15 MLA Formatting

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MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a citation format commonly used in the humanities, including English, literature, and language studies. It provides guidelines for writers to follow when referencing sources in their written work, including in-text citations and works cited pages. The following guide will provide an overview of the basics of citing sources in MLA style.

In-text citations

In-text citations are used to acknowledge the sources of information used in a written work. They provide brief information about the source and direct the reader to the full citation in the works cited page. In-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source, separated by a space.

For example:

According to Smith (56), social support is an important factor in reducing stress levels.

Alternatively, if the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number(s) needs to be included in the citation.

For example:

Smith found that social support is an important factor in reducing stress levels (56).

If the source has multiple authors, include all authors’ last names in the citation, separated by the word “and.” If the source has more than three authors, include the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”

For example:

Recent studies (Johnson, Lee, and Smith 21) have shown that exercise can improve mental health.

Works cited page

The works cited page is a comprehensive list of all sources cited in a written work. It should be arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there are multiple sources by the same author, list them in chronological order with the oldest first. Each citation should include the author’s last name, first name, title of the work, publication information (publisher, city, and year), and page numbers (if applicable).

For example:

Smith, John. The Role of Social Support in Reducing Stress Levels. University of Chicago Press, 2010, pp. 45-56.

Johnson, Rachel A., et al. The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 20, no. 1, 2018, pp. 34-45.

Electronic sources

When citing electronic sources, include the same information as for print sources, but also include the medium of publication (e.g. web, database, etc.) and the date of access.

For example:

Jones, Tom. The Impact of Social Media on Self-esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, vol. 20, no. 2, 2017, pp. 101-110. Academic Search Premier, doi: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0320. Accessed 23 March 2023.

Smith, John. The Role of Mindfulness in Stress Reduction. Psychology Today, 12 December 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfulness-in-everyday-life/201912/the-role-mindfulness-in-stress-reduction. Accessed 23 March 2023.

Additional considerations

MLA style also includes guidelines for formatting the first page of a document, headings, margins, and spacing. These guidelines should be followed closely to ensure consistency throughout the document.

In summary, citing sources in MLA style requires careful attention to detail and consistency. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and page number(s), while works cited pages should include complete information about each source cited in the document. Electronic sources should include the medium of publication and the date of access. By following these guidelines, writers can ensure that their work is properly cited and can be easily located by others in the future.

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