MLA Style: Citing Print Resources
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition, 1999, is the standard guide for college students to the documentation style of the Modern Languages Association (MLA). The following information and most of the examples are taken from the Handbook. Consult the full Handbook call number: Ref LB2369 .G53 1999b) for specific citation types not included here
ALSO: The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University has created a very good online guide (with lots of examples) to the MLA style.
- Book with an author(s) or editor(s)
- Book by a corporate author
- Work in an Anthology
- Article in a Reference Book
- Government Publication
- Article in a Scholarly Journal
- Article in a Magazine
- Article in a Newspaper
Reference Citation in Text
In the text of your paper you must document sources from which you are quoting or paraphrasing using brief parenthetical citations that correspond to your alphabetical list of works-cited at the end of the paper.
Here is an example:
Ancient writers attributed the invention of the monochord to Pythagoras, who lived in the sixth century BC (Marcuse 197).
The parenthetical citation “(Marcuse 197)” tells the reader that the information in the sentence was derived from page 197 of a work by an author named Marcuse. If the reader wants more information about this source, he/she can turn to the works-cited list, where a complete citation for Marcuse’s work will be found.
The Works-Cited List
The list of works cited appears at the end of the paper. Center the title, Works Cited, an inch from the top of the page. Double-space between the title and the first entry. Begin each entry flush with the left margin; if an entry runs more than one line, indent the subsequent line or lines one-half inch from the left margin. Double-space entire list, both between and within entries.
Citing a book with an author(s) or editor(s):
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name and Initial. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of Publication.
Examples:
Benner, David G, ed. Psychotherapy in Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987.
Reno, Russell R. Redemptive Change: Atonement and the Christian Cure of the Soul. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2002.
Note: if there are more than three authors, you may name only the first and add et al (“and others”).
Citing a book by a corporate author:
Format:
Corporate Author’s Name. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of Publication.
Example
American Medical Association. The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine. New York: Random, 1989.
Citing a Work in an Anthology:
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Work Being Cited.” Title of the Anthology. Editor of the Anthology. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of Publication of the anthology]. Page numbers of the cited piece.
Example:
Hamilton, Victor P. “The Ethics of the Old Testament.” Christian Ethics: An Inquiry into Christian Ethics from a Biblical Theological Perspective. Eds. Leon O. Hynson and Lane A. Scott. Anderson: Warner Press, 1983. 9-30.
Citing an Article in a Reference Book
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. [if the article is unsigned, give the title first] “Title of the Article.” Title of the Reference Work. Editor of the reference book [for less familiar works]. Edition. Number of volumes [for less familiar works]. Date of Publication. [When citing less familiar reference books, give the place of publication and publisher].
Examples:
“Transfiguration.” Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. 2nd ed. 2001.
Thomas, R. M. “Religious Education.” The International Encyclopedia of Education. Eds. Torsten Husén and T. Neville Postlethwaite. 2nd ed. 12 vols. New York: Elsevier Science, 1994.
Citing a Government Publication:
Format:
Government Name. Government Agency. Title of Publication. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of publication.
Example:
United States. Census Bureau. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2001. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau, 2001.
Example:
California. Dept. of Justice. California Attorney General’s Women’s Rights Handbook. Sacramento: Office of the Attorney General, 1990.
Citing an Article in a Scholarly Journal:
Format
Author’s Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Periodical volume number.issue number [if there is one] (date): pages.
Example
Moreland, J. P. “Intelligent Design Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology: A Comparison of Rival Paradigms.” Journal of Psychology & Theology 29.4 (2001): 361-377.
Citing an Article in a Magazine:
Format
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine Month and year: pages. [Do NOT give the volume and issue numbers even if they are listed.]
Example:
Jeschke, Marlin. (2005, August). “Fixing Church Discipline.” Christianity Today August 2005: 30-32.
Citing an Article in a Newspaper:
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Name of Newspaper day Month year, edition of newspaper [if there is one]: section and page number [use + if article covers more than one page].
Example:
Goodstein, Laurie, and David D. Kirkpatrick. “On a Christian Mission to the Top.” New York Times 22 May 2005: A1+.
Based on a document created by Nancy Getty, Glendale College Librarian, 2003. Edited by Kimberley Wilcox, APU, 2005.
Page Last Modified: August 2, 2006