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Research and Citation Resources

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If you are having trouble locating a specific resource please visit the  search page  or the  Site Map . The Citation Chart  provides a detailed overview of MLA Style, APA Style, and Chicago Manual of Style source documentation by category.

Conducting Research

These OWL resources will help you conduct research using primary source methods, such as interviews and observations, and secondary source methods, such as books, journals, and the Internet. This area also includes materials on evaluating research sources.

Using Research

These OWL resources will help you use the research you have conducted in your documents. This area includes material on quoting and paraphrasing your research sources, as well as material on how to avoid plagiarism.

APA Style (7th Edition)

These OWL resources will help you learn how to use the American Psychological Association (APA) citation and format style. This section contains resources on in-text citation and the References page, as well as APA sample papers, slide presentations, and the APA classroom poster.

These OWL resources will help you learn how to use the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation and format style. This section contains resources on in-text citation and the Works Cited page, as well as MLA sample papers, slide presentations, and the MLA classroom poster

Chicago Manual of Style

This section contains information on the Chicago Manual of Style method of document formatting and citation. These resources follow the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, which was issued in 2017.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Style

These resources describe how to structure papers, cite sources, format references, and handle the complexities of tables and figures according to the latest Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) guidelines.

American Medical Association (AMA) Style

These resources provide guidance on how to cite sources using American Medical Association (AMA) Style, 10th Ed., including examples for print and electronic sources.

Research Overview

We live in an age overflowing with sources of information. With so many information sources at our fingertips, knowing where to start, sorting through it all and finding what we want can be overwhelming! This handout provides answers to the following research-related questions: Where do I begin? Where should I look for information? What types of sources are available?

Conducting Primary Research

Primary research involves collecting data about a given subject directly from the real world. This section includes information on what primary research is, how to get started, ethics involved with primary research and different types of research you can do. It includes details about interviews, surveys, observations, and analysis.

Evaluating Sources of Information

Evaluating sources of information is an important step in any research activity. This section provides information on evaluating bibliographic citations, aspects of evaluation, reading evaluation, print vs. online sources, and evaluating Internet sources.

Searching Online

This section covers finding information online. It includes information about search engines, Boolean operators, Web directories, and the invisible Web. It also includes an extensive, annotated links section.

Internet References

This page contains links and short descriptions of writing resources including dictionaries, style manuals, grammar handbooks, and editing resources. It also contains a list of online reference sites, indexes for writers, online libraries, books and e-texts, as well as links to newspapers, news services, journals, and online magazines.

Archival Research

This resource discusses conducting research in a variety of archives. It also discusses a number of considerations and best practices for conducting archival research.

This resources was developed in consultation with Purdue University Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections staff.

Works-Cited-List Entries

Citations by format.

Entries in the works-cited list are created using the MLA template of core elements —facts common to most sources, like author, title, and publication date. To use the template, evaluate the work you’re citing to see which elements apply to the source. Then, list each element relevant to your source in the order given on the template. 

The examples below show you how to cite five basic source types. Click on an entry to get more information, as well as links to posts with more examples. For hundreds of sample entries by format, check out the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook . 

Book by One Author

Mantel, Hilary. Wolf Hall . Picador, 2010.

Book by an Unknown Author

Beowulf . Translated by Alan Sullivan and Timothy Murphy, edited by Sarah Anderson, Pearson, 2004.

An Edited Book

Sánchez Prado, Ignacio M., editor. Mexican Literature in Theory . Bloomsbury, 2018.

Online Works

Article on a website.

Deresiewicz, William. “The Death of the Artist—and the Birth of the Creative Entrepreneur.” The Atlantic , 28 Dec. 2014, theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/01/ the-death-of-the-artist-and-the-birth-of-thecreative-entrepreneur/383497/.

Book on a website

Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Masque of the Red Death.” The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe , edited by James A. Harrison, vol. 4, Thomas Y. Crowell, 1902, pp. 250-58. HathiTrust Digital Library , hdl.handle.net/2027/coo.31924079574368.

Journal Article in a Database

Goldman, Anne. “Questions of Transport: Reading Primo Levi Reading Dante.” The Georgia Review , vol. 64, no. 1, spring 2010, pp. 69-88. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/41403188.

Songs, Recordings, and Performances

Song from an album.

Snail Mail. “Thinning.” Habit , Sister Polygon Records, 2016. Vinyl EP. 

Song on a website

Snail Mail. “Thinning.” Bandcamp , snailmailbaltimore.bandcamp.com.

Concert Attended in Person

Beyoncé. The “Formation” World Tour. 14 May 2016, Rose Bowl, Los Angeles.

Movies, Videos, and Television Shows

A movie viewed in person.

Opening Night. Directed by John Cassavetes, Faces Distribution, 1977. 

A Movie Viewed Online

Richardson, Tony, director. Sanctuary . Screenplay by James Poe, Twentieth Century Fox, 1961. YouTube , uploaded by LostCinemaChannel, 17 July 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMnzFM_Sq8s .

A Television Show Viewed on Physical Media

“Hush.” 1999. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Fourth Seaso n, created by Joss Whedon, episode 10, Mutant Enemy / Twentieth Century Fox, 2003, disc 3. DVD.

A Photograph Viewed in Person

Cameron, Julia Margaret. Alfred, Lord Tennyson . 1866, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

A Painting Viewed Online

Bearden, Romare. The Train . 1975. MOMA , www.moma.org/collection/works/65232?locale=en.

An Untitled Image from a Print Magazine

Karasik, Paul. Cartoon. The New Yorker , 14 Apr. 2008, p. 49.

Citation Styles and Management Tools Guide

Mla 9th edition citation guides, mla handbook (9th edition), core elements.

• Citing Business Sources
• Citation Management Tools
• Other Online Citation Tools
• UConn MLA 9th Edition (PDF) Citation Style Guide Guide to citing using MLA with examples. Created by UConn Librarians.
• Purdue OWL MLA Guide Comprehensive guide to using the MLA style from Purdue University.

• MLA Works Cited: A Quick Guide Highly recommended resource! Examples of the core elements, practice identifying "containers," and a practice template to make your own citation!

MLA focuses on the core elements that are common to all the different types of citations you might make. Remember, one of the points of a citation is to help others find the work you have consulted. Keep that in mind as you put together your core elements!

Not  every  source is going to all of these elements.

• Title of Source (e.g. a book, article, chapter, song, or episode)
• Title of Container (e.g. a journal, a book, album, or TV show)
• Other Contributors (e.g. translator, editors, producers)
• Publication date

The creator of the source you're citing.

Title of the Source

Title of the Container - This can be a tricky one!

The Container is the larger whole that the source is part of. If you have a chapter in a book, it's a book. If you're citing a TV episode, it's the whole TV show. "In some cases, a container might be within a larger container. You might have read a book of short stories on Google Books, or watched a television series on Netflix. You might have found the electronic version of a journal on JSTOR. It is important to cite these containers within containers so that your readers can find the exact source that you used." (Purdue OWL)

Publication Date

"The same source may have been published on more than one date, such as an online version of an original source. For example, a television series might have aired on a broadcast network on one date, but released on Netflix on a different date. When the source has more than one date, it is sufficient to use the date that is most relevant to your use of it. If you’re unsure about which date to use, go with the date of the source’s original publication." (Purdue OWL)

Other Contributors

In addition to the author, there may be other contributors to the source who should be credited, such as editors, illustrators, translators, etc. If their contributions are relevant to your research, or necessary to identify the source, include their names in your documentation. (Purdue OWL)

If a source is listed as an edition or version of a work, include it in your citation. (Purdue OWL)

If a source is part of a numbered sequence, such as a multi-volume book, or journal with both volume and issue numbers, those numbers must be listed in your citation. (Purdue OWL)

The publisher produces or distributes the source to the public. (Purdue OWL)

The same source may have been published on more than one date, such as an online version of an original source. For example, a television series might have aired on a broadcast network on one date, but released on Netflix on a different date. When the source has more than one date, it is sufficient to use the date that is most relevant to your use of it. If you’re unsure about which date to use, go with the date of the source’s original publication. (Purdue OWL)

This refers to a location like page numbers, a URL, or the physical location of a physical object.

• MLA Interactive Practice Template

Test your ability to use MLA format in this quick, interactive exercise!

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• Next: ASA >>
• Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 8:36 AM
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Purdue Owl: MLA Formatting & Style Guide

Developed by the Purdue Online Writing Lab.  MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

Author/Editor (By:)

Contributor, corporate author, related organizations, citation type.

The Sheridan Libraries

Citing sources.

• Citing Generative AI Tools
• Chicago Style
• More Styles
• Citing Data
• Citing E-books
• Citing Images
• Citing Other Things
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Citing Audiovisual Materials

Ask a Librarian

Email us: [email protected]

Text us: 410-692-8874

Explore our  F AQ's

MLA Style Resources

• MLA Handbook
• Online Guides for Modern Language Association
• Generative Artificial Intelligence

• MLA Citation Style Examples Examples of MLA citations from Northwest Missouri State University Owens Library. Updated February 2021 or the 9th edition (the newest).
• MLA Style Center Use the search box for what you want to cite; for example, slide.
• Purdue OWL -- MLA Formatting and Style Guide From the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University. Includes formatting, in-text citations, references lists, and more.
• Purdue OWL -- MLA In-text Citations

Citing Generative AI (such as ChatGPT)  

How Do I Cite Generative AI in MLA Style? (Please read all of the information on the linked page. Note that as of May 15, 2024, some of their examples were based on out-of-date tools.)

• "cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by it"
• "acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location"
• make sure to check all sources that it cites
• << Previous: APA Style
• Next: Chicago Style >>
• Last Updated: Jun 2, 2024 7:35 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing

Citation Guides

• APA: Introduction
• APA: Articles
• APA: Websites and Software
• APA: Film, TV, Video
• APA: Images, Photographs
• APA: Talon, Guidelines, Policies, Emails
• APA: In-text Citations
• APA: References Page Formatting

MLA Citation Style: Printable Guide

Introduction to mla style, mla paper formatting directions, mla citation style: more guides and interactive forms, video help guides on mla style.

• MLA: Articles
• MLA: Websites
• MLA: Social media (Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
• MLA: Film, TV, Video, Audio
• MLA: Photos, Images, Artwork
• MLA: Talon, Self-citing, Interview
• MLA: Generative AI, ChatGPT
• MLA: Works Cited Formatting
• MLA: In-text Citations
• MLA: Tutorials
• MLA: Details on core elements
• Citation Managers
• Chicago Style

Use the left column to navigate this MLA help guide, or download the PDF linked below.

• MLA Style Guide (9th edition, PDF to download) 10-page PDF document which outlines MLA style for citations, in-text citations, and Works Cited page formatting.
• Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide (9th edition) Extensive online guide to MLA Citation Style, including basic rules, examples organized by source type, in-text citations and Works Cited page.

MLA style can refer to 3 different things:

• Citations: a way to format information that describes sources you use in your research.
• In-text citations: the brief references to those same sources, integrated into your own writing.
• Paper formatting and grammar guidelines: MLA provides guidance and suggested formatting for writing papers. This is not the focus of this guide, but we do have a brief summary of formatting rules in these pages . More extensive information on paper formatting is in the printed MLA Handbook , available at the Kirkwood Library.

Basic information on MLA style citations and this guide:

• This guide is organized by the type of format (such as book, e-book, website, video, etc.) of the source you want to cite. Click on the type of source you have on the left, and follow the directions and examples on that page.
• If you are new to MLA style, read through the MLA Style Basics page , or view our MLA Citation Help videos on YouTube. 
• MLA style citations are all built from the same set of core elements (such as author, title, and date published). MLA also uses the concept of publications as "containers" for sources. For detailed descriptions of core elements and how to format them, see the MLA: Details on core elements  page on this guide. 
• Our librarians are great resources for help with MLA. Stop by the library or click into our online chat under the Ask a Librarian tab on this page.
• We also provide videos that explain key concepts, and printable handouts for off-line use.
• MLA style citations are printed at the end of your paper as a "Works Cited" list. Each citation in the Works Cited list is double-spaced and has a hanging indent paragraph style. Please note that although our examples don't always show this hanging indent, it is always required for your Works Cited page. See our Works Cited guide for more information.
• This guide is based on the MLA Handbook , 9th edition, and on the MLA Style Center website . 

About the 9th edition:

The 9th edition of MLA Handbook , published in 2021, builds on the major changes introduced in the 8th edition, and provides more examples and guidance on citations and in-text citations than the 8th edition did. 

These directions are for how to format your document in Word or other word processing programs in MLA style.

From MLA Style Center, Formatting a Research Paper

• 1 inch on all sides (Word default) 
• To check margin settings, go to Word menu "Layout" then "Margins". It should be called "Normal" and show 1 inch margins all around.

Font style and size:

• Any readable font, where regular and italic have good contrast
• Generally 12 point font. MLA states the font size should be "set to a standard size"
• To change font of your paper, press Ctrl+A to select all text, then use the drop downs on the "Home" menu, in the "Font" section, to make any needed changes.

Line spacing

• Spacing throughout your paper should be double-spaced. This is NOT the Word default, and should be changed in the "Home" menu.
• To change line spacing, press Ctrl+A to select all text, then click the up-and-down arrows in the Home menu, in the Paragraph section, to select 2.0.
• In the same line spacing menu, also click "Remove space after paragraph".

Paragraphs and tab

• Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin. This should be the default tab size on Word.
• Indent quote blocks half an inch as well, using the "Increase Indent" button with the right-pointing arrow in the Paragraph menu section.

Heading and Title

• Begin at the top of the first page, flush with the left margin.
• Type your name, your instructor's name(s), the course numbers, and the date, each on separate lines. Double-spaced.
• On a new, double-spaced line, use the "Center" button in the Paragraph menu section to center your title. Do NOT put title in quotes, italics, or all caps. Follow title capitalization, capitalizing the first word and all important words. Do not use a period in your title.
• Begin your first paragraph one double-spaced line after the title, and return to left-flush margin. Tab to indent your first line a half inch.
• See sample heading and title on the MLA Style formatting page . 

Page numbers and running header

• Number all pages of your paper, in the upper right-hand corner. In Word, find the automatic page number settings in the "Insert" menu, "Header & Footer" section. Click "Page Number" drop down, move mouse to "Top of Page" and select the number in the top right-hand corner.
• When the page number appears on your paper, leave the cursor there and type in your last name. This creates the running header for your paper.
• If your instructor prefers no running header on the first page: While your cursor is still in the header area, click the box in the "Desgin" menu "Options" box that says "Different first page". This should take the page number and your last name off the first page, but leave it on the remaining pages.
• Sample Essays: Writing with MLA Style Find here a collection of essays, all good examples of using MLA Style in formatting a paper.
• MLA citation practice template (Word doc) Download this template as a Word document to print or type in for practice in creating MLA 9th edition style citations.
• Active template for MLA style, Excel format This blank template guides you through the steps of creating an MLA style citation by locating and typing in core elements, creating a citation to copy and paste into your document.
• Active template for MLA style, Google sheets format This blank template guides you through the steps of creating an MLA style citation by locating and typing in core elements, creating a citation to copy and paste into your document. Requires a Gmail or Google login.
• How to Format Works Cited page with hanging indent, Word or Google Docs Step by step instructions on how to format a hanging indent for your Works Cited page, using MS Word or Google Docs.
• MLA Style Center: ask a question Citation resources and frequently-asked questions from the Modern Language Association, creators of the MLA Citation Style.

This YouTube video playlist contains videos to help you understand every aspect of MLA Citation Style.

More MLA Style Videos

• Introduction to Citing: MLA 9th edition Basic introduction to MLA style
• Citation Basics: Containers. MLA 9th edition Describes the concept of "containers" as used in MLA citation style.
• Citation Basics: Core Elements. MLA 9th edition Describes the concept of "core elements" in MLA style, and demonstrates the use of a template to create a citation that can be copy and pasted into a document.
• Basics of Citing MLA: In text citations, 8th or 9th edition How to format in-text citations.
• Formatting Works Cited list using Google Docs Demonstrates how to format a hanging indent using Google Docs
• Formatting Works Cited list using Microsoft Word Formatting hanging indent on Microsoft Word
• How to use Google Docs Citation Tool: Add Citations / pt. 1, MLA This video shows how to use the updated (2020) Citations tool within Google Docs to add citations to your Google Doc. This is not a standalone tool, but works within a paper you write in Google Docs.
• How to use Google Docs Citation Tool: In Text Citations & Insert Bibliography / pt. 2, MLA Directions on how to use the Google Docs Citation Tool to insert in-text citations into your paper, and how to insert a list of works cited (MLA) or references (APA) as a bibliography.
• Citations: using Microsoft Word Reference tab (old: MLA 7th ed.) A quick intro to using Microsoft Word "References" tab to create and format your citations. **Note: Microsoft Word has not updated their References tab for MLA or APA style. If you use this feature, you will need to make many edits to your final citations to make them correct for the latest style updates.
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• Next: MLA: Books >>
• Last Updated: Jun 26, 2024 9:07 AM
• URL: https://guides.kirkwood.edu/citation

Ask A Librarian Help

The links in the MLA Style Center reflect MLA Style 9th Edition. 

The links in Purdue OWL reflect MLA Style 9th Edition. 

• Citation Style Chart via Purdue OWL:
• MLA Works Cited: Electronic Sources (Web Publications) Websites, pages on websites, eBooks, images, eArticles, social media...
• MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources Interviews; speeches, lectures, or presentations; panel discussions; painting, sculpture, or photograph; conference proceedings, song or album; film or movie; podcasts; digital files
• MLA Works Cited Page: Books in Print
• MLA Works Cited Page: Periodicals in Print (Journals, Magazines & Newspapers)
• MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics
• MLA Style Sample Paper
• MLA Style Sample Works Cited
• MLA 9th PowerPoint Presentation

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• Last Updated: May 29, 2024 11:48 AM
• URL: https://libguides.ggc.edu/ENGL_4412_Weiss

• University of Maine Augusta
• Resource Guides
• Citing Your Sources - Purdue OWL, Excelsior OWL, and Valencia College
• Chicago/Turabian Style
• Copyright & Avoiding Plagiarism
• Writing & Grammar

• Did you know?
• Citing sources is crucial
• Free citation tools

Did you know  that almost ALL of UMA Libraries' catalogs and databases will  create citations for you?  When you find a resource, simply scan the database for a  "(quotation mark)"  icon, or for a label such as  Cite this Item,  or  Cite,  or  Citation Export.

Giving Credit to Whom It Is Due

When you write a research paper, you must document the sources you used to produce it. When quoting or even paraphrasing another person's idea in your paper, you must give credit to that person so that the reader can find the source you cited.

Sources for which you should provide full citations include books, articles, interviews, Internet sources, government documents, software, videotapes, etc. You cite the sources briefly within the text of your paper, and then give the full citation in the "Bibliography" or "Works Cited" section at the end of your paper.

Additionally, IT IS REQUIRED. See UMA's  Academic Integrity Policy  which spells out your responsibility as a student. The way to avoid plagiarism is to carefully cite all sources used. Your instructors will indicate which citation style they want you to use when citing your sources. Most often this is either APA or MLA citation style.

Please double-check citations before submitting your work! We cannot guarantee the accuracy of citations created using these free, online tools.

Citation Machine

Citation Managers

ZoteroBib (ZBib)

The UMA Writing Centers and VAWLT   (Virtual, Accessibility, Writing, Library & Technology tutors) offer UMA learners free online writing help and tutoring sessions. Visit their websites to learn more!

• UMA Writing Center - Augusta
• UMA Writing Center - Bangor
• Writing help
• Writing Centers

The UMA Writing Centers and VAWLT  offer UMA students free, online tutoring sessions. Visit their websites to learn more!

The UMA Writing Center supports writers and fosters a culture of writing at UMA, both in person & online.

UMA VAWLT provides virtual support to by chat, email, & Zoom.

• UMA VAWLT Virtual Accessibility, Writing, Library, and Technology tutors (VAWLT) more... less... The UMA VAWLT provides virtual support to UMS students by chat, email, and Zoom.
• Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• CMOS - Chicago/Turabian

The  Online Writing Lab (OWL)  at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

Please be careful of the ads!

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)  site  is a fairly comprehensive resource for the Modern Language Association's (MLA) style and formatting rules. Use the left side bar on OWL's page to navigate to the style or other help that you need.

UPDATED TO 9th ed.

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)  site  is a fairly comprehensive resource for the American Psychological Association (APA) style and formatting rules. Use the left side bar of the OWL page to navigate to the style or other help that you need.

CMOS  Style

• OWL @ Excelsior College
• Chicago/Turabian

MLA In-Text Citations                                   MLA Works Cited

MLA Style Demo (videos)                             MLA Activity (tutorial)

APA In-Text Citations                                    APA References

APA Formatting Guide                                  APA Headings (setting up the paper)

APA Activity (tutorial)                                          APA Side By Side   (compares reference, in-text citation,                                                                                                                      and in-text citation with author set-up)

Chicago Formatting Guidelines                Chicago Notes & Bibliography

Format a Citation in APA Style Using EBSCOhost

Citation help from Academic Search Complete & other EBSCO databases

Academic Search Complete (along with Business Source Complete, PsycInfo, and other EBSCO databases) will create a citation for you! Look for the "Cite" button to view citations in all the major citation formats.

Citation Basics & Links

Citing your sources is an important step in the research and writing process.  Choose one of the following to get started:

Documentation style depends on your area of study. For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is often used in the social sciences, whereas the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used in the humanities. Check with your professor to be sure you are using the right style for your papers.

Here's a short overview of citations:

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• Last Updated: Jun 27, 2024 11:14 AM
• URL: https://umalibguides.uma.edu/citationguide

• Academic Writing Templates and Checklists
• Choosing and Developing an Essay Topic
• Citing with Purdue OWL
• Eliminating Wordiness
• Lab Reports
• Providing Writing Assistance
• Quotation Integration
• Revising and Proofreading
• Scholarship Applications
• Thesis Statements
• University-Level Writing Expectations
• Writing Motivation

Citing Correctly Using Purdue OWL

Access Purdue Online Writing Lab’s citation guides from their website ( https://owl.purdue.edu ):

• Select the Online Writing Lab
• From the menu on the left, select “Research and Citation”
• This opens a drop-down menu with commonly used citation styles (APA 6 th  and 7 th  Editions, MLA, Chicago, IEEE, AMA, and ASA)

The three most common citation styles are MLA , APA , and Chicago. Select the style you’re using from the drop-down menu, then click the “Formatting and Style Guide” tab. All three include:

• “General Format” tab, showing how to format a title page/header, and sections/headings where applicable. Note: APA has a separate headings tab. 
• Books—author-specific issues, ex. a text has no known author or multiple authors, citing multiple texts by the same author, etc.
• Periodicals— citing newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals 
• Electronic/Web Sources—citing websites, e-books, emails, social media, etc. 
• Sample Papers with notes on formatting, especially helpful for visual learners

MLA and APA use in-text citations and have separate tabs for these from the Works Cited tabs (MLA) and Reference List tabs (APA). Chicago uses endnotes or footnotes and includes these rules with the bibliographic entry rules in each source tab listed above. 

Where to find how to cite…

Speeches, Lectures, Presentations

• MLA—Other Common Sources
• APA—Other Non-Print Sources
• Chicago—Miscellaneous Sources

Television, Movies, Music

• APA—Audiovisual Media
• Chicago—Audiovisual Recordings and Other Multimedia

Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus.  Questions? Email  [email protected] . 

Purdue Online Writing Lab . Purdue University,  https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html . 

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• Last Updated: Oct 26, 2022 4:28 PM
• URL: https://libguides.mcmaster.ca/c.php?g=718509

Citation Guide

• APA Style - 7th Edition

Introduction to MLA Style

Creating mla citations: examples, paper formatting guidelines & sample papers, in-text citations & the list of works cited, examples of works cited & in-text citations, software tools for mla style, works cited for this page.

• Chicago/Turabian Style
• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
• Tools for Managing Citations
• Citation Season!

What is MLA Style?

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. MLA Style is an established style for formatting your paper and giving credit to your sources. 

This page provides resources for all the elements of a preparing a paper in MLA Style, including formatting, in-text citations, and the works cited list.

Disciplines at Caldwell that use MLA Style include English, history, theology, philosophy, and others.

MLA Quick Links

• Quoting and Paraphrasing in MLA Format This video course is all about quoting and paraphrasing sources in your paper! Learn rules of quoting and paraphrasing responsibly, and see examples of in-text citations in MLA format.
• Purdue OWL Guide to MLA Style Purdue OWL has resources about many citation styles. Here is their section on MLA

An Article from a Journal Found in a Library Database (a source in two containers)

from MLA Handbook chapter 5.100-103, The Three Most Common Types of Entries

A Chapter or Section of a Book Accessed through an Online Repository (a source with two containers)

An Episode of a TV Show Watched on an Online Platform (a source in two containers)

A Chapter or Section of a Print Book (a source in one container)

A Print Book (a source that is self-contained)

• Sample MLA Papers These sample student papers show MLA formatting for all details of a research paper. Look a the structure of the page, how quotes are incorporated, and how works are cited.
• Formatting Your Research Project (MLA Handbook, Ch. 1) Instructions for formatting your paper in MLA style, including margins, title, headers and footers, headings and subheadings, etc.
• The Writing Process Purdue OWL's Guide to academic writing in MLA Style, including grammar, mechanics, and punctuation.
• Mechanics of Prose (MLA Handbook, Ch. 2) Guidance on all the details of writing, such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, how format titles and names in your paper.

In-Text Citations

• In-Text Citations: The Basics Basic instructions from Purdue OWL about how to format in-text citations in MLA Style. This is how you credit your sources when you mention them in the text of your paper.
• Citing Sources in the Text (MLA Handbook, Ch. 6) This chapter starts with the basics of citing your sources in the text of your paper. It covers many situations you might encounter.

Works Cited Page

• MLA Style 101 This video course goes through each "element" of the MLA works cited page entry (like author, title, publisher) and shows how to identify what belongs in each element. This will help you create works cited page entries and know how to edit citations that a database generates!
• Interactive Practice Template Learn how to create citations for your Works Cited page!
• How to Cite Books This page from Purdue OWL covers the basics of citing books as well as what to do in a variety of situations. This page has guidance on multiple authors, an organization as author, translations, anthologies, and more.
• How to Cite Electronic Resources (aka things you found online) This page from Purdue OWL covers works cited page entries for most kinds of online sources, including scholarly journal articles in a library database, ebooks, government agency websites, online news, a YouTube video, personal email correspondence, and more.
• Citation Examples from the MLA Handbook This is a regularly updated list of citations for a wide variety of sources. It's organized by source, so scroll down or use ctrl-F to search the page for the kind of source you want to see, like "translated book" or "YouTube Video".

Journal Article Found in a Library Database

Works cited page entry.

Lorensen, Jutta. “Between Image and Word, Color, and Time: Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series.”  African American Review , vol. 40, no. 3, 2006, pp. 571-86. Academic Search Premier, each.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? Drect=true&db=f5h&AN=24093790&site=eho st-live.

In-text citation

(Lorensen 577)

Newspaper Article Found in a Library Database 

Fessenden, Ford, et al. "The Battle for New York's Key Voting Blocs in the Primaries."  New York Times , 19 Apr. 2016, p. A 14.  ProQuest Central , ezproxy.caldwell.edu:2048/login?url=http:// search.proquest.com/ docview/1781721245?accountid=26523.

(Fessenden et al. A14)

Article from an Online News Source

Chang, Kenneth. “NASA Will Send More Helicopters to Mars.” The New York Times , 27 July 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/science/mars-sample-mission-nasa.html.

Dorris, Michael, and Louise Erdrich.  The Crown of Columbus . HarperCollins Publishers, 1999. 

(Dorris and Erdrich 110-12)

Article or Specific Chapter from a Book 

Copeland, Edward. “Money.”  The Cambridge Companion to Jane Austen , edited by Copeland and Juliet McMaster, Cambridge UP, 1997, pp. 131-48. 

(Copeland 135)

Webpage on a Website 

“Infographic: Benefits of Language Learning.” Modern Language Association , 2022, www.mla.org/Resources/Advocacy/Infographics/Infographic-Benefits-of-Language-Learning.

("Inforgraphic: Benefits of Language Learning")

Film on an App 

Mamma Mia . Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Universal Pictures, 2008. Netflix app. 

( Mamma Mia ) or ( Mamma Mia  59:03-61:23) - cite a specific scene with timestamps in the page number spot

There are many tools that can help you create, manage, and organize your citations and your references page. Here are some that the library provides or recommends for students and faculty. 

NoodleTools is an online tool that helps you take notes and correctly format citations. MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian citation styles are included. Use throughout your research project to track sources, take notes, create outlines, collaborate with classmates, and format bibliographies. Use this link to create an account.

• ZoteroBib ZoteroBib is a free service that helps you build a bibliography from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software. It's from the team behind the open source citation management app Zotero. ZBib can create a draft citation from a link or ISBN and has helpful templates for you to use to manually create citations. You can use it for MLA, APA, or Chicago Style.

The information on this page comes from the MLA Handbook, 9th Edition. This book can be cited in MLA style like this:

MLA Handbook.  9th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021. 

The elements used here are: [2. Title of source]  MLA Handbook.  [5. Version]  9th ed., [7. Publisher]  Modern Language Association of America, [8. Publication date]  2021. Because the publisher is an organization who is also the author, this organization - the Modern Language Association - is only listed once, as the publisher. 

An in-text citation for this handbook could be ( MLA Handbook  45) to refer specifically to something on page 45. 

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Citation Guide

• A Quick Guide to Resources

Subject Guide

Changes in 9th edition

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook was published in 2021. In this update, the format for both in-text and Works Cited citations is the same as the 8th edition. The 9th edition also includes this clarification on citing a film/DVD.

A film/DVD: Generally list film directors as key contributors in the Contributor element Blade Runner . 1982. Directed by Ridley Scott, director’s cut, Warner Bros., 1992.

Examples of MLA Style

In-text Citation

Creating a Works Cited Page

With MLA style, you must include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper. A Works Cited page is an alphabetical listing of the resources cited in your paper. Below are some examples of MLA style citations. Note: Some instructors may require access dates for websites or other pieces of information. Please check with your instructor if you have any questions.

• Official MLA Style Center

A Modern Language Association hosted website with information on MLA citation and related resources. The MLA Style Center does not contain the full text of the handbook, although it walks users through the process of creating an entry in the works cited list.

• Purdue Online Writing Lab

Online writing lab with formatting tips and sample papers. The "Cite your source automatically" feature on Purdue Owl pages is part of another website, and not recommended.

• Excelsior Writing Lab

Citation examples, videos, and formatting guides for MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.

• Citing Government Information using MLA

Information on citing government print and electronic resources using MLA citation style. (Courtesy of the University of Nevada-Reno)

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Citation Guides

What is mla, how does mla citation work, what are mla "containers", examples and support from the mla style center, examples and support from purdue owl, sample papers in mla style, tips for making a works cited, how do i cite ai text generators such as chatgpt, sbu libraries mla citation workshops.

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• Citation Tools

MLA Handbook

What's new in MLA 9?

MLA released the 9th edition of its handbook in April 2021. Ask your professor if you are unsure whether you should use MLA 8 or MLA 9. Most guidance related to citations remains the same in the ninth edition , and major changes focus on making existing rules more clear, especially in regard to including the "container" of the source. For more information, see:

• MLA Ninth Edition: What's new and different? Purdue OWL's summary of major changes in the ninth edition of MLA.
• MLA Style Center Comparison Chart (8th vs 9th edition) This chart compares the 8th edition of the MLA handbook with the 9th edition.
• Introduction to Citation Styles: MLA 9th ed. This is a video, created by the CSU Dominguez Hills Library, which offers detailed citation guidance in MLA 9.

MLA stands for "Modern Language Association," which provides a style handbook that serves as an important guide for writing and formatting papers. This guide is most often used within arts and humanities disciplines by authors engaging in textual analysis and literary criticism.

MLA citation makes up an important part of the MLA style guide, and is the focus of this page. Many university writing teachers use MLA citation as the default citation style for their students, no matter what the subject of the student's paper is.

Like most citation styles, MLA works by coordinating an in-text citation--which appears by each paraphrase, summary, or quotation throughout the paper--with a source list at the end of paper, which, in MLA is called the "Works Cited." Here is a sample Works Cited page, provided by the Purdue OWL . Note the "hanging indent" which makes it easy for your reader to scan your source list to find the information referenced in the in-text citation. The formatting and placement of the in-text citations and source list citations can depend on the type of source, whether or not there is an author, how many authors, whether there are page numbers, where you found the source, and a variety of other factors.

An example of an in-text citation for a journal article, as paired with the full citation in the Works Cited, is shown below:

MLA "containers" are designed to be flexible ways of thinking about how to label different elements of your citation. The "core elements" are the author and title, each of which are followed by a period, and the "container elements" are any number of elements such as title of container, version, number, publisher, date, and/or location, all of which are separated by a comma with a period after the final element. Not all elements in the container may be relevant to your source. Keep in mind that sometimes there might be only one container, and sometimes there may be more than one container. You can practice creating citations using containers on the MLA Style website's Practice Template .

• Interactive Practice Template (MLA Style Center)
• Works Cited: A Quick Guide (MLA Style Center)
• Citations by Format (MLA Style Center)

How to format Works Cited entries for different formats:

• Online Works (article on a website, book on a website, journal article in a database, and others)
• Songs, Recordings, and Performances
• Movies, Videos, and Television Shows
• In-Text Citations: The Basics (Purdue OWL)
• Works Cited Page: Basic Format (Purdue OWL)
• MLA Formatting and Style Guide (Purdue OWL)
• Periodicals
• Electronic Sources
• Other Common Sources
• Sample Papers in MLA Style Links to the five essays that won the 2019 MLA Student Paper Contest.
• Guidelines on formatting papers in MLA Style Guidelines on margins, text formatting, title, running head, and more.
• The Works Cited should start on a new page and be double-spaced with a hanging indent. The hanging indent helps to emphasize the first element of the citation.
• Alphabetize in together author last names and sources without authors. (Use the title for those without authors.)
• Remove "http" from URLs (except with DOIs, see below).
• For academic articles, use the DOI (digital object identifier), if available, rather than the permalink. Include the DOI using the prefix https://doi.org/ and remove the hyperlink. If there is no DOI, then use the permalink (do not use the URL from the top URL bar).
• For 3 or more authors: use the first author followed by et al.
• If you cannot find an example to help you cite the particular source you used, try to fit in the elements using the container method as best as you can, or ask for help.

The MLA Style Center has made recommendations for how to cite generative AI, as of March 23, 2023:

MLA: Citing Generative AI

However, be aware that this conversation continues to rapidly evolve about when, whether, and how to use and/or cite AI text generators. Keep in mind the following specifically about ChatGPT:

• ChatGPT does not cite sources; it not designed as a research tool (as of early 2023). Generative AI is constantly changing and evolving, but it should always be assumed that content generated could be biased, taken out of context, or simply fabricated. 
• If you do engage with ChatGPT for reasons that are appropriate and permitted, then you might consider including a transcript of your conversation as an appendix to your paper or project, so your reader can reference both your prompt and ChatGPT's entire response. One of the most important reasons to cite your sources is to make the resources findable by your reader, and to make the research replicable. Because ChatGPT's responses are not replicable, providing the transcript allows your reader insights they will not be able to get otherwise.
• Until the rules are clearer, your most important source of information for when, whether, and how to cite ChatGPT or other text generators in your coursework will be your professor.  Always ask your professor if you are allowed to engage with ChatGPT or another text generator as part of your work for your assignment.
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Citation tools

Many students and scholars use these tools to "grab" a citation and store it with their research materials for reference and for possible inclusion in a bibliography or cited sources section of a paper. 

Just be aware that the citations you copy are often slightly flawed and will need to be checked before adding to your final bibliography!

Check out the page on this guide to see how to find the automatic citation generators in the online library catalogs and databases you as you search.

Zotero is a research management tool that can be used as a FireFox plug-in, or as a standalone software on your computer. Zotero is designed to store, manage, and cite bibliographic references, such as books and articles.

"ZoteroBib helps you build a bibliography instantly from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software. It’s brought to you by the team behind Zotero, the powerful open-source research tool recommended by thousands of universities worldwide, so you can trust it to help you seamlessly add sources and produce perfect bibliographies. If you need to reuse sources across multiple projects or build a shared research library, we recommend using Zotero instead."

The Purdue OWL is often considered the go-to source for information about citations. The OWL goes beyond citation convention rules for each style, it offers information about when to cite and how to incorporate citation into your writing.

Google scholar provides citations for articles from the search result list (currently MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard or Vancouver). To grab a citation click on the quotation mark link below a search result and select from the available citation styles.

Citation Machine is designed to help you generate your APA or MLA citations. You can select your citation style and the type of resources you need to cite. Remember to always double check generated citations, as there may be errors.

• Visit our citation help page

Scientific writing and style guides

• American Chemical Society Ethical Guidelines to Publication of Chemical Research (2015) See Section B "Ethical Obligations of Authors"

Writing & Citation Web Resources

Seton Hall Online Writing Lab   the OWL, is designed to assist students, faculty, and staff with their writing. SHU restricted

The Owl at Purdue (writing & citation guide)

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MLA 8th ed. Style Guide

• Formatting Your Paper
• In-Text Citations examples
• Websites/pages

Sample Paper

• MLA 8th ed. Sample Paper Find examples of how to format and use MLA citation style in papers. Features both in-text and work cited page citations.

Below are some basic guidelines to use when formatting your research paper using MLA citation style.  However, some professors may have specific preferences when using MLA.  Make sure to follow your professor's specific guidelines over MLA recommendations.

Font: 

The Modern Language Association (MLA) permits any font to be used for papers. However, they do recommend that the font be legible and distinct when using the regular and italics of that font.  

Using 12 point font is recommended.  

Line Spacing and Margins:

Use one inch margins on all sides of the document. 

Put only one space after periods. 

Double space between all lines in the document. 

When a quote is more than four (4) lines long, make it a block quote with a margin of one half inch from the left margin.  

Headings and Title: 

MLA does use headers that feature numbers that only number the pages.  When using numbers as a header, make sure the numbers are set in the top right hand corner of the document.  They need to be one-half inch from the top of the page and flush with the right margin. 

MLA does not use a title page; however, if your professors requests a title page, then use a title page for your paper.  

Purdue Online Writing Lab. General Format, 2020.  https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html . 

        Accessed  8 April 2020. 

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Citation Guide

• Citation Basics
• Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing & Patchwriting

Citation Manuals

Speak to a librarian on how to get access to a citation manual.

This guide will direct you to information and resources on using different citation styles for your course projects.

In this guide you will find generic information about the importance of citing your sources , different citation styles you may be asked to use, and links to helpful plagiarism and citation related resources . You will also find useful information on how to incorporate resources into your paper using quotes, paraphrases and summaries , as well as information on patchwriting and how to avoid it.

Already know what citation style you need to use?  Use the navigation tabs on the left to jump to the guide for that style and find the information you need.

Have questions or need further assistance? Contact a librarian!

Citation Styles

What are citation styles.

Citation styles are specific methods of formatting research papers and projects and citing sources to give appropriate credit to authors for their ideas and work.

Common Citation Styles

The two main citation styles you are likely to use in your courses are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association).

Additional citation styles you may use include Chicago, and AMA (American Medical Association).

Plagiarism & Citations

Why is citing important.

Citing is important because it...

• Shows your readers you've done proper research into your topic
• Allows readers to track down the sources you used
• Shows you are a responsible scholar who gives credit to other researchers and acknowledges their ideas
• Allows you to avoid plagiarism and the associated consequences when you use another's words or ideas

(adapted from  Overview - Citing sources - LibGuides at MIT Libraries )

What do I Need to Cite?

(adapted from  UT Arlington Acknowledging Sources tutorial  and with permission from  Purdue University Online Writing Lab - Plagiarism FAQs)

Check out Purdue OWL's "Should I Cite This?" flow-chart for help deciding if something should be cited.

What is Common Knowledge?

Definitions.

Common knowledge is generally understood to be any information that the average, educated person would know or accept as true without needing to look it up.

The Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning defines common knowledge as information "that most educated people know or can find out easily in an encyclopedia or dictionary."

Purdue OWL says that common knowledge refers to information that can be found uncited in at least 5 reliable sources.

Types of Common Knowledge

In keeping with the definitions of "common knowledge" above, there are three main categories that common knowledge could fall into:

• A tomato is a fruit.
• Seoul is the capital of Korea.
• Einstein's theory of relativity or E=MC 2 (energy = mass x the speed of light squared)
• The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
• Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C.
• Kamala Harris was the first woman to be elected Vice-President of the United States.
• In astronomy, it is widely known that black holes are the result of stars that go supernova.
• In psychology,
• In literature, it's common knowledge that Frankenstein is not the name of the monster, but the name of the scientist who created the monster.

(inspired from  What is Common Knowledge? | Academic Integrity at MIT )

Questions to Consider

Since the concept of "common knowledge" is so broad consider the following questions when deciding whether to cite something that could be considered common knowledge in your work:

• If yes, the information might be considered common knowledge.
• If no, the information is likely not considered common knowledge and should be cited.
• If you're writing for an audience of experts in the field, you might be able to consider a basic piece of discipline-specific information common knowledge.
• If you're writing for a general audience, you should not consider the information common knowledge and cite your source.
• If the information is considered foundational in your field it can likely be considered common knowledge.
• If you're reader might be surprised by your statement or it could be refuted by other sources it's probably not considered common knowledge and you should cite your source.

(adapted from  What Is Common Knowledge? | Definition & Examples (scribbr.com) )

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is when you intentionally or unintentionally use another person's words or ideas without giving them proper credit (i.e. citing them) and pass off their ideas or words as your own. At it's most basic level, plagiarism is intellectual theft.

The CSCU Student Code of Conduct defines plagiarism as "the submission of work by a student for academic credit as one’s own work of authorship which contains work of another author without appropriate attribution."

Examples of Plagiarism

(adapted with permission,  Purdue University Online Writing Lab - Plagiarism FAQs)

What are the Consequences of Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a very serious offense and depending on the intent and level of plagiarism you could face consequences ranging from relatively minor to severe. If you are found to have plagiarized, some possible consequences you might face include:

• A failing grade on the assignment
• A failure for the course
• Being put on academic probation
• Being suspended or expelled from the college
• If you plagiarize outside the college environment you could be fired from your job or face legal action against you

See the CSCU Student Code of Conduct beginning on page 25 for more information on disciplinary procedures and sanctions at CT State Community College.

How Can I Avoid Plagiarism?

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to ALWAYS cite your sources , whether you're quoting a source directly, paraphrasing, or summarizing words, or ideas from another person or entity. Both in-text citations and works-cited entries are always necessary. Below are some specific tips on avoiding plagiarism:

• Use quotation marks when using the same exact words from your source
• Longer quotations (generally more than 3 sentences) are typically NOT put in quotation marks but indented on a separate line. Check the appropriate style gudie (MLA, APA, etc.) for proper formatting.
• Always include both an in-text and works-cited citation

Paraphrasing and Summarizing

• To correctly paraphrase or summarize, the wording AND sentence structure must be changed to reflect your own understanding of the information
• Give explicit credit to ALL sources you took ideas, information, or language from regardless of the initial format (written, audio-visual, graphic, etc.).
• Clearly differentiate between your own ideas and any thoughts or information borrowed from another source by including in-text citations in the appropriate locations
• Make sure your in-text citations and works cited page (also known as reference list or bibliography) are properly formatted according to your citation style. Use our citation style guides to check your formatting. Ask a librarian if you have questions.
• Always include both in-text citations and a works-cited page listing all sources used

(adapted from  Plagiarism - Academic Integrity & Plagiarism - LibGuides at Kwantlen Polytechnic University )

Additional Resources

• for Citations
• for Plagiarism

General Resources

• Purdue OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) has thorough information on writing and citing sources using different citation styles, avoiding plagiarism, and guidelines on writing for different purposes.
• Excelsior OWL The Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) has information on the writing and research process, and frequently used citation styles, among other resources.
• WorldCat WorldCat is a global, online library catalog you can use to locate resources and find bibliographic information for citations.

Citation Generators

*Be cautious when using a citation generator! Citation generators are machines that take the available information and format it into a citation using the indictated style (i.e. MLA, APA, etc.). Since they are automated, they can be prone to error including missing information or mistakes in formatting like missing punctuation or italicis. As such, you should ALWAYS double check the citation generated by a machine and make sure it's accurate yourself. Use the resources available in our citation guides to check the correctness of a citation or ask a librarian for help.

For more information, see Purdue OWL's guide on Using Citation Generators Responsibly.  

• Citation Machine Citation Machine is an online citation generator you can use to create citations in MLA, APA, and other formats. It also has a tool that will check your paper for plagiarism.
• KnightCite An online citation generator maintained by Hekman Library of Calvin University in Michigan.
• ZoteroBib ZoteroBib is a free, open-sourced tool that helps you build a bibliography and create in-text citations from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software.
• How to Recognize Plagiarism tutorial (Indiana University) A comprehensive tutorial on identifying plagiarism and how to avoid it with the option to take a test and receive a certification.
• Acknowledging Sources tutorial (University of Texas at Arlington Libraries) A brief tutorial on how to acknowledge your sources and avoid plagiarism.
• APA Style Avoiding Plagiarism Guide A PDF handout outlining common forms of plagiarism with tips on how to avoid it.
• Best Practices to Avoid Plagiarism (Purdue OWL) Tips and strategies to help you avoid plagiarism in your writing or course projects.
• Avoiding Plagiarism (MIT Writing & Communication Center) A guide from the MIT Writing and Communication Center on plagiarism and tips for how to avoid it.
• Plagiarism.org A website with useful resources for educators on plagiarism and how to teach students what it is and how to avoid it.

Plagiarism Detectors

• PlagiarismDetector.net A free online plagiarism detection tool you can use to check if you accidentally plagiarized, or professors can use to verify the work you submitted is your own.
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Citation Resources

- BibMe Film Citations Guide

- GSU MLA Citation LibGuide

- MLA Style Center Citation Guide

- Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)

MLA Works Cited Page Basics

From the purdue owl -.

• Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of your paper.
• Only the title should be centered. The citation entries themselves should be aligned with the left margin.
• Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries.
• Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inches to create a hanging indent.
• List page numbers of sources efficiently, when needed. If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 225 through 250, list the page numbers on your Works Cited page as pp. 225-50 (Note: MLA style dictates that you should omit the first sets of repeated digits. In our example, the digit in the hundreds place is repeated between 2 25 and 2 50, so you omit the 2 from 250 in the citation: pp. 225-50). If the excerpt spans multiple pages, use “pp.”   Note that MLA style uses a hyphen in a span of pages.
• If only one page of a print source is used, mark it with the abbreviation “p.” before the page number (e.g., p.157). If a span of pages is used, mark it with the abbreviation “pp.” before the page number (e.g., pp.157-68).
• If you're citing an article or a publication that was originally issued in print form but that you retrieved from an online database, you should type the online database name in italics. You do not need to provide subscription information in addition to the database name.

MLA In-Text Citing Basics

Two types of non-print sources you may encounter are films and lectures/presentations:

In the two examples above “Herzog” (a film’s director) and “Yates” (a presenter) lead the reader to the first item in each citation’s respective entry on the Works Cited page:

Herzog, Werner, dir. Fitzcarraldo . Perf. Klaus Kinski. Filmverlag der Autoren, 1982.

Yates, Jane. "Invention in Rhetoric and Composition." Gaps Addressed: Future Work in Rhetoric and Composition, CCCC, Palmer

     House Hilton, 2002. Address.

Citing Films or Movies

List films by their title. include the name of the director, the film studio or distributor, and the release year. if relevant, list performer names after the director's name..

Speed Racer . Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, performances by Emile Hirsch, Nicholas Elia, Susan Sarandon, Ariel

     Winter, and John Goodman, Warner Brothers, 2008.

To emphasize specific performers or directors, begin the citation with the name of the desired performer or director, followed by the appropriate title for that person.

Lucas, George, director. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope . Twentieth Century Fox, 1977.

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