How to Reference in MLA Style: A Quick Guide
2025-09-30 - 05:39
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Modern Language Association (MLA) formatting is the goâto style for humanities papers. Knowing the essential rules for inâtext citations and the Works Cited page will help you avoid common pitfalls and keep your writing professional. This article breaks down the core elements of MLA referencing in a concise, SEOâfriendly format.
Basic MLA Format
Every MLA paper follows a consistent layout:
- Margins: 1âinch on all sides.
- Font: Readable 12âpoint (Times New Roman is preferred).
- Line spacing: Doubleâspaced throughout, including the Works Cited list.
- Header: Your last name and page number in the upper right corner.
- Title: Centered, without bold or underline; use title case.
InâText Citations
MLA uses the authorâpage format. Place the citation at the end of the referenced sentence, inside parentheses:
(Smith 45) â where âSmithâ is the authorâs last name and â45â is the page number. If the authorâs name appears in the sentence, only the page number is needed:
According to Smith, the results were inconclusive (45).
For sources with no author, use a shortened title in quotation marks:
(âGlobal Warmingâ 22).
Works Cited Entries
The Works Cited page lists every source referenced in your text. Follow these formatting rules:
- Alphabetical order: Arrange entries by the authorâs last name.
- Hanging indent: The second and subsequent lines of each entry are indented 0.5 inches.
- Basic structure: Authorâs Last Name, First Name. Title of Source. Publisher, Publication Year.
Example:
Smith, John. Understanding Modern Poetry. Oxford University Press, 2021.
Common Source Types
Below are quick templates for frequently cited materials:
- Book: Authorâs Last Name, First Name. Title. Publisher, Year.
- Journal article: Authorâs Last Name, First Name. âArticle Title.â Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xxâxx.
- Website: Authorâs Last Name, First Name (if available). âPage Title.â Website Name, Publisher (if different), Publication date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
- Film: Title of Film. Directed by Directorâs Name, performance by Lead Actor(s), Production Company, Year.
By mastering these core components, youâll produce clean, accurate MLA citations that enhance the credibility of your work. For more detailed scenariosâsuch as multiple authors, no page numbers, or translated worksâconsult the latest MLA Handbook or reputable online guides.
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