MLA Format
Citation Guide
MLA, 9th Edition
This guide is intended to be used as a basic reference for MLA citations. Copies of the MLA Handbook Ninth Edition
can be found in the school library at 808.02 MLA.
Formatting Your Paper
• With the exception of page numbers, all margins (Top, Bottom, Left & Right) should be set at one inch.
• Use an easily readable font – Times New Roman 12 pt. font is one option.
• Leave one space after periods or other punctuation (unless otherwise instructed).
• Double space throughout the paper (including your heading)
• Do not use a title page. Headings should be aligned on the left with your name, your instructors name,
course title, and date each on separate lines
• Center the title of the paper. Do not underline, italicize, bold or put in “quotation marks”.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph ó inch from the left margin (MLA recommends using the Tab key).
• Page numbers should be in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top. Type your last name
before the page number.
• Tables and illustrations should be places as close as possible to the text they relate.
• If using endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page.
Works Cited
Your list of Works Cited should start on a new page at the end of your paper. Use these rules when creating your
Works Cited.
• Continue the page numbering from the body of your paper.
• Center the title, Works Cited, an inch from the top of the page.
• Double space between the title and your first entry.
• Alphabetize entries by author’s last name. If no author; alphabetize by title (ignore A, An, The).
• If an entry runs more than one line, indent the following line(s) ó inch.
• Double space your entire list, between and after each entry.
Books
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title: Book Subtitle. Publisher, Date
Example:
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A.A. Levine Books, 1998.
• Books with two authors:
o Start with the first author’s name (Last Name, First Name)
o Include second author’s name in normal format (First Name Last Name)
• Unknown Author: Start citation with the source title
• If citing a specific chapter in a book, include the page numbers of the chapter following the date (pp. 202-
210.)
Journal & Magazine Articles (Print)
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Publication Title, vol.#, no.#, Date, pp. # - #.
Example:
Blount, Roy, Jr. "Mr. Lincoln Goes to Hollywood." Smithsonian Nov. 2012: pp. 46-53.
• For publication date, include day, month, and year (if known).
o Abbreviate month if it has more than 4 letters.
Journal & Magazine Articles (database)
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Publication Title, vol. #, no. #, Date, pp. #-#. Database Title,
URL.
Example:
Romero, Margie. "Face to Face." Carnegie Magazine, Jan 2003, pp. 8-13. SIRS Issues Researcher,
https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2268269496?accountid=160766.
• Volume number and issue number (for journal articles).
Websites
Author’s Last Name, First Name (If Known). “Website Title.” Website Name, Publisher (omit if same as
publisher), Accessed Date, URL. Access Date.
Example:
"Library of Congress Home." Library of Congress Home. Library of Congress,
http://www.loc.gov/. Accessed 01 Jan. 2022.
Map/Chart/Image (Online)
Creator’s Last Name, First Name (If Known). Title of Work. Date of Creation, Website Title, URL.
"Church Of Global Warming." Cartoon. Frugal Cafe Blog Zone. 28 Dec. 2010, Frugal Cafe,
Interview (Personal)
Interviewee’s Last Name, First Name. Medium of Interview, Date.
Example:
Smith, Jack. E-mail interview with author. 14 Sep. 2012.
• Treat the name of interviewee like the author.
• Medium of interview (Personal interview with author, Telephone interview with author, etc.).
Sources
MLA Handbook 9th Edition. Modern Language Association of America, 2021.
MLA Simplified, 9th Edition. Modern Language Association of America, 2021.