How do I cite in MLA style?
Answer
MLA style is based on a few guiding principles, rather than an extensive list of specific rules. The MLA Handbook and the MLA style website describes how to cite sources and provides examples of citations.
MLA is simple and flexible, and it is easier to apply than other styles. MLA features parenthetical in-text citations and an alphabetized list of references at the end. Entries for the list of works cited must be alphabetical and double-spaced, with indentations after the first line of each citation.
The library has many style guides to help you with MLA formatting, which you can find via OneSearch. You can also check out the library's research guide on MLA style at libguides.york.cuny.edu/citations/mla.
In general, you use MLA style when writing and formatting research papers in the humanities, including languages, literature, literary criticism, and cultural studies.
MLA Style Website
Visit the MLA Style website for quick answers on references and formatting questions and advice on writing for the humanities. The site contains most of the information in the MLA Handbook. The advice on using MLA format has just about everything you need to write a paper in MLA style. The site is fully searchable and includes:
- Using MLA format
- Works cited page guidance
- Formatting instructions
- Sample papers
- Practice templates
- Writing tips
- How to deal with URLs
- Answers to common questions
Free Citation Tools
There are a lot of tools to help you create citations automatically, whether you have a database citation or the OneSearch citation tool. However, you may want to cite things you find elsewhere. If you need to create an MLA citation, try Citation Builder — it's an excellent tool to automatically generate citations for print or online sources: lib.ncsu.edu/citationbuilder