Thought Lab 2

Citations

Write your citations in the MLA 9th edition style. This style requires in-text citations and a Works Cited Page.

(Unless your professor requires that you use a different style; always defer to an assignment's requirements.)

Elements

MLA citations assemble facts about a source, like who wrote it and when it was published. These facts are known as elements.

Quick Rules

Each element should be followed by the appropriate punctuation mark, either a comma or a period, depending on where it is in the citation.
If the information for an element cannot be found or does not apply to the source, omit that element.
Entries should always conclude with a period.

Core Elements

All MLA citations will follow a template of applicable core elements: author, title of source, container of source, contributor(s), version, number, publisher, date, and location. If you are missing information to supply any of the core elements, skip that element.

For detailed information about each of the core elements, click here.

Image: Modern Language Association. "Works Cited: A Quick Guide." MLA Style Center, https://style.mla.org/works-cited/works-cited-a-quick-guide/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2023.

Supplemental Elements

Sometimes, you might choose to include supplemental information about a source. Supplemental information will typically be inserted after the title of the source or at the end of the citation, with a period after the information.

See here for more information about incorporating supplemental elements.

General MLA Citation Template

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle. Supplemental Elements. Title of 1st Container, Contributor, Version or edition, Number, Publisher Name, Publication Date, Pages. Title of 2nd Container, Contributor, Version or edition, Number, Publisher Name, Publication Date, Pages. Supplemental Elements.

The layout and necessary elements will vary depending on the source you're citing. You do not need to use all of these elements for every source, just those that are relevant. See "How do I cite..." for more specific formatting.

Want to practice? Check out the MLA Style Guide's "Interactive Practice Template"