Citing sources correctly is crucial for academic integrity. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in humanities disciplines, and knowing how to cite an article correctly using MLA formatting is essential for students and researchers alike. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, covering various article types and common scenarios.
Understanding MLA In-Text Citations and Works Cited Entries
The MLA style requires two key components for citing sources:
- In-text citations: Brief references within your paper that indicate the source of information. These usually include the author's last name and page number(s).
- Works Cited page: A separate page at the end of your paper listing all the sources you cited, providing complete bibliographic information.
Citing Different Types of Articles in MLA Format
The format for citing articles varies slightly depending on the type of source. Here are some common examples:
1. Journal Article (Print):
In-text citation: (Author's Last Name Page Number)
Example: (Smith 123)
Works Cited entry:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Range. Print.
Example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Journal of Adolescent Psychology, 25, 2 (2023): 110-125. Print.
2. Journal Article (Online):
In-text citation: (Author's Last Name Page Number) or (Author's Last Name, paragraph number) if no page numbers are available.
Example: (Smith 123) or (Smith, para. 5)
Works Cited entry:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Volume Number, Issue Number (Year): Page Range. Database Name, DOI or URL. Web. Access Date.
Example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Journal of Adolescent Psychology, 25, 2 (2023): 110-125. JSTOR, doi:10.1000/example. Web. 15 Oct. 2023.
3. Magazine Article (Print):
In-text citation: (Author's Last Name Page Number)
Example: (Jones 45)
Works Cited entry:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine Day Month Year: Page Range. Print.
Example:
Jones, Mary. "The Future of Artificial Intelligence." Time 15 Oct. 2023: 40-45. Print.
4. Magazine Article (Online):
In-text citation: (Author's Last Name) or (Author's Last Name, paragraph number)
Example: (Jones) or (Jones, para. 2)
Works Cited entry:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine, Day Month Year, URL. Web. Access Date.
Example:
Jones, Mary. "The Future of Artificial Intelligence." Time, 15 Oct. 2023, www.time.com/article-url. Web. 16 Oct. 2023.
5. Newspaper Article (Print or Online):
In-text citation: (Author's Last Name Page Number) or (Author's Last Name)
Example: (Brown 2) or (Brown)
Works Cited entry: Follow the format similar to magazine articles, substituting the magazine title with the newspaper title.
Handling Articles with Multiple Authors
For articles with two authors, list both last names in the in-text citation and Works Cited entry. For articles with three or more authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." in the in-text citation and list all authors in the Works Cited entry.
Key Considerations and Best Practices:
- Accuracy: Double-check all information for accuracy to avoid plagiarism.
- Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your paper.
- Consult the MLA Handbook: For the most up-to-date guidelines, refer to the official MLA Handbook.
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and effectively cite articles in your MLA-formatted papers, ensuring academic honesty and proper attribution of sources. Remember that precise and consistent citation is essential for building credibility and avoiding academic misconduct.
