based on MLA style

General Guidelines

1. The words Works Cited should be centered at the top of this page. Do NOT underline--or punctuate in any way--the words Works Cited. For format sample, click here.
2. Everything on the page should be double spaced with one inch margins.
3. Indent the second line (and any additional lines) of the citations 1/2 inch.
4. Entries should be alphabetized on the page. Use the first important word of each entry to alphabetize.
5. Only place sources on this list which actually appear in your paper--that is, only ones which appear in parenthetic or invisible citations.
6. Follow the punctuation of the citations PRECISELY.
7. If your source does not seem to fit any of these examples, see your teacher or a librarian for assistance.
8. There is a new site which is supposed to help you get your works cited entries correct, but it was under construction in 6/00. To see if it is now up and running, click here.
9. VERY IMPORTANT: Listed below are links to sample parenthetical citations for the most basic types of sources. Please understand that some sources are trickier, so you may need to look further. For a more complete overview of parenthetical citations, click here.

Book, one author/editor

If you have more than one book by the same author/editor, you should use three hyphens for the author's name in the second and all subsequent citations. 

Examples:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Book, two authors/editors

Examples:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.  

Book, three or more authors/editors

Examples:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Anthologies/Book Collections/Compilations

These are books with collections of criticism, poems, essays, etc. When citing them, you must decide whether you need to emphasize the editor or the author. If you are using material that the editor wrote, focus on the editor; if you are using a single poem or essay, emphasize the author of that poem or essay.

Examples:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Multivolume Works

If you are using only one volume of the set:

If you are using two or more volumes of the set:

Examples:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Article or Entry in Reference Book Examples(Encyclopedias, Biographical Dictionaries, etc.)

The MLA Handbook states that it is unnecessary to put volume and page numbers if the source is arranged alphabetically. MLA also says that you may omit the editor and publication information of well-known reference book sources.

Signed (has author)

Unsigned (no author)

Examples:

• Note: The third entry is an example of a reference book which is not well-known.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here for a signed article and here for an unsigned article.

Corporate Authors

Example:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Magazine/Journal Articles/Newspapers/Editorials

Signed (has an author)

Unsigned (no author)

Signed editorial

Unsigned editorial

Examples:

• Notice that there is no punctuation between the title of the newspaper/magazine and the date.
• Notice that newspaper page numbers have the section letter of the newspaper (A, B, C, etc.) in front of them.
• Notice that dates are written day month year with the month abbreviated.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here for a signed article and here for an unsigned article.

Pamphlets

Example:

• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

CD-ROM Examples

Note: With the fast-changing world of technology, some of the information asked for below could become archaic in a very short period of time. Put as much of this information as you can find in your works cited reference. Also check a site for MLA updates to make your citations as current as possible.

Signed article (has author)

Unsigned article (no author)

Examples:

• Notice that there is no punctuation between the title of the newspaper/magazine and the date.
• Notice that dates are written day month year with the month abbreviated.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here for a signed article and here for an unsigned article.

World Wide Web/Internet Examples

A note about the integrity of Internet sources: N.B. It is not a good idea to make a paper completely from Internet sources. A trip to the library and the use of reliable, printed sources will ensure that you have chosen a strong variety of supporting information for your paper's thesis. When you do use the Internet for some of your information, it is important to remember that NOT ALL INTERNET SOURCES ARE OF EQUAL VALUE. You must take care not to use worthless sites in a paper. Your choices: BEST: Professional journals or similar reputable sites associated with universities. VERY GOOD: Elibrary.com sources (EXCEPT for Monarch Notes). GOOD: Internet versions of major printed magazines or newspapers and government sites. POSSIBLY VALID: Other sites need to be evaluated VERY carefully. If in doubt, ask your teacher or a librarian.

Note: With the fast-changing world of technology, some of the information asked for below could be hard to find or could even become archaic in a very short period of time. Put as much of this information as you can find in your works cited reference. Also check a site for MLA updates to make your citations as current as possible.

Signed article (has author or editor)

 Unsigned article (no author)

Examples:

• Do not break the http address in the middle of a set of letters. It is really best to put the http address all on one line.
• Notice that dates are written day month year with the month abbreviated.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here for a signed article and here for an unsigned article.

Motion Pictures/Television Shows

Examples:

• Notice that dates are written day month year with the month abbreviated.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.

Interview

Example:

 

• Notice that dates are written day month year with the month abbreviated.
• To see a sample parenthetical citation for this type of entry, click here.