When working on your papers for FYS, or for your other classes, it's important to know how to give credit to the authors of the articles and books that you've used as sources. The basic purpose of a citation is to communicate this credit and to allow someone else to find the source that you used.
These resources will help you know how to cite in MLA format. If you find you have a professor who wants a different citation style, jump to the bottom of the page or ask a librarian!
- MLA Handbook: Quick Style Guide
Use this to get a list of all the elements that need to be included in a MLA citation. See the front desk or reference section of the library for a print copy of the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
- MLA Citation Template
Use this interactive template to create works-cited-list entries in MLA style.
- "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL, Purdue U Writing Lab.
This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (9th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
What is MLA Style?
Watch the video below to understand what MLA Style is and discover tools that will help you learn more about this writing style and its guidelines.
MLA: In-Text Citations and Works Cited Pages
Watch this video to learn about in-text citations & Works Cited Pages and how they work together.
MLA: Using Direct Quotations
Watch this video for tips on directing quoting a source in MLA style.
MLA: Paraphrasing and Summarizing Sources
Watch this video to learn about paraphrasing or summarizing a source in MLA Style.
Other Citation Styles
Different professional organizations, academic fields, and journals will have specific ways that they want you to present the information in a citation. Professors will pick one of these and ask you to follow it for your bibliography or works cited page.
Common citation styles include:
- Chicago Manual of Style online This link opens in a new window
The Chicago Manual of Style is commonly used by scholars in history, business, and fine arts. this searchable edition provides recommendations on editorial style and publishing practices for the digital age. The full contents of the latest edition of the Manual are available.
