MLA referencing is the citation style of the Modern Language Association, used mainly in English, literature and the humanities. It uses brief in-text citations in the form (Author page number) and a full alphabetical list of sources called the Works Cited page at the end. UK universities use MLA in arts and humanities subjects where authorship matters more than date.
Key takeaways
- MLA stands for the Modern Language Association style, now in its 9th edition.
- In-text citations use (Author Page) with no comma, e.g. (Smith 23).
- Full sources are listed on a Works Cited page, not a bibliography.
- Entries are alphabetical by surname with a hanging indent.
- MLA is built from nine core elements applied to any source type.
What is MLA referencing?
MLA referencing is the system created by the Modern Language Association for writing in the humanities. It identifies sources with the author’s name and a page number, keeping in-text citations short so the writing flows. Every source is then described in full on the Works Cited page so readers can locate it.
How do MLA in-text citations work?
Place the author surname and page number in brackets, with no comma between them, e.g. (Austen 45). If you name the author in your sentence, give only the page number: Austen shows this clearly (45). For sources with no page number, use the author name alone.
How do you format an MLA Works Cited entry?
MLA 9 builds every entry from nine core elements: Author. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, location. Examples:
- Book: Smith, John. The Modern Novel. Penguin, 2019.
- Journal article: Brown, Aisha. “Reading Woolf.” Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 64, no. 2, 2020, pp. 210–28.
- Website: Green, Tom. “Studying Poetry.” The Poetry Hub, 4 Mar. 2024, www.poetryhub.example.
Quick MLA referencing examples
| Source | Works Cited format |
|---|---|
| Book | Smith, John. The Modern Novel. Penguin, 2019. |
| Journal | Brown, Aisha. “Reading Woolf.” Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 64, no. 2, 2020, pp. 210–28. |
| Chapter | Lee, Mark. “Tragedy.” A Guide to Drama, edited by P. Hall, Routledge, 2018, pp. 33–50. |
MLA Works Cited vs bibliography: what is the difference?
MLA uses a Works Cited page, which lists only sources you actually cited. A bibliography (used by some other styles) can include background reading you did not cite. In MLA, stick to Works Cited unless your tutor asks for an annotated bibliography.
Common MLA referencing mistakes to avoid
- Putting a comma between author and page: (Smith, 23) is wrong; use (Smith 23).
- Calling the list a “Bibliography” instead of “Works Cited”.
- Forgetting the hanging indent on Works Cited entries.
- Mixing MLA with Harvard or APA in one essay.
For broader help, see our guides on how to write an essay and how to write coursework, and the official rules at the MLA Style Center. For hands-on help, Projectsdeal offers an essay writing service, English literature assignment help and a dissertation editing service.
Frequently asked questions about MLA referencing
Is MLA referencing in-text or footnotes?
MLA referencing uses brief in-text citations in brackets, not footnotes. Footnotes are only used occasionally for extra explanatory comments.
What subjects use MLA referencing?
MLA referencing is used mainly in English, literature, languages, cultural studies and other humanities subjects.
Is MLA referencing easy to learn?
Yes. Once you learn the (Author page) pattern and the nine core elements for Works Cited, MLA referencing is straightforward to apply to any source.
How do I cite a source with no page numbers in MLA?
If a source has no page numbers, such as a website or e-book without fixed pagination, simply omit the page number from your in-text citation and use just the author’s surname, for example (Smith). If the source also has no named author, use a shortened version of the title instead.
What are the nine core elements of an MLA Works Cited entry?
The nine core elements are: author, title of source, title of container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location (such as page numbers or a URL). Not every source will have all nine elements, but you include whichever apply, in that order, separated by commas.
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MLA Referencing: Key Insights for UK Students
UK students who understand MLA referencing will find it greatly benefits their academic studies. MLA Referencing is a fundamental area that UK universities expect students to engage with at degree level.
Mastering MLA referencing requires both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Regular engagement with MLA referencing significantly improves academic performance.
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