How to Cite a Website in MLA Format (In‑Text)
2025-09-04 - 22:44
Understanding MLA In‑Text Citations
When you reference a website in a research paper, the MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires a brief in‑text citation that directs readers to the full entry on the Works Cited page. The citation typically includes the author’s last name or the title if no author is listed, followed by a page number—if applicable. Since most web pages lack page numbers, the citation often ends after the author’s name.
Basic Format for a Website
The standard in‑text citation for a website with a known author looks like this:
(Smith)
If you mention the author in the sentence, only the parenthetical citation is needed:
According to Smith, the new policy will… (Smith).
When the author is not available, use a shortened version of the page title in quotation marks:
(“Climate Change”)
Again, if the title appears in the narrative, the parenthetical citation can be omitted.
When No Author Is Available
For webpages without an author, the citation relies on the title. Use the first few words of the title (enclosed in quotation marks) and omit any punctuation at the end:
(“Digital Literacy”)
If the title is long, shorten it to the first few significant words. This practice keeps the citation concise while still guiding readers to the correct source.
Multiple Works by the Same Author
If you cite several webpages by the same author, differentiate them by adding a short form of the title after the author’s name:
(Johnson, “Online Learning”) and (Johnson, “Virtual Classrooms”)
This method prevents confusion and ensures each citation points to the proper entry on the Works Cited page.
Tips for SEO‑Friendly Content
Incorporating HTML tags like <h1>, <h2>, and <p> not only structures your article for readers but also signals search engines about the hierarchy of information. Use bold and italic sparingly to highlight key terms such as “MLA,” “in‑text citation,” and “website.” Including the keyword “Citation” at the very beginning reinforces relevance for search queries related to citation guidelines.
By following these simple steps, you can accurately cite any website in MLA format, keep your paper academically honest, and boost the SEO performance of your online content.
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