (tables, figures, or examples) in manuscripts for publication. Put placeholders in the text to show where the illustrations will go. Type these placeholders on their own line, flush left, and bracketed (e.g. [table 1]). At the end of the document, provide label, number, caption, and source information in an organized list. Send files for illustrations in the appropriate format to your editor separately. If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.