How to Do a Works Cited Page in MLA

MLA Works Cited pages apply mainly to Humanities papers.

The Modern Language Association (MLA) designates how to cite works in liberal arts and humanities academic papers. Often students in undergraduate studies will use MLA guidelines. MLA style requires writers to create a dedicated Works Cited Page for all references cited in the body of a paper. Follow the Works Cited Page format and the individual guidelines for types of works cited.

Instructions

1. 

   Alphabetize entries on a MLA Works Cited Page.

   Follow MLA Works Cited Page general guidelines. StudyGuide.org lists the MLA Works Cited Page formatting requirements, which include, but are not limited to, creating a Works Cited Page on a dedicated page. Number the page consecutively with the rest of your paper. Alphabetize entries by last name first. The Purdue Online Writing Lab instructs you to indent all lines but the first by five spaces and to include the Medium of Publication, such as "Website" or "Print." Do not insert quotation marks.

2. 

   MLA specifies a format for books by multiple authors.

   Write a book entry on an MLA Works Cited Page according to number of authors. For books with multiple authors, enter the first name that appears on the book. Use last name first format. Enter additional authors by first name, last name. Italicize the book title. Include the city of publication, with a colon, the publisher's name, followed by a comma and the publication year. End this sequence with a period. Enter the type of medium and end with a period. Using OWL's example for books with more than one author, an MLA Works Cited Page entry will read -without quotation marks-"Roizen, Michael F., and Mehmet C. Oz. You: The Owners Manual. New York: Collins, 2005. Print. Italicize the title.

3. 

   Electronic sources require specific MLA formats.

   Follow MLA basic guidelines for electronic sources, including websites and databases. Since websites are fluid, do not expect to find every bit of information every time. Gather as much information as possible. OWLs list of MLA general criteria includes, but is not limited to, site author(s), article title in quotation marks, website title and posting dates. OWLs example of an MLA Works Cited entry for an entire website reads-without quotation marks "Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical Theory. Purdue U, 28 Nov. 2003. Web. 10 May 2006."

References

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format
• Study Guide: MLA Format: MLA Works Cited
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): MLA Works Cited Page: Books
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): MLA Works Cited: Electronic Sources (Web Publications)