How to Write MLA Referencing Style
If you are a student or a researcher, then you must be familiar with referencing styles. Referencing styles are used to cite the sources used in a research paper, essay, or any other academic document. One of the most commonly used referencing styles is MLA (Modern Language Association). In this article, we will guide you on how to write MLA referencing style.
What is MLA Style?
MLA Style is a referencing style developed by the Modern Language Association. It is most commonly used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies. The MLA Style provides guidelines for citing sources in-text and in the Works Cited page.
MLA In-text Citation
In-text citation is a brief reference to a source cited in the body of the document. It provides the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. There are different ways to provide in-text citation in MLA style. Let’s take a look at them:
Author’s name in the sentence
If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, then it only needs to be followed by the page number in parentheses. For example:
“According to Smith (23), the study showed…”
Author’s name in parentheses
If the author’s name is not mentioned in the sentence, then it needs to be provided in parentheses along with the page number. For example:
“The study showed…” (Smith 23).
If the source has multiple authors, then all of the authors’ names need to be mentioned in the in-text citation. For example:
(Smith, Johnson, and Brown 23).
If the source has no author, then the title of the source needs to be mentioned in the in-text citation. For example:
(The Study of History 23).
MLA Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page is a list of sources cited in the document. It is placed at the end of the document and provides complete information about the sources cited in the document. The information provided includes the author’s name, the title of the source, the publisher, the date of publication, and the medium of publication. Here is how to format the Works Cited page in MLA style:
Author’s name
The author’s name is listed last name first, followed by the first name. For example:
Smith, John.
Title of the source
The title of the source is listed in italics and title case. For example:
The Study of History.
Publisher
The publisher’s name is listed after the title of the source. For example:
Academic Press.
Date of publication
The date of publication is listed after the publisher’s name. For example:
2010.
Medium of publication
The medium of publication is listed at the end of the citation. For example:
Print.
MLA Formatting
MLA Formatting is important for presenting your academic work in a professional way. Here are the rules for MLA formatting:
Font
The font used in MLA formatting is Times New Roman, 12-point size.
Margins
The margins in MLA formatting are 1 inch.
Line spacing
The line spacing in MLA formatting is double-spaced.
Header
The header in MLA formatting includes the author’s last name and the page number.
Title
The title of the document is centered and in title case.
Indentation
The first line of each paragraph in MLA formatting is indented by 0.5 inches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MLA referencing style is an important part of academic writing. It provides guidelines for citing sources in-text and in the Works Cited page. In-text citation provides a brief reference to a source cited in the body of the document, while Works Cited page provides complete information about the sources cited in the document. MLA Formatting is important for presenting your academic work in a professional way.
FAQs
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What is the difference between MLA and APA referencing style?
MLA is most commonly used in the humanities, while APA is most commonly used in the social sciences. -
Do I need to cite sources in a research paper?
Yes, citing sources is important to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original author. -
Can I use footnotes instead of in-text citation in MLA style?
Yes, footnotes can be used instead of in-text citation in MLA style. -
Can I use online sources in MLA referencing style?
Yes, online sources can be used in MLA referencing style. Make sure to provide the complete information about the source, including the URL. -
Is there any software to help with MLA referencing style?
Yes, there are many software programs available to help with MLA referencing style, such as Zotero and EndNote.
