Quick MLA Style Guide
This brief guide provides format examples for a Works Cited list done in the MLA (Modern Language Association) style. For more detailed information or format examples for other types of sources, consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Sixth Edition, 2003. The library keeps a copy at the Information Services Desk.
Print Sources
Note: The Works Cited list of a research paper should be double spaced throughout.
Book - Single Author
Angelou, Maya. The complete Collected Poems of May Angelou. New York: Random House, 1994.
Book - Multiple Authors
Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martinâ's Guide to Writing. 4th ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1999.
Note: If more than 3 authors, you may list the first author only and then type "et al" - meaning "and others."
Book - Corporate/Organization Author
U. S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2002-2003 ed. Washington, DC: Bernan, 2002.
Book - Unknown or No Author
The HarperCollins World Atlas. New York: Scott, Foresman, 2001.
Edited Book
Williams, Michael W., ed. The African American Encyclopedia. 6 vols. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002.
Chapter or Article in an Edited Book
Milton, John. Paradise Lost. Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Maynard Mack, et al. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1992. 2179-2199.
General Encyclopedia - Unsigned Article
"Amendment." The Encyclopedia Americana. 2000 ed.
General Encyclopedia - Signed Article
Murphy, Bruce Allen. "Civil Rights." The World Book Encyclopedia. 2000 ed.
Journal Article - One Author Continuous Pagination
Farmer, Kathleen U. "Biofeedback and Visualization for Peak Performance." Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 4 (1999): 59- 64
Journal Article - Multiple Author - Continuous Pagination
Scott, M. Janine, and Jesse Palmer. "Eight Principles for -Total Quality- Schools." Education 115 (1999): 139-43.
Sellards, Suzanne, and Mary Etta Mills. "Administrative Issues for Use of Nurse Practitioners." Journal of Nursing Administration 25.5 (1999): 64-70.
Note: 25 is the volume number and 5 is the issue number.
Magazine Article
Norment, Lynn. "50 Years of Fashion and Beauty." Ebony Aug. 1999: 115-18+.
Magazine Article - Unsigned
"Panther's Passage." People 18 May 1998: 70.
Newspaper Article - Daily
Weidner, David. "Scientists Have Some Success against Disease with Nicotine." Winston-Salem Journal 28 Aug. 2000, city ed.: B1+.
Newspaper Article - Daily - No Author:
"Cambodian Orphans Use Internet to Reach Out." Winston-Salem Journal 15 Jan. 2001, city ed.: A2.
Newspaper Article - Unsigned Editorial:
"No Golden Opportunity." Editorial. The Wall Street Journal 4 Feb. 2002: A22.
Electronic Sources
Examples:
-
Full-Text Journal Article Accessed through an Online Database:
FORMAT: Author. "Article title." Journal title Vol #.Issue # (Year): Page
#. Title of database. Vendor name -- i.e., EBSCO,. Place of access.
Date of access.
EXAMPLE: Henry, Sheila E. "Ethnic Identity, Nationalism, and
Journal of Black Studies 29.3 (1999):
438. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. C.G. O'Kelly Library,
Winston-Salem. 25 Feb. 2001. -
Article from an Electronic Magazine on the World Wide Web:
FORMAT: Author. "Article title." Magazine title Date of publication.
Date of access <network address>.
EXAMPLE: Jeffries, Paul. "If You Don't Have a Job by Graduation."
Black Collegian Online Apr. 1998. 9 Aug. 1999
http://www.black-collegian.com/ Apr98/Contents4.html. -
Full-Text Journal Article on CD-ROM:
FORMAT:Author. "Article title." Journal title Vol. #.Issue # (Year): Page
#. Title of the database. Publication medium--i.e., CD-ROM.
Vendor name. Electronic publication date.
EXAMPLE: Smitherman, Geneva. "The Chain
Remain the Same:Communicative Practices in the Hip Hop Nation."
Journal of Black Studies 28 (1997): 3-25.
Periodical Abstracts-Research I.
CD-ROM. Proquest. 2002. -
Website:
FORMAT: Author. Title of site or description of site. Name of
organization or institution associated with site. Date of access
<network address>.
EXAMPLE: Jackson, John. Salute to Pioneering Cartoonists of Color.
Cartoonists. 25 Feb. 1999 http://CLStoons.com
General Guidelines
Citations With Text:
Brief parenthetical citations are inserted within the text wherever you incorporate another's words, facts, or ideas. Each parenthetical citation contains only enough information to enable the reader to find the corresponding fully documented source in the list of Works Cited. Usually the author's last name and the page numbers referred to are enclosed in parentheses. But if the author has already been identified in the text, only the page numbers are enclosed in parentheses. (See the two examples below.) For a more detailed discussion of parenthetical citations or examples of other types of citations within text, consult the MLA Handbook, Chapter 6
This same point is made by others (Smith 152-64). Smith makes this same point (152-64).Margins and Spacing:
Both top/bottom margins and left/right margins should be set at 1 inch. Indent the first word of each paragraph ½" from the left margin. Indent set-off quotations 1 inch from the left margin. A research paper should be double-spaced throughout, including quotations, notes, and the Works Cited list.
Page Numbering:
Number all pages consecutively throughout the research paper, including the first page and Works Cited page(s), 1/2" from the top of the paper, flush with the right margin. Include your last name before each page number.
Author's Name(s):
Reverse the order of the author's name (only the first if there is more than one). If there are more than three authors, you may list the first author only and then type "et al" (e.g., Smith, John, et al.) - meaning "and others."
Titles:
For complete works always list the title as it appears on the title page. Capitalize the first, last, and all principle words. Titles of complete works are italicized or underlined (i.e., books, journals). Titles of works published within complete works are placed in quotation marks (i.e., articles, chapters).
Publication Information for Books:
Provide the city of publication, the publisher's name, and the date of publication. Only use information that is provided within the book itself.
