MLA 9.

0
Style Guide
Winter 2023
 MLA 1

Table of Contents
Welcome to MLA .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Glossary ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Paper Formatting ............................................................................................................................... 3
General Formatting .................................................................................................................................. 3
First Page .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Where/When to Cite..................................................................................................................................... 5
In-Text Citations................................................................................................................................. 6
Quotation vs. Paraphrase ......................................................................................................................... 6
Indirect Citations ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Consecutive Citations in MLA ................................................................................................................... 7
Block Quote .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Elements of Works Cited .................................................................................................................... 8
Authors’ Names in Works Cited................................................................................................................ 8
Title Capitalization .................................................................................................................................... 9
Date .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
URL ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Abbreviation Rules.................................................................................................................................. 10
Works Cited Examples ...................................................................................................................... 10
Online Sources ................................................................................................................................. 10
Journal Article from an Online Database ........................................................................................... 10
Article From a Website ....................................................................................................................... 11
Article From a Website without an Author ........................................................................................ 11
Corporate Author ............................................................................................................................... 11
Government Department................................................................................................................... 12
Article From a Newspaper/Magazine ................................................................................................ 12
E-book ................................................................................................................................................ 12
Print Sources ................................................................................................................................... 13
Book.................................................................................................................................................... 13
Anthology ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Class Notes and Lecture ..................................................................................................................... 13
Recorded Media .............................................................................................................................. 14
Film Viewed on Online Streaming Sites (Netflix, Crave, etc.) ............................................................ 14
Videos Viewed on Kanopy and National Film Board (NFB) ................................................................ 14
Videos Viewed on Sharing Sites (YouTube, Vimeo) ........................................................................... 14
Videos Viewed on Sharing Sites with a Different Speaker than Uploader......................................... 15
Citing Images ............................................................................................................................... 15
Images Originally Published Offline ................................................................................................... 15
Images Originally Published Online .................................................................................................... 16
Example Works Cited with Notes...................................................................................................... 17
Helpful links..................................................................................................................................... 17
 MLA 2

Welcome to MLA
This guide provides instructions and examples for citing sources in MLA style.
What is MLA?
MLA stands for Modern Language Association, which is the name of the group who standardized this style of
formatting and citations.

What is a citation?
Citations are a way to show where you where you found the information you are sharing in your work.

When do I have to cite?

Every sentence with outside information (anything that is NOT your thoughts or interpretations) should end
with a citation and have a corresponding reference in your Works Cited at the end of your paper.

Do I have to memorize the style guide?

No. Keep the style guide with you as you write and reference it when you have questions.

Glossary
MLA Modern Language Association
Last Name A family name or surname.
Stable URL/Permalink or A link that will stay consistent over time. A Digital Object Identifier is a unique
DOI string used for online journals and academic articles.
et al. Means and others—used in cases of three or more authors.
Corporate Author A company, association, organization, government department or agency.

Accessed date The date that you first read the source.
Inverted Words placed in the opposite order, such as moving the last name to the front
(last name, first name).
Indent The 1.27 cm or 0.5-inch space from the margin on the first line of every
paragraph and second line of every Works Cited entry.
Anthology An edited collection featuring articles/short stories by different authors.
Page Range The numbers of the first and last page in a work. To format this, you would
write pp. 12-45, for example.
Consecutive Citation A sentence that needs a citation followed immediately by another sentence
that needs a citation.
Pseudonym An alternative name such as a stage name, pen name, or username, that is not
traditionally reversible.
Indirect Citation When you are using the ideas of one author written in another person's work.
You will cite the author you are reading, NOT the one they are quoting.
 MLA 3

Paper Formatting
• Below are instructions on how to correctly format an MLA paper in Microsoft Word.

General Formatting

Letter Size 1-inch or 2.54cm margin

First line indent and hanging indent

• Highlight Text
• Right click
• Select “Paragraph”
• Select “First line” or
“Hanging"
 MLA 4

Font Left Aligned

• Times New
Roman
• 12pt font

Double-Spaced

• Highlight text
• Right click
• Select “Paragraph
Options.”
• Click “Line spacing”
• Select “Double”

Header (Page number)

• Select “Insert” tab
• Click “Page Numbers”
• Select top right image
 MLA 5
First Page

• Student’s last name and page number in the top right corner of the header.
• Student’s name, Instructor’s name, Course code, and the Date at the top of the first page, left aligned.
• Place the title of the essay after the above information, centered.
• Begin the first paragraph on the next line after the title, indented 1.27 cm or 0.5 inch.

Identifying
information is
left aligned.
Last name and
page number are
right aligned.

Title, centered.

First line indent.

Double spaced,
Times New
Roman,
12-point font.

Where/When to Cite
Put citations in two places: Include in-text citations for:
In-text Citations – In the body of the essay, use Direct quotes – use quotation marks “ ” to
brackets () after every sentence that includes outside show that they are the author’s original words.
information. Paraphrases and summaries.
Work Cited – A complete list of all sources in General ideas or concepts of another author.
alphabetical order on a separate page at the end of the Research data, statistics, or lines of argument.
paper.
 MLA 6

In-Text Citations
To cite in-text, include two pieces of information in parentheses () at the end of a sentence:
• Author’s last name(s)
• Page number (skip this if there is no page number)

In-text citation Explanation

1 Author (Gilbert 133) Only use the author’s last name.
Do not add a comma between the name and
page number.
2 Authors (Groake and Tindale 33) Do not use an ampersand (&).
3+ Authors (Belch et al. 99) Only write the first author’s last name
followed by “et al.”
No Page Number (Elengical) If there is no page number, do not add one.
Corporate Author (Health Canada 6) When there is no single author for a work
written by a company, organization, or
Full name: Simon Fraser University government department, use their name or a
(SFU 23) recognized acronym.
No Author - Book (Go Ask Alice 44) Book titles should be Italicized.
No Author - Article Full title: “The Impact of Global Shorten title to the first three words or a
Warming in North America” phrase.
Put titles in “quotation marks.”
(“Impact of Global Warming” 37) Remove articles (the, a, an).
Movie (Spirited Away) A timestamp is the time of a specific scene
expressed in hours, minutes and seconds—
(Spirited Away 01:35:15-01:38:48) HH:MM:SS.

Use a timestamp when you refer to a specific

scene in a movie.

Do not use a timestamp when you summarize

or make general comments.

Quotation vs. Paraphrase

Direct Quote “A key goal of Indigenous style is to show respect on the page" (Younging 87).

Paraphrase Treating the page with respect is one of Indigenous style’s primary objectives
(Younging 87).

• Paraphrases do not require quotation marks.

• Paraphrases and Direct Quotes require the same citation information.
 MLA 7
Indirect Citations

• When the ideas of one author are written in another person's work, cite the author you are reading,
NOT the one they are quoting.
• Use the words "qtd. in" (short for quoted in) to show that the author you read is quoting from a source
they read.

“William James said, “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving
to be appreciated” (qtd.in Everly).

Consecutive Citations in MLA

• Use consecutive citations when citing the same source multiple times with no other sources cited in
between.
• Initially, cite a source as normal. The second time a source is cited, use only the page number.
o If the page number is not available, use the author’s last name again.
The first citation has
With page numbers: all the required
information.
When considering factors of youth mental health, “Family-focused treatment ‘packages’ in LMICs is

particularly important” (Pedersen et al. 2038). Some key environmental aspects that foster mental well-

being are “parent mental health, family cohesion and parent-child attachment” (2037).
The second
citation has
If a source does not have a page
only the page
Without page numbers: number, repeat the author’s last
number.
name.

When considering factors of youth mental health, “Family-focused treatment ‘packages’ in LMICs is

particularly important” (Pedersen et al.). Some key environmental aspects that foster mental well-being

are “parent mental health, family cohesion and parent-child attachment” (Pedersen et al.).

Block Quote
Your own
• A block quote is any quote that is more than four lines. writing that
leads into the
Eating foods with a high-potassium content can be good for the function of cells in the body, quotation.

No quotation In contrast, high-potassium foods that are low in carbohydrates, such as meat, may result in
marks.
greater increases in serum potassium levels. The processing of foods may also influence

1.27 cm or
potassium content because there are hidden sources of potassium due to food additives and
0.5 inch
indent on products such as low-sodium salt substitutes. (Clegg et al. 477) A period after the last
the whole word and nothing after
quotation. the citations.
 MLA 8

Elements of Works Cited

• The Works Cited is a list of all the sources used throughout an assignment or academic paper on a
separate page at the end.
• Works Cited entries have a very specific format and organization. The following sections detail how
each element of the Works Cited should appear.

Authors’ Names in Works Cited

*NOTE: Author names are inverted (last name comes first, and first name is second) in a Works Cited entry

Author’s name on the Author’s name in

Explanation
source Works Cited
1 Author Invert the names in the order
John Winslow Irving Irving, John W.
of last, first, middle initial.
2 Authors Only the first author’s name
Leo A. Groarke and Groarke, Leo A., and is inverted.
Christopher W. Tindale. Christopher W. Tindale. Write the second author’s
name regularly.
3 + Authors Only the first author’s name
Stanley J. Shapiro, Kenneth
is written.
Wong, William D. Perreault, Shapiro, Stanley J., et al.
Write et al. to represent the
E. Jerome McCarthy
other authors.
Corporate Use the full name of the
World Health Organization World Health Organization
Author organization.
No Author - Put book titles in italics.
Go Ask Alice Go Ask Alice.
Book
No Author - “The Impact of Global “The Impact of Global Put the full article title in
Article Warming in North Warming in North “quotation marks.”
America.” America.”
YouTube videos 13 Smallest Animals in the “13 Smallest Animals in Use “quotations marks”
World the World.” around YouTube video titles.
Movies Spirited Away Spirited Away Put movie titles in italics.

Uncommon name formats Original name Name in Works Cited

Hyphenated names Joseph Gordon-Levitt Gordon-Levitt, Joseph

Multiple last names Lindsey bat Joseph bat Joseph, Lindsey
Multiple first names Anne Marie Bennett Bennett, Anne Marie
 MLA 9
Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey
Multiple middle names Sutherland, Kiefer W. F. D. G. R.
George Rufus Sutherland
First name is an initial C. S. Lewis Lewis, C. S.
Pseudonym Lady Gaga Lady Gaga

Title Capitalization

• Titles are written by capitalizing the initial letter of all first, last, and major words
o Major words are content words, verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs

Title on Source: The real world of teenage cyberbullying.

Title in the Works Cited: The Real World of Teenage Cyberbullying.

Date

• Write the date in the order of day, month, year

o 12 Dec. 2014
• Use the date of the “last update” or “last revision”
• If there is no date for a source, then include an accessed date.
o Accessed 29 Mar. 2022.
• Months longer than 4 letters are abbreviated using the first 3 letters.

January → Jan. July → July

February → Feb. August → Aug.
March → Mar. September → Sep.
April → Apr. October → Oct.
May → May November → Nov.
June → June December → Dec.

URL

• Use stable URLs. This is also known as a permalink.

• Remove the https:// from all URLs
• Leave the https:// on DOIs

Original URL https://www.muskokaregion.com/ community-story/9422211-a-

brief-history-of-the-madaoueskarini-algonquin-people/.

URL in Works Cited www.muskokaregion.com/ community-story/9422211-a-brief-

history-of-the-madaoueskarini-algonquin-people/.
 MLA 10
Abbreviation Rules

• There are some common abbreviations that are used in the Works Cited. These are usually found in
books/textbooks.

Edition ed.
Editor ed.
Editors eds.
Revised rev.
Canadian Cdn.

Works Cited Examples

• Use the Works Cited format as a template to organize the information of a Works Cited entry.
• Replace the information in the box with the source specific information.
o The content without a box should be written as is in the Works Cited entry.
o Replace all instances of # with the applicable number.
▪ vol. # → vol. 8

Online Sources

Journal Article from an Online Database

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. “Article Title.” Journal Title, vol. #, no. #,
Format
Publication date, pp. # - #. Database name, Stable URL or DOI.

Clegg, Deborah J., et al. “Impact of Dietary Potassium Restrictions in CKD on Clinical
Works Cited
Example
Outcomes: Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet.” Kidney Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, 2020,

pp. 476-487. Science Direct, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.2020.04.007.

(Clegg et al. 478).

In-text citation
 MLA 11

Article From a Website

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. “Article Title.” Website Name, Publisher,
Format
Publication date or last updated, Stable URL.

Luckasavitch, Christine. “A Brief History of the Madaoueskarini Algonquin People.”

Works Cited
Example
Muskoka Region, 6 June 2019, www.muskokaregion.com/community-

story/9422211-a-brief-history-of-the-madaoueskarini-algonquin-people/.

(Luckasavitch).
In-text citation

Article From a Website without an Author

Works Cited “Article Title.” Website Name, Publisher, Publication date or last updated,
Format
Stable URL.

“How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips.” The Muse, The Muse Editor, 27
Works Cited
Example
Nov. 2019, www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-

need-to-know.
Note: All written sources
(“How to Write”).
In-text citation without an author begin with the
title in the Works Cited.

Corporate Author

Works Cited Organization’s name. “Article Title.” Website Name, Publisher,

Format
Publication date or last updated, Stable URL.

Simon Fraser University. “A New and Better Summit.” Simon Fraser University Library,
Works Cited
Example
8 Aug. 2022, www.lib.sfu.ca/about/reach-us/news-events/summit-new-website.

(SFU).
In-text citation
 MLA 12

Government Department

Works Cited Organization’s name. “Article Title.” Publisher,

Format
Publication date or last updated, Stable URL.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. “How to Access Global Talent.”

Works Cited
Example
Government of Canada, 12 June 2021, www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-

citizenship/campaigns/hire-immigrants.html.

(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

In-text citation

Article From a Newspaper/Magazine

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. “Article Title.” Magazine/Newspaper Title,
Format
Publication date or last updated, Stable URL.

Teitel, Emma. “The Real World of Teenage Cyberbullying.” Maclean’s, 23 Oct. 2012,
Works Cited
Example
www.macleans.ca/society/life/bullied-to-death/.

(Teitel).
In-text citation

E-book

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. Title of E-Book Publisher, Publication date.
Format
Website, Stable URL.

Gaiman, Neil, and Terry Pratchett. Good Omens. Transworld, 2011. Kobo,
Works Cited
Example
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/good-omens-1.

(Gaiman and Pratchett 78).

In-text citation
 MLA 13

Print Sources

Book

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. Book Title, Publisher, Year.
Format
Groarke, Leo A., and Christopher W. Tindale. Good Reasoning Matters, 3rd ed. Oxford
Works Cited
Example
University Press Canada, 2004.

(Groarke 46).
In-text citation

Anthology

Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article/Short Story/Play.” Anthology Title,
Format
edited by Editor’s first name last name, Publisher, Year, pp. #-#.

Sharp, Robert. “Nietzsche on the Cylon Uprising.” Introducing Philosophy Through Pop
Works Cited
Example
Culture, edited by William Irwin and David Kyle Johnson, Wiley-Blackwell,

2010, pp. 194-203.

(Sharp 103).
In-text citation

Class Notes and Lecture

Works Cited Instructor’s last name, first name. “Lecture Title [if applicable].” Course Name.
Format
Institution Name, Location, Date. Lecture.

Abbott, Cindy. “18th Century Authors.” English 101: Authors Through the Centuries.
Works Cited
Example
Alexander College, Burnaby, 3 Aug. 2022. Lecture.

(Abbott).
In-text citation
 MLA 14

Recorded Media

Film Viewed on Online Streaming Sites (Netflix, Crave, etc.)

Works Cited Movie Title. Directed by Director first name last name, Studio name,
Format
Theatrical release year. Site Name, URL.

Works Cited Steve Jobs. Directed by Danny Boyle, Universal Studios, 2015. Netflix,
Example
www.netflix.com.

(Steve Jobs 01:12:30-01:13:48).

In-text citation

Videos Viewed on Kanopy and National Film Board (NFB)

Works Cited Video Title. Directed by Director first name last name, Publisher,
Format
Date of publication. Database, URL.

Works Cited Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941. Kanopy Streaming
Example
Video, www.kanopy.com/product/citizenkane.

(Citizen Kane).
In-text citation

Videos Viewed on Sharing Sites (YouTube, Vimeo)

Works Cited “Video Title.” Website, uploaded by Uploader, Date uploaded,

Format
URL.

Works Cited “13 Smallest Animals in the World.” YouTube, uploaded by Talltanic, 8 Jan. 2017,
Example
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU9yc6OTqGY.

(“13 Smallest Animals in the World”).

In-text citation
 MLA 15

Videos Viewed on Sharing Sites with a Different Speaker than Uploader

Works Cited “Video Title.” Website, uploaded by Uploader, performed by Performer,

Format
Date uploaded, URL.

“What do top students do differently?” YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, performed by

Works Cited
Example
Douglas Barton, 26 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8m4GPqA30.

(“What do Top Students do Differently?”).

In-text citation

Citing Images

Images Originally Published Offline

Works Cited Last Name, First Name. Title of Work. Website/Book of image location,
Format
by Name of Author/Publisher of website/book, Year published,

p. #. Originally published in Location, by

Original Creator’s Last name, First Name, City, Original creation date.

“Topsell, Edward. Manticore. Curious Woodcuts of Fanciful and Real Beasts, by

Works Cited
Example
Konrad Gesner, Dover, 1971, p. 8. Originally published in The History of Four-

Footed Beasts and Serpents, by Topsell, Edward, London, 1658.

Shortened in-
Fig. # Creator’s first name last name, Title of Work,
text citation

Shortened name of the website/book, Year Created.

Fig. 1 Edward Topsell, Manticore, Woodcuts, 1658.

In-text citation
 MLA 16

Images Originally Published Online

Works Cited Last Name, First Name. “Title of Work.” Website Name,
Format
Publisher, Publication date. URL.

Scola, Cathy. “Colourful Jelly Beans.” Photots.com, Getty Images, 10 Apr. 2020.
Works Cited
Example
www.photos.com/featured/colorful-jelly-beans-photo-by-cathy-

scola.html?utm_source=GettyImages&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=G

ettyImagesBuyPrint.

Shortened in-text
Fig. # Creator’s first name last name, “Title of Work,” Year uploaded.
citation

Fig. 1 Cathy Scola, “Colourful Jelly Beans,” 2020.

In-text citation
 MLA 17

Example Works Cited with Notes

Works Cited

Abbott, Cindy. “18th Century Authors.” English 101: Authors Through the Centuries. Alexander College,

Burnaby, 3 Aug. 2022. Lecture.

Clegg, Deborah, J., et al. “Impact of Dietary Potassium Restrictions in CKD on Clinical Outcomes: Benefits of
Each source has a
hanging indent
a Plant-Based Diet. Kidney Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, 2020, pp. 476-487. Science Direct,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.202.04.007.

Gaiman, Neil and Terry Pratchett. Good Omens. Transworld, 2011. Kobobooks.com,

www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/good-omens-1.
https:// is
“How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips.” The Muse, The Muse Editor, 27 Nov. 2019,
removed

www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-need-to-know.

Sources are listed Works Cited Checklist

alphabetically • Double-spaced
• Alphabetical order
• https:// is removed
• Title Works Cited Is centered
• Hanging indent
• Dates are abbreviated

Helpful links
❖ Purdue Owl: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
This website has a lot of information and examples for citations.
❖ WLC: https://alexander.mywconline.com/index.php
Book an appointment with the WLC for help with assignments and citations.

**The following page is a Works Cited for the sources used in this guide.
 MLA 18

Works Cited

Clegg, Deborah, J., et al. “Impact of Dietary Potassium Restrictions in CKD on Clinical

Outcomes: Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet.” Kidney Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, 2020, pp.

476-487. Science Direct, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.202.04.007.

Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941. Kanopy Streaming Video,

www.kanopy.com/product/citizenkane.

Elengical, Jerry. “A Quest for Identity in the Modern Architecture of the Middle East.”

Rethinking the Future, www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-styles/a3486-a-quest-

for-identity-in-the-modern-architecture-of-the-middle-east/. Accessed 15 June 2021.

Gaiman, Neil and Terry Pratchett. Good Omens. Transworld, 2011. Kobobooks.com,

www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/good-omens-1.

Groarke, Leo A., and Christopher W. Tindale. Good Reasoning Matters! 3rd ed. Oxford

University Press Canada, 2004.

“How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips.” The Muse, The Muse Editor, 27 Nov.

2019, www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-need-to-know.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. “How to Access Global Talent.” Hire

Immigrants, Government of Canada, 12 June 2021, www.canada.ca/en/immigration-

refugees-citizenship/campaigns/hire-immigrants.html.

Pedersen, Gloria. A. et al. “A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Family and Parenting

Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Child and Youth Mental Health

Outcomes.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 28, no. 8, 2019, pp. 2027 – 2038.

Social Science Full Text, 10.1007/s10826-019-01399-4.

Simon Fraser University. “A New and Better Summit.” Simon Fraser University Library, 8 Aug.

2022, www.lib.sfu.ca/about/reach-us/news-events/summit-new-website.
 MLA 19

Steve Jobs. 2015. Directed by Danny Boyle, Universal Studios, 2015. Netflix, www.netflix.com.

“13 Smallest Animals in the World.” YouTube, uploaded by Talltanic, 8 Jan. 2017,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU9yc6OTqGY.

"Want to learn better? Start mind mapping" YouTube, uploaded by TEDxTalks, Performed by

Hazel Wagner, 13 Dec. 2017. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nTuScU70As

“What do top students do differently?” Youtube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, Performed by

Douglas Barton, 26 Mar. 2015. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8m4GPqA30.