Introduction
Citing sources is a crucial aspect of academic writing, and it is essential to properly cite websites in MLA format to give credit to authors and maintain academic integrity. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide to accurately citing a website in MLA format.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Citing Websites in MLA Format
To cite a website in MLA format, you need to have certain pieces of information, including the author’s name, the title of the page, the title of the website, the publisher or sponsor of the site, the date published, and the URL or DOI. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cite a website in MLA format:
1. Start with the author’s name, begin with the last name followed by the first.
2. Follow the author’s name with the title of the page in quotation marks.
3. Next is the title of the website in italics.
4. Followed by the publisher or sponsor of the website, followed by a comma.
5. Then add the date the page was published
6. Finish the citation with the URL or DOI.
Here is an example of a properly formatted website citation in MLA format:
Tolson, Amy. “Home Repairs for New Homeowners: 5 Tips Every New Homeowner
Needs to Know.” Home Repair Tips, Fixer Upper Publishing, 12 Sept. 2021,
www.homerepairtips.com/blog/home-repairs-for-new-homeowners-5-tips-every-new-homeowner-needs-to-know.
Everything You Need to Know About Citing a Website in MLA Style
Despite knowing the necessary information to include in a website citation, people may run into issues that could make the citation process challenging. Here are some common issues people face when citing websites in MLA format, and how to address them:
Missing author information: When the author’s name is not available, begin the citation with the title of the article in quotation marks, followed by the title of the website in italics, the publisher or sponsor of the website, and the date the page was published.
Example: “The Benefits of Mindfulness.” Mindfulness and Meditation, Green Living Publishing, 3 June 2021, www.mindfulnessandmeditation.com/benefits-of-mindfulness.
Multiple authors: When citing an article with multiple authors, list all authors’ names, separating the last two with a comma and an ampersand before the last author’s name.
Example: Smith, Beth, and John Doe. “How to Cite a Website in MLA Format: A Guide for
Students.” Educational Publishing, 6 Jan. 2022, www.educationalpublishing.com/how-to-cite-a-website-in-mla-format.
Publication dates: When a website does not publish the date of the article, use the date you accessed the article.
Example: “The Effects of Climate Change.” Climate Change Research Institute, 3 Jan. 2022, www.climatechangeresearch.edu/effects-of-climate-change. Accessed 6 Jan. 2022.
URLs with brackets or special characters: When citing a website with a URL that includes brackets or special characters, enclose the URL in angle brackets “< >“.
Example: “The Importance of Sleep.” Sleep Research Institute, 21 Dec. 2021, www.sleepresearchinstitute.com/blog/(the-importance-of-sleep).
The Ultimate Guide to Citing Websites in MLA- Tips and Tricks
Citing websites in proper MLA format can be a time-consuming process, but following these tips can help streamline the citation process:
Using a citation generator: Citation generators can help you create accurate citations and save time. Websites like EasyBib and Citation Machine can create citations by inputting the information you have.
Creating a reference list as you go: As you research and gather information, take note of resources you plan to use and create a reference list, including all needed citation information. This will help you avoid having to go back and search for needed information later.
Checking your citation against a reference guide: Double-check your citation to ensure it matches the necessary guidelines. The Purdue OWL website is a great resource for guidelines and provides examples of properly formatted MLA citations.
However, while these methods have their advantages, it is essential to understand their limitations and potential drawbacks to avoid making mistakes, so it is crucial to double-check your citations and correct any errors.
How to Properly Cite a Website in MLA Style- A Comprehensive Tutorial
Here are examples of properly formatted MLA citations for a variety of website formats:
A webpage with an author:
Last name, First name. “Webpage Title.” Website Title,
Publisher or sponsor of the site, Day Month Year published, URL.
Example:
Smith, John. “Healthy Snacking Habits To Improve Your Diet.” Healthline,
Health Media Ventures, 21 Jan. 2022, www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-healthy-snacks
A webpage without an author:
“Webpage Title.” Website Title, Publisher or sponsor of the site, Day Month Year published, URL.
Example:
“Top 10 Best Books of 2021.” Book Reviews, Book Publishers, 15 Dec. 2021.
www.bookreviews.com/top-books-2021
An online scholarly article:
Last name, First Name. “Article Name.” Journal Title, vol., no., publication year, page range. Database name, DOI or URL.
Example:
Walters, Amanda. “The Effects of Environmental Pollution on Health.” American Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 28, no. 4, 2021, pp. 183-204. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/44879212.
A blog or forum post:
Username. “Title of Post.” Website Title, Publisher or sponsor of the site, Day Month Year published, URL.
Example:
XenoGamer. “10 Best Video Games of 2021 So Far.” Gaming Reviews, GameSpot, 2 Jan. 2022,
www.gamespot.com/best-video-games-2021/
MLA Website Citation Guidelines- A Beginner’s Guide
Here is a summary of the rules and guidelines for citing websites in MLA format:
– Start the citation with the author’s name, followed by the title of the page in quotation marks, the title of the website in italics, the sponsor or publisher of the site, the date published, and the URL or DOI.
– If information is missing or not available, use what is available, such as the title of the article or website.
– When there are multiple authors, separate the last two with a comma and an ampersand before the last author’s name.
– When citing a webpage from a database, include the database name, DOI, or URL.
– Use brackets “[ ]” when necessary to add clarity to your citation.
Remember, adhering to these guidelines can help to maintain academic integrity and ensure that your sources are accurately represented in your work.
Conclusion
Properly citing your sources is essential to maintain academic integrity and give credit to authors. By following our comprehensive guide to citing a website in MLA format, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and save time. With this knowledge, you can feel confident in your research and ensure your work is of the highest quality to succeed academically.