Easy Guide to MLA Works-Cited

Easy Guide to MLA Works-Cited

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. MLA Documentation and Formatting 2.1 Formatting the Essay 2.2 In-text Citations
3. Works Cited: The Basics 3.1 Author 3.2 Title 3.3 Container 3.3.1 Books 3.3.2 Websites 3.4 Other Contributors 3.5 Version Number and Publisher 3.6 Publication Date 3.7 Location
4. Formatting Guidelines 4.1 Italics and Quotations 4.2 Songs, Journals, Articles, Magazines, and Newspapers 4.3 Television Episodes
5. Examples 5.1 Magazine Article 5.2 Book 5.3 Journal Article 5.4 Television Episode
6. Additional Contributors and Translations
7. Publication Date
8. Location
9. Access Date
10. Works Cited in Context

Works Cited: The Basics

In academic writing, including accurate and properly formatted citations is crucial to give credit to the original authors and sources of information. When it comes to creating a works cited page, or bibliography, in MLA format, there are certain elements that need to be included for different types of sources. This article will guide you through the basics of creating a works cited page, including the necessary information for each type of source such as books, websites, journals, and television episodes. We will also discuss formatting guidelines, examples, and additional considerations such as other contributors, translations, publication dates, location, and access dates.

Introduction

In academic writing, it is essential to provide proper citations for all the sources used in your work. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in humanities and liberal arts disciplines for citing sources. MLA provides specific guidelines for formatting citations, both in-text and in the works cited page. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understand the basics of creating a works cited page in MLA format.

MLA Documentation and Formatting

Before delving into the details of creating a works cited page, it is important to have a basic understanding of MLA documentation and formatting. MLA requires a specific format for the entire essay, including margins, font, spacing, and headings. The first part of our MLA series covered the formatting guidelines for the essay, while the second part discussed in-text citations. Now, let's explore the third and final part of our series: the works cited page.

Works Cited: The Basics

The works cited page is the final page of your essay, which lists all the sources you have cited throughout your paper. Each entry on the works cited page must include certain vital information to enable readers to locate the original source. In general, the required elements for a works cited entry include the author's name, the title of the source, the container (where the source is located), other contributors, version number and publisher, publication date, and location. However, the specific format of each element may vary depending on the type of source.

Author

The first element to consider when creating a works cited entry is the author's name. For a book or an article, provide the author's last name followed by their first name. If the author's name is unknown, begin the entry with the title of the source. In cases of multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the source. In some instances, sources may have editors or other contributors. Include their names after the title and before the publisher information.

Title

The title of the source is an essential element in the works cited entry. Properly format the title based on the type of source. For books and websites, italicize the title. For journals, articles, magazines, newspaper articles, television episodes, and songs, use quotation marks around the title. If the source is from an album or a journal, include the name of the album or journal in italics.

Container

The container refers to the larger entity that holds the source, such as a book or a website. If the source is a book, provide the title of the book in italics. If the source is a website, include the URL. The container information should help readers understand the context of the source.

Other Contributors

If there are editors, translators, or additional contributors involved in the creation of the source, include their names in the works cited entry. This information is essential to acknowledge the contributions of all individuals involved in the production of the source.

Version Number and Publisher

The version number and publisher information provide important details about the specific edition or version of the source. Include the version number if applicable, followed by the name of the publisher. This information helps readers identify the specific version of the source that was referenced.

Publication Date

The publication date indicates when the source was originally published. Include the year of publication in the works cited entry. If the source does not have a specific date, provide the year alone. If the source has more than one date, select the most relevant one or the most recent date.

Location

The location refers to where the source can be found. For websites, provide the URL. For printed sources, such as books, include the page numbers (pp.) where the specific information was found. The location information helps readers access the source themselves.

Formatting Guidelines

In addition to the specific elements required for each type of source, there are general formatting guidelines to follow when creating a works cited page in MLA format. Books and websites should be italicized, while songs, journals, articles, magazines, newspaper articles, and television episodes should be enclosed in quotation marks. It is important to adhere to these formatting guidelines to ensure consistency and clarity in your citations.

Examples

To illustrate the proper formatting of works cited entries, let's look at some examples. Suppose you are citing a magazine article by Naomi S. Baron titled "PMLA" from the source "Volume 128 Number 1, pp. 193-200." The correct works cited entry would be:

Baron, Naomi S. "PMLA." Volume 128 Number 1, pp. 193-200.

For a book titled "The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction" by Alan Jacobs, published by Oxford University Press in 2011, the works cited entry would be:

Jacobs, Alan. The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction. Oxford University Press, 2011.

These examples demonstrate how to format works cited entries for different types of sources, providing the necessary information to locate the original sources.

Additional Contributors and Translations

In some cases, there may be other contributors involved in the creation of the source. For example, if a book is translated, include the name of the translator after the title and before the publisher information. Acknowledging the contributions of other individuals ensures proper attribution and recognition within your works cited page.

Publication Date

The publication date indicates when the source was originally published. It is crucial to provide accurate and specific publication dates. However, if the source does not have a specific date, include the year alone. It is also important to note that if a source has multiple dates, choose the most relevant one or the most recent date.

Location

The location refers to where the source can be found. For websites, include the URL. For printed sources, such as books, provide the page numbers (pp.) where the specific information is located. The location information assists readers in accessing the source themselves.

Access Date

When citing online sources, it is important to include the date you accessed the information. This allows readers to understand the timeliness of your source and verify that the information was available at the time of your research. Include the access date after the location information, and make sure to format it consistently throughout your works cited entries.

Works Cited in Context

The works cited page should be the last page of your essay and should be titled "Works Cited" centered at the top. It should be organized alphabetically and in hanging indent format. Each citation should follow the guidelines mentioned earlier. By including a works cited page, you demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity and provide readers with a comprehensive list of the sources you have referred to in your work.

Conclusion

Creating a works cited page in MLA format is an essential part of academic writing. It ensures that proper credit is given to the original authors and sources of information. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively create a works cited page that provides all the necessary information for readers to locate the sources you have utilized. Remember to format your citations correctly, include all relevant information, and adhere to the general formatting guidelines.