MLA Style Help

In-text Citations (Part 1)

• Must refer identically to Works Cited
• Specifically identify where found in text, such as a page number
• Rules for quotation usage in Paper Format
• Place the citation where a pause would naturally occur
• You do not need to state the medium of the source, unless it is needed for clarification.
• Citation Examples
  • Part of Work
  • Listed by Title
  • Same Source, Same Paragraph
  • Works by the Same Author
  • Works by Multiple Authors
  • Different Works, Same Parenthesis
  • Time-based Media

Citing Part of a Work (Part 1)

• Use page numbers when provided
  • Precede with author and page number with no other punctuation if not explicit in text
  • If more than one volume used in works cited, include volume as well
  • Example: (Carlson 10)
• If text uses a different numbering system other than page numbers, use it instead with a label
  • Example for a paragraph number: (Carlson par. 2)
  • Example for a chapter number: (Carlson ch. 5)
• If no numbering system exists, do not create one

Citing a Work Listed by Title (Part 1)

• Use when entry in Works Cited is listed by title
  • Example: In MLA Style Help, the author...
• Use full title or abbreviate
  • If abbreviating, always use the world that it is alphabetized by in Works Cited

Citing the Same Source in the Same Paragraph (Part 2-3.5)

• If using the same source without interruption in the same paragraph
  • First reference (Author Page#)
  • Second reference (Page#)
• Example: Understanding MLA format is import to successful writing (Carlson 10). Successful writing can then lead to success in life (12).

Citing Works by the Same Author (Part 1)

• Use only if the author cannot be differentiated in the cited works (ie more than one work cited by the author)
• If citing parenthetically only, use a comma after the author followed by the title (or shortened version)
  • Example: (Carlson, "MLA" 10)
• If author's name is in text, only provide title and page information in parenthesis
  • Example: Carlson said blah ("MLA" 10).

Works by Multiple Authors (Part 2-3.1)

• Works by 2 authors can be joined by using and
  • Example: (Carlson and Edwards 10)
• Works by 3 or more authors use the first author followed by et al.
  • Example: (Carlson et al. 10)

Citing More than One Work in the Parenthesis (Part 1)

• Cite normally
• Include semicolon ( ; ) between references

Citing Time-Based Media (Part 1)

• Include hours, minutes, and seconds from the media player
  • Example ("MLA" 01:05:16-35)

Abbreviations in Citations

• Months that are longer than 4 letters should be abbreviated.
• Countries and states should be abbreviated, but not cities.
• For a list of common words that should be abbreviated in citations, click here.