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Citations allow you to:
Any time you write something that did not 100% come from your own brain, you need to site where you got the information. This means you will include a citation anytime you use some else's words or idea in your own work. Including:
You do not need to document:
If you are not sure, it is better to over cite and under cite.
The new edition of MLA citation style was designed to simplify the process of citing your sources. Now, every source type will follow the same general format, which requires the same core elements in the same order.
For more guidelines and examples, check out the MLA Style Center In-Text Citations Overview.
Basic Format:
(Last Name Page #)
Or, introduce direct quotes with the author and title within the sentence or paragraph, then include the page number(s) at the end of the quote in parentheses.
I'm citing...
Format | Description | Example |
1 Author | You only need the author's last name and the page number. | (Burke 3) |
2 Authors | Connect both authors' last names with "and", and include the page number | (Best and Marcus 9) |
3 or More Authors | Use the first author's last name and et al., and include the page number | (Franck et al. 327) |
No Authors | Use a shortened title of the work. | ("Impact of Global Warming") |
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For more information: |
Book with No Author
Title. Publisher, year.
Book with One Author
Author's Last name, First name. Title, Publisher, Date.
Book With two Authors
1st Author's Last Name, First Name, and 2nd authors first and last name. Title. Publisher, Date.
Book with Three or More Authors
1st Author's Last Name, First Name, et al. Title. Publisher, Date.
Academic Journal accessed through a database
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Journal, Volume, Issue, Date, Pages. Name of Database, DOI or URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Magazine Article (Online)
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Magazine, Date on Web, Pages (if any), URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Newspaper Accessed through a Database
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Name of Newspaper, Date, Pages. Name of Database. DOI or URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Podcast
Last Name, First Name, role. "Title of Episode." Title of Program, season, episode, Sponsor, Date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Website
Last Name, First Name, role. Title of Site. Publisher, Date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.