How to Cite Two or More Books by the Same Author Using MLA Style

Attention to details like this indicate that great care, concern and precision went into your research paper.

In MLA style, the writer of a research paper uses a noninvasive parenthetical note in the text to direct the reader to a simple resource reference on a "Works Cited" page. In an effort to keep things simple, MLA has a special way of indicating on the Works Cited page that two or more books are by the same author. It is important to follow this format when such an issue arises, so that your instructor sees you have taken care to follow all rules of research and documentation.

Instructions

1. List all of the information for all of the titles by the same author, using the appropriate MLA style and format. This means that you should lay out the information for each book in this order:_Title_. City of publication: Publisher, Year of publication.

2. Alphabetize the entries by title. This will determine the order in which they appear in the list.

3. Place three hyphens in front of every title, except for the one that appears first in alphabetical order. These hyphens should be accompanied by a period. The entries should now all look like this:- - -. _Title_. City of publication: Publisher, Year of publication.

4. List the author's name in front of the first title. The name should appear in the order last name, first name, middle initial. The finished product will appear in a list like the one below. For the sake of the example, the author's name is Jennifer Bufsky and she has written three works used in the paper in question. Bufsky, Jennifer. _Title_. City of publication: Publisher, Year of publication. - - -. _Title_. City of publication: Publisher, Year of publication. - - -. _Title_. City of publication: Publisher, Year of publication.

Tips & Warnings

• It is generally easiest to fill out all of the required information for every text, then go back and reformat the books that have the same author or other practical issues. This will help make sure you do not leave anything out.

• Plagiarism--even when unintentional--can result in expulsion from your academic program and total loss of professional credibility, so it is vitally important that you carefully cite all research that went into the formulation of your own original conclusions.