There are many different styles of citation, like Associate Press style (AP) and American Psychological Association style (APA). English uses Modern Language Association style (MLA). What follows is a basic guide on MLA citation; for additional information on citation, check the style guides of Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/). NOTE: THIS IS UPDATED TO THE LATEST EDITION OF MLA STYLE, RELEASED IN APRIL 2016.
General Rules:
- Author goes surname first (Coon, Brandon); all others are surname last (Brandon Coon)
- Dates are day month year (19 January 1991) to minimize commas
- When using an online resource, cite the web address without the http://www. If citing a source on a digital platform, you may ditch the web address if you hyperlink the citation to the address instead.
- Volume is vol., number is no., edition is ed., page is p., and pages is pp.
- Excepting the above, when in doubt, spell it out: author names, months, titles, etc.
- If the information can't be found (author, publisher, date), skip it.
BOOKS
Book or play
Last name, First name. Title of Book. (Year of original publication if reprint). Publisher, Year of Publication.
Barry, Max. Jennifer Government. Doubleday, 2003.
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood (1965). Vintage, 2012.
Barry, Max. Jennifer Government. Doubleday, 2003.
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood (1965). Vintage, 2012.
If the book is a reprint and the original year of publication is not exactly known, use c. for "circa" and put an estimated date.
Homer. The Odyssey (c. 8th century BCE), translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin, 1999.
Homer. The Odyssey (c. 8th century BCE), translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin, 1999.
If there is no author or editor, don't list "Anonymous". Just leave the line blank.
Diary of an Oxygen Thief. Gallery Books, 2006.
Diary of an Oxygen Thief. Gallery Books, 2006.
If the book has two authors, list the second author after the first author and spell out and.
Dubner, Stephen J., and Steven Levitt. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. William Morrow and Co., 2005.
Dubner, Stephen J., and Steven Levitt. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. William Morrow and Co., 2005.
If the book has three or more authors, list the first author, then place a comma and add et al.
Bruder, Melissa, et al. A Practical Handbook for the Actor. Vintage, 1986.
Bruder, Melissa, et al. A Practical Handbook for the Actor. Vintage, 1986.
If a book has a corporate author, list as author. If the corporate author is the same as the publisher, leave author spot blank..
MLA handbook (8th ed.). The Modern Language Association, 2016.
MLA handbook (8th ed.). The Modern Language Association, 2016.
A book with an additional contributor (editor, translator, adapter, illustrator, publisher)
List the additional contributors name(s) after the book title and edition with their contribution spelled out
EDITOR: Shakespeare, William. As You Like It (1623), edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstein. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2014.
TRANSLATOR: Alighieri, Dante. Inferno (1322), translated by Michael Palma. Norton, 2002.
ILLUSTRATOR: Weinersmith, Zach. Augie and the Green Knight, illustrated by Boulet. Bredpig, 2015.
EDITOR: Shakespeare, William. As You Like It (1623), edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstein. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2014.
TRANSLATOR: Alighieri, Dante. Inferno (1322), translated by Michael Palma. Norton, 2002.
ILLUSTRATOR: Weinersmith, Zach. Augie and the Green Knight, illustrated by Boulet. Bredpig, 2015.
For a book with no author but an editor, list the editor's name(s) followed by the word editor(s).
Reeves, Douglas, editor. Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning. Solution Tree, 2007.
Reeves, Douglas, editor. Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning. Solution Tree, 2007.
If the book has two co-publishers, list them both and separate them with a slash.
Braddock, Bobby. Bobby Braddock: A Life on Nashville's Music Row. Vanderbilt UP / Country Music Foundation Press, 2015.
Braddock, Bobby. Bobby Braddock: A Life on Nashville's Music Row. Vanderbilt UP / Country Music Foundation Press, 2015.
An edition of a book/ebook
Add edition number before the publisher with a comma. Keep edition as ed. and use numerals.
Insel, Paul, et al. Discovering Nutrition. 3rd ed., Jones and Bartlett, 2010.
The Torah, edited by the Jewish Publication Society of America. 14th ed., Henry Holt and Co., 2004.
Insel, Paul, et al. Discovering Nutrition. 3rd ed., Jones and Bartlett, 2010.
The Torah, edited by the Jewish Publication Society of America. 14th ed., Henry Holt and Co., 2004.
For a single volume in a series, add the volume number with vol. after title but before edition.
Baym, Nina, Levine, Robert, and Krupat, Arnold, editors. The Norton Anthology of American Literature , vol. B (7th ed.). W.W. Norton, 2007.
Baym, Nina, Levine, Robert, and Krupat, Arnold, editors. The Norton Anthology of American Literature , vol. B (7th ed.). W.W. Norton, 2007.
For ebooks, instead of an edition number, state the digital formatting company (Kindle, iBooks, Nook, etc).
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood (1965). Kindle ed., Vintage, 2012.
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood (1965). Kindle ed., Vintage, 2012.
An introduction, preface, forward, or afterward
If the forward, etc is by the text author, just add that word and to before title
Adams, Scott. Afterword to The Dilbert Future. Harper Collins, 1997.
If the forward, etc is by a different author, list author of forward first and put book author after title
Gaiman, Neil. Introduction to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953). Simon and Schuster, 2013.
Adams, Scott. Afterword to The Dilbert Future. Harper Collins, 1997.
If the forward, etc is by a different author, list author of forward first and put book author after title
Gaiman, Neil. Introduction to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953). Simon and Schuster, 2013.
Graphic Literature
Writer and artist names (not inks or colorist or layout or editor). Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Moon, Fabio and Gabriel Ba. Daytripper (2010). Vertigo, 2014.
Snyder, Scott, et al. Batman: The Black Mirror. DC Comics, 2011.
If a single issue of a comic, add the title of the issue in quotes, issue number, and the spelled-out month of release.
Morrison, Grant and Frank Quitely. "Mommy Made of Nails." Batman and Robin, no. 3. DC Comics, October 2009.
Moon, Fabio and Gabriel Ba. Daytripper (2010). Vertigo, 2014.
Snyder, Scott, et al. Batman: The Black Mirror. DC Comics, 2011.
If a single issue of a comic, add the title of the issue in quotes, issue number, and the spelled-out month of release.
Morrison, Grant and Frank Quitely. "Mommy Made of Nails." Batman and Robin, no. 3. DC Comics, October 2009.
An unpublished manuscript (or family recipe)
Author. Title of Work. "Unpublished work title." Personal collection of (names). Approximate date written.
Fleming, Betty June. "Snickerdoodles." Personal collection of Marietta Hughes. 1935.
Fleming, Betty June. "Snickerdoodles." Personal collection of Marietta Hughes. 1935.
SELECTIONS FROM LARGER WORK
(ARTICLES, SHORT STORIES, POEMS, ESSAYS, RECIPES)
From a print book or anthology
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Selection or chapter." Title of Book or Anthology. Publisher, Year, Pages (p for one page, pp for multiple).
Masters, Edgar Lee. "Fiddler Jones." Spoon River Anthology (1915). Simon and Schuster, 2004, p. 61.
Masters, Edgar Lee. "Fiddler Jones." Spoon River Anthology (1915). Simon and Schuster, 2004, p. 61.
If selection is normally a full text, cite the same way but italicize, not quote, the title of the work
Aristophanes. Lysistrata (411 BCE). The Works of Aristophanes, edited by Lawrence T. Whitmore. University Publishing, 1988, pp. 194-247.
Aristophanes. Lysistrata (411 BCE). The Works of Aristophanes, edited by Lawrence T. Whitmore. University Publishing, 1988, pp. 194-247.
From a website
The website name replaces the title of anthology. Instead of page numbers, add the web address. If no publisher, leave off.
Wong, David. "Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person." Cracked, 17 December 2012, cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person.
With any digitally submitted text you can leave off the web address if you hyperlink the text to the site. Keep the link blue.
Wong, David. "Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person." Cracked, 17 December 2012.
If the website has no publishing date or year, substitute a date of access.
"The Beatnik Generation." Voices of East Anglica, accessed 17 December 2012, voicesofeastanglia.com/2011/10/the-beatnik-generation.
Wong, David. "Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person." Cracked, 17 December 2012, cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person.
With any digitally submitted text you can leave off the web address if you hyperlink the text to the site. Keep the link blue.
Wong, David. "Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person." Cracked, 17 December 2012.
If the website has no publishing date or year, substitute a date of access.
"The Beatnik Generation." Voices of East Anglica, accessed 17 December 2012, voicesofeastanglia.com/2011/10/the-beatnik-generation.
From a magazine, journal, or other periodical (print and online)
Last name, First name. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, volume and issue # (month and year), pages.
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), pp. 95-99.
If the periodical has no obvious volume or issue numbers, just use the month and year.
Dickman, Kyle. "On Fire." Popular Science, November 2015, pp. 42-47.
If reading a digital copy, cite same as print version, but replace pages with web address or digital object identifier (doi).
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), nature.com/nature/journal/v534/n7605/full/534045a.
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), doi:10.1038/534045a.
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), pp. 95-99.
If the periodical has no obvious volume or issue numbers, just use the month and year.
Dickman, Kyle. "On Fire." Popular Science, November 2015, pp. 42-47.
If reading a digital copy, cite same as print version, but replace pages with web address or digital object identifier (doi).
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), nature.com/nature/journal/v534/n7605/full/534045a.
Dobson, David. "Geophysics: Earth's Core Problem." Nature, vol. 534, no. 45 (June 2016), doi:10.1038/534045a.
For a newspaper, forego volume and issue numbers. Add [city and state if not in title], date: pages.
Barry, Dan. "Just One Last Swirl Around the Bowl." The New York Times, 5 April 2009: p. ST6.
Barry, Dan. "Just One Last Swirl Around the Bowl." The New York Times, 5 April 2009: p. ST6.
Most news or magazine reviews don't have titles. In lieu of an article title, write Review of Performance Title by Artist. Then cite periodical info.
Vejvoda, Jim. Review of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zach Snyder. IGN, 22 March 2016, ign.com/articles/2016/03/22/batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-review.
Vejvoda, Jim. Review of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zach Snyder. IGN, 22 March 2016, ign.com/articles/2016/03/22/batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-review.
Like reviews, many news or magazine interviews don't have titles. In lieu of an article title, write Interview with name. Then cite periodical info.
Kelly, Ken. Interview with Ray Bradbury. Playboy, vol. 43, no. 5 (May 1996), pp. 47-56, 149-150, raybradbury.com/articles_playboy.html.
Kelly, Ken. Interview with Ray Bradbury. Playboy, vol. 43, no. 5 (May 1996), pp. 47-56, 149-150, raybradbury.com/articles_playboy.html.
AUDIO, VIDEO, AND LIVE PERFORMANCE
Film
Film Title. Directed by name, featuring top billed actors (if any), narrated by (if any). Studio, Year of Release.
NOTE: Top-billed actors are those whose names come before the film name in credits or are on the poster. Not all films have them.
Some Like It Hot. Directed by Billy Wilder, featuring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. MGM, 1959.
NOTE: Top-billed actors are those whose names come before the film name in credits or are on the poster. Not all films have them.
Some Like It Hot. Directed by Billy Wilder, featuring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. MGM, 1959.
If an online video, list "video title". Series name (if any), name of director or host or narrator. Publisher, full date when published, web address or hyperlink.
"Papa." Directed and animated by Natalie Labarre. Vimeo, 8 February 2016, vimeo.com/154554390.
"The Great Gatsby." Thug Notes, narrated by Greg Edwards (Sparky Sweets). YouTube, 11 June 2013, youtu.be/2VEQRPm_HyA.
"Papa." Directed and animated by Natalie Labarre. Vimeo, 8 February 2016, vimeo.com/154554390.
"The Great Gatsby." Thug Notes, narrated by Greg Edwards (Sparky Sweets). YouTube, 11 June 2013, youtu.be/2VEQRPm_HyA.
For an online clip from a studio film, add the name of the clip in quotes, from Film. Cite film, then add the name of the web service and the web address.
"You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat," from Jaws. Directed by Steven Spielberg, featuring Roy Schieder and Robert Shaw. Universal, 1975. YouTube, youtu.be/2I91DJZKRxs.
"You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat," from Jaws. Directed by Steven Spielberg, featuring Roy Schieder and Robert Shaw. Universal, 1975. YouTube, youtu.be/2I91DJZKRxs.
If citing a special feature from a film's DVD, list "Feature title." Special feature on Film home release. If commentary, say commentary on instead of special feature.
"Timekeepers." Special feature on Whiplash home release. Directed by Damien Chazelle, featuring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. Blumhouse, 2014.
Weinberg, Scott, et al. Commentary on It Follows home release. Directed by David Robert Mitchell. Radius / Northern Light Films, 2015.
"Timekeepers." Special feature on Whiplash home release. Directed by Damien Chazelle, featuring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. Blumhouse, 2014.
Weinberg, Scott, et al. Commentary on It Follows home release. Directed by David Robert Mitchell. Radius / Northern Light Films, 2015.
If a television series episode, list "Episode Title." Series name, creator or performers, season #, episode #. Production studio, Year aired.
"The Rains of Castamere." Game of Thrones, featuring Peter Dinklage and Emilia Clarke, season 3, episode 9. HBO, 2013.
"Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie." The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening, season 4, episode 6. Twentieth Century Fox, 1992.
"The Rains of Castamere." Game of Thrones, featuring Peter Dinklage and Emilia Clarke, season 3, episode 9. HBO, 2013.
"Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie." The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening, season 4, episode 6. Twentieth Century Fox, 1992.
For news programs and other on-air broadcasts, list "Segment name (if applicable)." Series name, hosted by names. Studio (call numbers if needed), date aired.
"Saying Goodbye to the Greatest." NBC Nightly News, hosted by Lester Holt. NBC Universal, 6 June 2016.
"Saying Goodbye to the Greatest." NBC Nightly News, hosted by Lester Holt. NBC Universal, 6 June 2016.
Audio
For songs, list Artist. “Song Title.” Album Name. Studio, Year of Original Release.
The Grateful Dead. "Ripple." American Beauty. Warner, 1969.
The Grateful Dead. "Ripple." American Beauty. Warner, 1969.
For musical soundtracks, replace album name with From the musical Title by composer and lyricist. Type of cast recording, Studio, Year released.
Odom Jr, Leslie, and chorus. "Wait for It." From the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Original cast recording, Atlantic Records, 2015.
Odom Jr, Leslie, and chorus. "Wait for It." From the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Original cast recording, Atlantic Records, 2015.
Diegetic music in a film (performed by actors) should be cited Actor performing song. “Song Title.” From the film Film title, directed by director. Studio, Year.
Hepburn, Audrey. "Moon River." From the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, directed by Blake Edwards. Paramount, 1961.
Hepburn, Audrey. "Moon River." From the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, directed by Blake Edwards. Paramount, 1961.
Non-diegetic music in a film (background music) should be cited like a regular song, using the film's soundtrack album or album of original release.
Zimmer, Hans. "Rise." The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack. WaterTower Records, 2012.
Zimmer, Hans. "Rise." The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack. WaterTower Records, 2012.
For radio broadcasts, list "Segment name (if applicable)." Series name, hosted by names. Studio call numbers, air date.
The BJ and Jamie Show, hosted by BJ Harris and Jamie White. KALC Denver, 2 June 2016.
The BJ and Jamie Show, hosted by BJ Harris and Jamie White. KALC Denver, 2 June 2016.
For online audio podcasts, list Host names. "Episode title." Podcast name, episode #. Publisher, date when published, web address.
Smith, Kevin and Scott Mosier. "The Walrus and the Carpenter." Smodcast, no. 259. Smodco, 4 March 2014, smodcast.com/channel/smodcast?audio=259.
Smith, Kevin and Scott Mosier. "The Walrus and the Carpenter." Smodcast, no. 259. Smodco, 4 March 2014, smodcast.com/channel/smodcast?audio=259.
A live speech, lecture, concert, or comedy show
Presenter name. "Name of Lecture or Tour." Location of event (City, State), Date of event. Live show or Live address.
Smith, Kevin and Ralph Garmin. "Hollywood Babble-On." The Hollywood Improv (Hollywood, CA), 27 May 2016. Live show.
The Barenaked Ladies. "The Last Summer on Earth Tour." Red Rocks Amphitheater (Morrison, CO), 5 June 2016. Live show.
Smith, Kevin and Ralph Garmin. "Hollywood Babble-On." The Hollywood Improv (Hollywood, CA), 27 May 2016. Live show.
The Barenaked Ladies. "The Last Summer on Earth Tour." Red Rocks Amphitheater (Morrison, CO), 5 June 2016. Live show.
For a live dramatic performance, list Author. Name of Work, directed by name. Production Company Name (City, State), Date of Performance. Live show.
Simon, Neil. Rumors, directed by Erin Allen. Skyline High School (Longmont, CO), 5 November 2005. Live Show.
Simon, Neil. Rumors, directed by Erin Allen. Skyline High School (Longmont, CO), 5 November 2005. Live Show.
OTHER SOURCES
A personal interview
Interviewee name. Personal interview. Date of the interview.
Benton, John. Personal interview. 13 August 2011.
Benton, John. Personal interview. 13 August 2011.
A government bill or document
Government body authoring the bill. Name of the Bill. Government, Date. Bill or report numbers.
North Carolina, House, General Assembly. Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. Government, 23 March 2016. House Bill 2.
United States, Congress, House, The Committee on Natural Resources. Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act. Government, 3 June 2016. 114th Congress, House Report 114.
North Carolina, House, General Assembly. Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. Government, 23 March 2016. House Bill 2.
United States, Congress, House, The Committee on Natural Resources. Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act. Government, 3 June 2016. 114th Congress, House Report 114.
An artwork (painting, sculpture, or photograph)
Artist’s Name. Title of Work, Year created. Institution that owns artwork, City where it's located.
Van Gogh, Vincent. Starry Night, 1889. The Museum of Modern Art, New York City.
Van Gogh, Vincent. Starry Night, 1889. The Museum of Modern Art, New York City.
An online-only image or infographic
Artist (even if just a username). "Title of Work." Website name, date created or posted, web address.
NarcissaForsworth. "Time." DeviantArt, 22 February 2015, fav.me/d8j1tnu.
NarcissaForsworth. "Time." DeviantArt, 22 February 2015, fav.me/d8j1tnu.
An email
Author of message. "Subject line." Received by your name, Date email was sent.
Coon, Brandon. "Re: Expectations for the final." Received by Morgan Siders , 15 May 2016.
Coon, Brandon. "Re: Expectations for the final." Received by Morgan Siders , 15 May 2016.
A tweet or social media post
Twitter Name (Real name if known). "Entire text of the tweet." Twitter, date and time of post.
@justinesacco (Justine Sacco). "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!" Twitter, 13 December 2013, 10:19 AM.
@justinesacco (Justine Sacco). "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!" Twitter, 13 December 2013, 10:19 AM.
A comment on a social media post, online video, discussion board, or blog
Screen name. Comment to "Post name" by author, date of post, web address.
Fouxjin. Comment on "Is Miku Hatsune A More Authentic Pop Star Than Lana Del Rey?" by PBS Idea Channel, 28 March 2012, youtu.be/r3c8STXjQ20.
Fouxjin. Comment on "Is Miku Hatsune A More Authentic Pop Star Than Lana Del Rey?" by PBS Idea Channel, 28 March 2012, youtu.be/r3c8STXjQ20.
NOTE: The MLA Handbook, Eighth Edition emphasizes clarity and allows for some choice in citation, such as the citation of original publication dates and abbreviation of months. Keeping clarity and simplicity in mind, I fashioned the guidelines above to what I expect my own students to write, so you may find slight variances in other MLA resources elsewhere.