MLA style is a referencing method developed by the Modern Language Association. It consists of two parts: a brief in-text citation in the body of your essay and a detailed list of the “Works Cited” at the end of the work.
The following guidelines apply to any type of source, in any format.
In-text citations
Use the first element from the Works Cited entry - usually the author’s surname - and page number/s in parenthesis, e.g. (Smith 173). If the author’s name appears in the body of your essay itself, use just the relevant page number/s in the parenthesis, e.g. Smith claims that....applies. (173). There is no punctuation between the author's name and the page number/s.
Works Cited
Works Cited is a list of sources from which you have borrowed information or ideas. You need to acknowledge – or cite – all your sources.
Arrange the works in alphabetical order by the first element, usually the author’s surname. The elements of each entry, including the formatting and punctuation, are as follows. Omit any element which is not relevant. Format the second and subsequent lines of each entry with a hanging indent.
NB The alphabetical arrangement is letter-by-letter, i.e. Mac comes before Mc. Ignore any diacritical marks (e.g. é is treated the same as e) or special characters (e.g. for @smith use smith).
Author. Title of source. Title of container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.
Author: Surname, Other names as per work; see specific examples for multiple authors
Title of source: as per work; see specific examples for capitalisation, formatting and punctuation
Title of container: e.g. collection of essays, journal, newspaper, television series, web site
Other contributors: e.g. editor, director, performer, illustrator, translator
Version: e.g. edition, director’s cut, metric version, unabridged
Number: e.g. volume, issue, episode
Publisher: primarily responsible for publication or distribution of work; not needed for periodicals
Publication date: the one used
Location: location in container, e.g. page number/s in anthology, disc # in set, URL/DOI, artefact in archive
Other resources:
Works Cited: A Quick Guide
by MLA Style Center
Please refer to general University guidance about acceptable use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for study via the Student Portal, and confirm with your unit coordinator what is permissible in your specific unit our course.
See examples showing how to cite AI tools using MLA - NB as advice might change, keep up-to-date via: https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/
If you cannot find an example for what you are looking for here, consult the MLA website, or the MLA Handbook (below)
