MLA Format Guide: In-Text Citations & Works Cited

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association. MLA Style provides conventions for formatting papers and documenting sources. Many college courses in literature, language, and the humanities use MLA, although the required style depends on the subject and instructor.

MLA 9 uses an adaptable template of core elements for Works Cited entries. Rather than memorizing a separate rule for every possible website or media type, identify the source's relevant details, then arrange them according to the MLA template.

A standard MLA research paper typically uses one-inch margins, double spacing, a readable font, and a half-inch first-line paragraph indent. A common choice is a 12-point font with clearly distinguishable regular and italic styles. Follow any font or layout instructions provided by your instructor.

On the first page, a typical student heading lists the student's name, instructor's name, course, and date on separate double-spaced lines. Center the paper title on the following line. Unless your instructor asks for a title page, the heading usually appears on the first page instead of using a separate cover page.

A running header typically places the student's surname and page number in the upper-right corner. Keep it consistent across pages and check your word processor's header settings so the page numbers update automatically.

MLA commonly uses an author-page system for print or paginated sources. If you quote or paraphrase a passage from a source with page numbers, include the author's surname and the relevant page in parentheses. Do not place a comma between the surname and page number.

For example, a parenthetical citation might look like (Garcia 42). This is a made-up illustration of the citation format, not a real reference. If the sentence already names the author, the parenthetical citation may only need the page number, such as (42).

Online sources do not always have stable page numbers. Do not invent page numbers or count browser screens. Use the information that actually helps a reader locate the passage and follow current MLA guidance for that source.

Use quotation marks for exact words from a source, and make sure the in-text citation identifies the source and location where available. A paraphrase should express the idea in your own wording and structure while still crediting the source.

If the author is clearly identified in the sentence, do not repeat the same name in parentheses unless it is needed to avoid confusion. If the source has no author, use a shortened title or another identifying element that corresponds to the Works Cited entry. The exact treatment depends on the source and citation context.

A citation should direct readers to the source, not duplicate information unnecessarily. Make sure every in-text reference can be matched to the correct Works Cited entry.

Put Works Cited on a separate page at the end of the paper unless your instructor gives a different requirement. Center the heading Works Cited without quotation marks or italics. Double-space the entries, keep the entries in alphabetical order by the first element, and use a hanging indent for each entry.

The Works Cited list documents the sources actually cited in the paper. Each entry should match the source details used in the text. Check author names, titles, publication dates, page ranges, containers, publisher information, DOIs, and URLs against the source itself.

MLA uses core elements such as author, title of source, title of container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location when those elements apply. Not every source has every element, and the order or formatting differs by type.

Use these as structural templates, not as completed citations. Replace placeholders with facts from the actual book, journal article, or webpage. The correct entry depends on who created the source, where it appeared, whether it is part of a larger container, and which publication details are available.

For an online article, the site or journal may function as a container. Include a DOI or URL where appropriate, and check the current MLA guide when a source includes a database, platform, or other container that affects the citation.

The most visible difference is the in-text citation system. APA commonly uses the author's surname and publication year, such as (Garcia, 2022). MLA commonly uses the author's surname and page number for paginated sources, such as (Garcia 42). Their reference-list headings and entry formats differ too: APA uses References, while MLA uses Works Cited.

Do not mix the two styles in one assignment. If your professor says to use MLA, use MLA formatting and the matching Works Cited rules. If the instructions call for APA, use author-date citations and an APA References list.

A paper can lose clarity when it mixes citation styles or gives readers incomplete source information. Do a final pass through the document rather than assuming a citation is correct because a generator produced it.

Does every MLA paper need a title page? Usually not for a standard student paper unless the instructor requests one. Follow your assignment directions.

Should an MLA citation include the publication year? It may be useful context in your sentence, but the common parenthetical author-page format focuses on the author and location. Follow the relevant rule for the source and situation.

What if a website has no page numbers? Do not invent a number. Use an appropriate citation approach for the source and include the information that helps readers locate it.

Does every source need a Works Cited entry? A source cited in the paper should correspond to an entry unless MLA guidance specifies a different treatment for that source type. The Works Cited list is not simply a list of everything you opened while researching.

Can I use a citation generator? Yes, as a starting point, but verify names, titles, publication details, containers, dates, and URLs against the actual source.

What if my instructor uses a different format? Follow the instructor's requirements or ask for clarification before finalizing the paper.

A final formatting check can catch preventable issues before you submit. Compare the document with the course instructions and a current MLA 9 guide, especially when you have unusual source types.