MLA Citations: In-Text and Works Cited Page Basics

MLA Citations: In-Text Citing and the Works Cited Page

MLA (Modern Language Association) citations are a widely recognized format for citing sources in the humanities, particularly in literature and language-related disciplines. As an author, you'll often need to use MLA citations to give credit to the sources and ideas you're referencing in your work. Let's delve into the basics of MLA citations, focusing on in-text citations, the works cited page, and best practices for formatting, quoting, and paraphrasing.

In-Text Citations

MLA in-text citations provide readers with relevant source information directly within the body of your work. This helps readers understand the context of the information and where it came from. To create an in-text citation, follow these general guidelines:

1. Use parentheses to enclose the author's last name and the page number.
2. Place the citation at the end of the sentence or clause it refers to.
3. Use the ampersand (&) to separate the author's last names when there are more than two authors in a work.

Example: (Smith 87) or (Smith & Jones 45-46)

Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is a critical component of the MLA citation system. It provides a comprehensive list of all the sources you cited in the body of your work. To create a Works Cited page:

1. Place the Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your paper.
2. Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the page.
3. Double-space all entries and the entire Works Cited page.
4. Align the left margin of each entry to the left margin of the page.
5. Use hanging indents for the second and subsequent lines of each entry.

MLA Citation Style

The MLA citation style is characterized by a few key features, such as:

1. Last name, first name of the author(s)
2. Title of the source, in title case (capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon or a dash, and proper nouns)
3. Title of the container (the larger work in which the source appears), italicized and used when applicable
4. Other contributors (translators, editors, etc.)
5. Version (edition, volume, or chapter number)
6. Publisher name
7. Location (city, state, or country of publication)
8. Date of publication
9. Medium of publication (print or electronic)

Formatting Guidelines

1. Double-space the entire paper, including the Works Cited page.
2. Use 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).
3. Typically, use Times New Roman font, size 12.
4. Use in-text citations that provide enough information for readers to locate the source in the Works Cited page.

Quoting and Paraphrasing in MLA

When quoting a source, be sure to:

1. Use double quotation marks around the exact words from the source.
2. Include the page number or location in the in-text citation.

When paraphrasing a source, be sure to:

1. Summarize the information in your own words.
2. Use in-text citations to credit the original source.

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating a polished and professional paper using MLA citations. For more detailed information, consult the MLA Handbook, 9th edition, or other reputable resources for guidance on MLA citations.