How to Cite an MLA Article: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever panicked trying to remember all those MLA citation rules? You’re not alone. Properly citing sources isn’t just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s about giving credit where it’s due, demonstrating your understanding of research ethics, and allowing readers to delve deeper into your sources. Mastering MLA citations elevates your academic work and showcases your intellectual honesty.

Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or a student just starting out, accurately citing articles in MLA format is crucial for clear and credible communication. It establishes the foundation of your research and strengthens your arguments. By adhering to MLA guidelines, you contribute to the ongoing conversation of knowledge and build trust with your audience.

What are the most common questions about citing MLA articles?

How do I format a journal article citation in MLA 9?

To cite a journal article in MLA 9th edition, follow this basic format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” *Title of Journal*, Volume, Number, Date of Publication, Page Numbers. *Database Name* (if accessed online), DOI or URL.

Let’s break down each element. Begin with the author’s name, inverted (Last Name, First Name). If there are multiple authors, only the first author’s name is inverted, followed by “et al.” if there are three or more authors. Next, include the article title in quotation marks, followed by the title of the journal in italics. Be sure to capitalize all principal words in both the article title and the journal title. The volume and issue number of the journal should follow. The date of publication should be formatted as Day Month Year (e.g., 15 Jan. 2023) if a specific date is given; otherwise, use Month Year (e.g., Jan. 2023) or Year (e.g., 2023).

Finally, provide the page numbers on which the article appears. If you accessed the article through an online database, include the name of the database in italics after the page numbers. If a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is available, include it at the end of the citation. If there is no DOI but a stable URL is available, include that instead. Omit “https://” or “http://” from the URL unless required by your instructor.

What if an article has no author; how is it cited in MLA?

When an article lacks an author, you begin the MLA citation with the title of the article. Follow the title with the remaining standard citation elements, such as the publication name, date, and page numbers if available.

The MLA Handbook emphasizes using what information *is* available. Since no author is listed, the title takes precedence in signaling to your reader which source you are referencing, both in your Works Cited entry and in your parenthetical in-text citations. If the title is long, you can shorten it in your in-text citation, but make sure it is clear to the reader which entry you are referring to in the Works Cited list.

For example, let’s say you’re citing an article titled “New Study Shows Link Between Sleep and Memory” from the journal *Brain Research*. Your Works Cited entry would begin with the title: “New Study Shows Link Between Sleep and Memory.” *Brain Research*, Vol. 1700, 2018, pp. 10-25. If you were using this article in your text, your parenthetical citation would look like this: (“New Study”). This allows the reader to easily find the full citation in your Works Cited page under the title “New Study Shows Link Between Sleep and Memory”.

How do I cite an online article with no page numbers using MLA?

When citing an online article with no page numbers in MLA format, focus on providing enough information for your reader to locate the source. Your citation should include the author’s name (if available), the article title, the website or publication name, the publication date (if available), and the URL. In your in-text citations, use the author’s last name (or a shortened version of the title if there’s no author) along with a paragraph number (if available) or another locator like a section heading.

When an online article lacks page numbers, MLA encourages using alternative locators to guide readers to the specific passage you’re referencing. If the article has numbered paragraphs, use “para.” followed by the paragraph number in your in-text citation (e.g., (Smith, para. 4)). If there are no paragraph numbers, look for section headings or other clear divisions within the text. You can then refer to the relevant section in your in-text citation (e.g., (Jones, “Conclusion”)). If neither of these are available, you can omit the locator altogether; the reader can then search the article for the quoted or paraphrased material using keywords. For the Works Cited entry, prioritize accuracy and completeness. If the website has a clearly defined name (e.g., *The New York Times*), use that. If it’s less defined, use the name of the organization or entity responsible for the website. Always include the URL. It is recommended to remove “https://” from the beginning of the URL. If the article lacks a publication date, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”). If you are citing something from a website that is likely to change its content frequently, consider including an access date.

What’s the correct MLA format for citing an article from a database?

The basic MLA format for citing an article from a database includes the author’s name, article title, journal or publication title, volume and issue numbers (if available), publication date, page numbers, database name, and the DOI or permalink. The general structure follows this pattern: Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” *Journal Title*, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. Page Numbers. *Database Name*, DOI or Permalink.

When citing an article accessed through a database, it’s crucial to include the specific database name to show where you retrieved the information. MLA 9th edition emphasizes using a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) whenever available. A DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a persistent link to the article. If a DOI isn’t available, then include a stable URL or permalink, which is a persistent URL specifically created for that article within the database. Avoid using the URL from your browser’s address bar, as it might not be stable.

Here’s an example: Smith, Jane. “The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers.” *Journal of Adolescent Psychology*, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45-62. *PsycINFO*, https://doi.org/10.1000/joadpsyc.1234. If the article was accessed through a database like JSTOR and had no DOI, you would replace the DOI with the stable URL/permalink provided by JSTOR. Always double-check the MLA guidelines or consult an MLA style guide for the most up-to-date information and specific formatting nuances.

How do I cite a DOI in an MLA article citation?

In MLA style, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) at the end of your citation, after the page range (if applicable). Present the DOI as “https://doi.org/[DOI number]”. For example: Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” *Journal Title*, vol. X, no. Y, Date, pp. Z-A. https://doi.org/10.1000/123456.

The DOI is a unique and persistent identifier for a digital object, making it easier for readers to locate the exact source you used. Its inclusion ensures that even if the URL of the journal article changes, the DOI will still lead to the correct source. Always prioritize using the DOI if it is available for the article. If you find a DOI presented differently (e.g., “doi:10.1000/123456”), you should convert it to the standard “https://doi.org/[DOI number]” format for your citation.

If an article has both a DOI and a URL, the MLA Handbook (9th edition) prioritizes the DOI. Therefore, you should omit the URL when a DOI is present. However, if the article is from a source that does *not* use DOIs (like a website with original content), then you would include the URL instead. Be sure to copy and paste the DOI carefully to avoid any errors. Verifying the DOI link to ensure it leads to the correct article is also a good practice.

What if I have multiple articles by the same author; how do I differentiate them in MLA citations?

When you cite multiple articles by the same author in MLA format, you differentiate them by adding a shortened version of the title after the author’s name in the Works Cited list. This allows readers to quickly identify which specific work you are referencing when you have multiple entries for a single author.

In the Works Cited list, list the author’s name only once in the first entry, followed by their article details. For subsequent entries by the same author, replace the author’s name with three hyphens (—) followed by a period. Then, include the shortened title of the article in quotation marks. This shortened title should be easily recognizable and differentiate it from the author’s other works listed. The shortened title must be the first part of the full title. For example, if the full title of one article is “The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse,” the shortened title might be “Impact of Social Media.” Then proceed with the rest of the citation information for the article.

In the in-text citations, include the author’s last name, the shortened title (or a recognizable part of it), and the page number. For example: (Smith, “Impact of Social Media” 25). This clearly indicates which “Smith” article is being referenced. This applies to all entries, even if the shortened title is just one word.

How do I format the “Works Cited” page for MLA article citations?

The “Works Cited” page in MLA format is a list of all the sources you’ve cited in your paper, appearing at the end. Each entry needs to follow a specific MLA citation structure, and the entire page must adhere to general formatting rules: start on a new page, center the title “Works Cited” at the top, double-space everything (including between entries), and use a hanging indent for each citation.

A hanging indent means the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented half an inch. This makes it easy to visually distinguish between different sources. The citations themselves are alphabetized by the first element of the citation, which is usually the author’s last name. If no author is listed, alphabetize by the title of the article (ignoring articles like “a,” “an,” or “the”).

When constructing your individual citations, follow the MLA template of core elements: Author. “Title of Source.” *Title of Container*, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location. Each element is followed by a period, except when an element ends with another punctuation mark like a question mark. The “container” is the larger work the source is found in, such as a journal, magazine, or website. Knowing the core elements and their order is key to accurate and consistent MLA citations.

And there you have it! Citing MLA articles doesn’t have to be a headache. Hopefully, this guide has cleared things up for you and made the process a little less daunting. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more helpful writing tips and tricks!