Wamego High School Library
Return to the Library Research Tips page.MLA Citation Format
For other examples and more complete information, consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (REF 808 GIB) or login to www.thewritesource.com/mla.htm (Writer's INC site).References to Books | Government Publications | Encyclopedias & Dictionaries |
Periodical Articles | Newspaper Articles | Electronic Sources | Other Sources
General Format Instructions for Text:
- Use 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
- Use only one side of the paper.
- Do not justify the right margin.
- Leave 1" margins on all sides (excluding page numbers, which are positioned in the upper right margin, 1/2" from the top).
- Double space throughout the text.
- Indent paragraphs 1/2" or 5 spaces.
- Indent set-off quotations 1" or 10 spaces from the left margin.
Format for Citation Within the Text
- Include only enough information to enable the reader to identify the source in the Works Cited list.
- If the author’s name is included in the text, only the page number is needed within the parentheses.
- If the author’s name is not included in the text, the parenthetical information should include the author’s last name and the page from which the information is taken, e.g. (Smith 31).
- If more than one work by the author is listed in the Works Cited, the parenthetical information should include the author’s last name, a shortened version of the title, and the page, e.g. (Smith, Survey 31).
Format for Works Cited Page
- Begin on a new page.
- Number each page, continuing the page numbers of the text.
- Page numbers appear in the upper right-hand corner, 1/2" from the top and flush with the right margin.
- Center Works Cited 1" from the top.
- Double space between this and the first entry.
- Begin flush with the left margin; indent subsequent lines of same entry 1/2" or 5 spaces from left margin.
- Double space throughout.
- Alphabetize entries by author’s last name (letter by letter, before the comma).
- If there is no author, alphabetize by title.
REFERENCES TO BOOKS
Single author -Clark, Kenneth. What Is a Masterpiece? London: Thames, 1979.
Anthology or compliation, one author -
Gunn, Giles, ed. Literature and Religion. New York: Harper, 1971.
Two or more authors -
Blocker, Clyde E., Robert H. Plummer, and Richard C. Richardson, Jr. The
Two-Year College: A Social Synthesis. Englewood Cliffs:Prentice, 1965.
Book Review -Ashton, Sherley. Rev. of Death and Dying by David L. Bender and Richard C.
Hagen. Humanist July-Aug. 1982: 60.
Single Work from an Anthology -Paley, Grace. "A Warning." Telling and Remembering: A Century
of American Jewish Poetry. Ed. Steven J. Rubin. Boston:GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONSBeacon, 1997.
United Nations. Centre for National Resources. State Petroleum Enterprises in
Developing Countries. Elmsford: Pergamon, 1980.ENCYCLOPEDIAS AND DICTIONARIES
Chiappini, Luciano. "Este, House of." Encyclopedia Britannica:Macropedia.
1974 ed.PERIODICAL ARTICLES (general guidelines)
Booth, Wayne C. "Kenneth Burke's Way of Knowing." Critical Inquiry 1
(1974): 1-22.NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Collins, Glenn. "Single-Father Survey Finds Adjustment a Problem." New York
Times 21 Nov. 1983, late ed.: B17.ELECTRONIC SOURCES
Web Site (Professional) -
ESPN.com. 12 Nov. 1999. ESPN Internet Ventures. 24 Nov. 1999
<http://espn.go.com>.
Article Within a Web Site -Devitt, Terry. "Flying High." The Why Files. 9 Dec. 1999. University of
Wisconsin, Board of Regents. 4 Jan. 2000<http://whyfiles.news.wisc.edu/shorties/kite.html>.
Article Within a Web Site (Anonymous) -"Becoming a Meterologist." Weather.com. 12 Nov. 1999. The Weather
Channel. 24 Nov. 1999<http://weather.com/learn_more/resources/metro.html>
Web Site (Personal) -Hamilton, Calvin J. Views of the Solar System. 12 Nov. 1999
<http://solarviews.com/eng/homepage.html>
Online Government Document -United States. U. S. Census Bureau. Poverty in the United States: 1998.
Sept. 1999. 12 Nov. 1999<http://www.census.gov/prod/98pubs/p60-207.pdf>.
Article from On-Line Computer Service (Also in Print) -Williams, Vanessa. "D. C. Votes to Limit Teeange Drivers: Council Sets 18 at
Minimum Age for Full License." Washington Post 3 Nov. 1999,Article from Online Computer Service (Volume Number Included) -final ed.: A1. National Newspapers. ProQuest. Gateway
Technical College, Elkhorn Campus Library. 12 Nov. 1999*
<http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb>
*Note: When you use a library to access a subscription service, add the name of the database if known (underlined), the service, and the library. (Add them before the date of access.) Then give the Internet address for the home page of the service, if you know it.
"Senate Approves New Alternative Fuel." National Petyroleum News 90.9
(Sept. 1998): 36 (1/6p.). MasterFILE Premier. EBSCOhost.OTHER SOURCESLynchburg Public Library. 12 Nov. 1999.
<http://www.ebscohost.com>.
Films, filmstrips, slide programs and videotapes -
Creation vs. Evolution: "Battle of the Classroom." Videocassette. Dir. Ryall
Wilson. PBS Video, 1982. 58 min.Musical compositions -Beethoven, Ludwig van. Symphony No. 7 in A. Op. 92. Kalmus
Miniature Orchestra Scores 7. New York: Kalmus, n.d.Television or Radio Program -Middlemarch. By George Eliot. Adapt. Andrew Davies.Dir. Anthony Pope.
Perf. Juliet Aubrey and Patric Malahide. 6 episodes. MasterpiecePersonal Interview -Theatre. Introd. Russell Baker. PBS. WGBH, Boston.
10 Apr.-15 May 1994.
Smith, John. Personal interview. 22 March 1996.
Computer software -
Kilgus, Robert G. Color Scripsit. Computer software. Tandy, 1981.
TR-S 80, cartridge.
WHS Library home page.