For MLA, you need two things: in-text citations and a Works Cited entry, both following MLA 9th edition guidelines. Here’s a clear, practical walkthrough.

Basics of MLA citations

  • Use MLA 9 (the current edition used in schools and universities).
  • Every source you quote, paraphrase, or summarize in your paper must appear in your Works Cited list, and every item in Works Cited must be cited in the text at least once.
  • MLA uses an author–page style for in‑text citations (last name and page number, no comma).

Example in-text:

According to Smith, reading improves empathy (42).
Reading improves empathy (Smith 42).

How to do MLA in‑text citations

Use an in‑text citation whenever you:

  • Quote directly.
  • Paraphrase ideas in your own words.
  • Summarize arguments or data.

General pattern:

  • If you name the author in the sentence: put only the page number in parentheses.
    • Example: Smith argues that climate policy is “inherently ethical” (88).
  • If you don’t name the author in the sentence: put author’s last name and page number in parentheses.
    • Example: Climate policy is “inherently ethical” (Smith 88).

Special cases:

  • No page numbers (e.g., webpages): just use the author’s name → (Smith).
  • Two authors: (Smith and Lee 45).
  • Three or more authors: (Smith et al. 45).
  • No author: use the first word(s) of the Works Cited entry, usually the title or organization name → (“New Ways” 4) or (World Health Organization).

How to format an MLA Works Cited entry

MLA builds every entry from nine core elements , in this order:

  1. Author.
  2. Title of the source.
  3. Title of the container (book, journal, website, etc.).
  4. Other contributors (editors, translators) if relevant.
  5. Version (edition).
  6. Number (volume, issue).
  7. Publisher.
  8. Publication date.
  9. Location (page range, DOI, URL).

General template:

Author. “Title of the Source.” Title of the Container , Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.

Example for an online article:

Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage/Article.” Website Title , Day Month Year, URL.

Example for a journal article:

Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Journal Title , vol. X, no. Y, Year, pp. xx–xx.

Works Cited page setup

Key rules for the Works Cited page:

  • New page at the end of your paper, title it Works Cited (centered, plain text).
  • Double‑space everything.
  • Use a hanging indent: first line of each entry flush left, all following lines indented 0.5 in.
  • Alphabetize entries by authors’ last names; if no author, alphabetize by the first word of the title (ignoring A, An, The).

Mini example:

text

Works Cited

Smith, John. “Climate Ethics in the 21st Century.” Journal of Global Policy, 
    vol. 10, no. 2, 2024, pp. 100–120.

“New Ways to Slow Down Global Warming.” Environmental Review, 2023, pp. 1–10.

(Each entry should be double‑spaced with hanging indents.)

General MLA paper formatting (quick view)

Most MLA papers also follow these layout basics:

  • 1‑inch margins on all sides.
  • Legible font (often Times New Roman 12 pt, if your instructor doesn’t specify).
  • Double spacing throughout, including the Works Cited.
  • Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 in.
  • MLA heading on the first page: your name, instructor, course, date; title centered below it.

Quick reference table

Here’s a compact reference you can glance at while writing:

[3][7] [5] [5] [5] [3][5] [5] [1][5]
Need What to do (MLA 9)
Basic in‑text citation Use author–page: (Smith 42) or Smith claims X (42).
Two authors (Smith and Lee 45).
Three or more authors (Smith et al. 45).
No author Use title or organization name: (“New Ways” 4) or (World Health Organization).
Webpage, no pages Just author or title: (Smith) or (“New Ways to Slow Down Global Warming”).
Works Cited order Author → “Title of Source.” → Title of Container → contributors → version → number → publisher → date → location.
Works Cited layout Own page, title “Works Cited,” double‑spaced, hanging indents, alphabetical by author.

Example: from quote to full MLA citation

Imagine you used this book:

  • Jane Brown’s 2022 book Media and Youth Culture , page 150.

In‑text:

  • Paraphrase: Youth are increasingly shaped by online media (Brown 150).
  • Quote: Brown argues that “social media now functions as a primary site of identity formation” (150).

Works Cited entry (print book):

Brown, Jane. Media and Youth Culture. Publisher Name, 2022.

Final tips and “latest” angle

  • Many schools now expect MLA 9, so always check your instructor’s syllabus or your writing center’s website to confirm you’re following their exact expectations.
  • Citation generators (like those from writing aids and student tools) can speed things up, but you should always double‑check capitalization, italics, and punctuation against an official or reputable MLA guide.

If you tell me what kind of source you have (book, article, website, YouTube video, etc.), I can write out the exact MLA in‑text and Works Cited examples tailored to it.