How to Cite an Encyclopedia in MLA Format

One of the best authoritative and credible sources you can use in a term paper is an encyclopedia. But sometimes problems arise because citing an encyclopedia can be tricky. Use these steps as a guide for properly citing an encyclopedia source.

Instructions

1. Start with the author's last name in the works cited/bibliography. Remember that works cited are always in descending alphabetical order with the author's last name first.

2. Write the article's title and place it in quotes to denote that it's an article (Example: Smith, John. "Clocks."). If there is no author to the article, you can cite the article in place of the last name.

3. Write the title of the Encyclopedia and underline it. Example: Smith, John. "Clocks." World Book Encyclopedia (underline style).

4. List the editor of the Encyclopedia, if applicable. Denote this in the citation as Ed. First name Last name.

5. List the number of volumes in the Encyclopedia's collection.

6. List the edition number, if applicable.

7. List the city in which the Encyclopedia was published and the name of the publisher.

8. List the year the Encyclopedia was published.

9. List the volume the article appears in, if applicable.

References

• Purdue University Online Writing Lab

Resources

• Long Island University's MLA Citation Style page