Citations: MLA

MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) has developed a standardized way of citing resources used in academic research. Traditionally, MLA formatting has been used for academic papers written in the subject areas of English, Foreign Languages, Communications, Philosophy, and Theatre.  It is important to check with instructors to see which formatting style they prefer.

The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (9th edition) is available at all Vance-Granville Community College library locations. The call number is LB 2369 .M52 2021.

More information about MLA Style can be found at https://www.mla.org/MLA-Style.

Two pieces of information are required for the in-text (or parenthetical) reference in MLA Style: 

1. author's name(s)
2. page number(s) where you got the information. 

• Example: (Johnson 57)

If your source does not have page numbers (e.g. websites or other electronic material), simply list the author's name in your citation. If you do not have an author name, list the title of the source in quotation marks if it is a short work, like an article.

• Examples: ("Abraham Lincoln" 67)

Put titles of longer works, such as plays or books, in italics.

• Example: (Second Shepherd's Play 14)

Paraphrasing a Source: You may summarize or paraphrase the original words, thought, or idea; however, credit must be given to the source.

• Example:  Stem cell research will bring about new ways of treating Alzheimer's disease (Tannen 178-180).

If you include the author's name(s) in the sentence, only the page number(s) is needed in the parenthetical reference.

• Example:  Tannen has argued the point that stem cell research will bring about new ways of treating Alzheimer's disease (178-180).

Multiple Authors:

In citing information from a work by two authors, include both authors' last names in either the signal phrase or parenthetical reference.

• Example: Researchers found significant differences in the cancer rates of people who used sunscreen when compared to those who did not (Roberts and Lombardi 73).

• Example: According to Roberts and Lombardi, researchers found significant differences in the cancer rates of people who used sunscreen when compared to those who did not (Roberts and Lombardi 73).

If there are more than 2 authors, provide the first author's last name followed by "et al."

• Example: Some experts disagree with Johnson's argument and state that the spike in property crime is largely a result of high unemployment (Jones et al. 4).

Short Quotation:

When you incorporate a direct quotation into a sentence, you must cite the source. Fit quotations within your sentences:

• Example 1: “Quotations are effective in research papers when used selectively” (Gibaldi 109).
• Example 2: Gilbaldi states that "[q]uotations are effective in research papers when used selectively" (109).

Long Quotation:

If the quote you are using is longer than four lines set it off from your text with a free standing block.

• Example:

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration:

They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)