How to cite sources in your writing (MLA)

Rules and examples

Rules and examples

Basic principles

Rule

Insert the author's last name and the page number(s) at the point where you have used the source. The name and page number are enclosed in round brackets (parentheses). If the author's name is part of the sentence, only the page number is placed in parentheses. For sources accessed online (other than pdf files), page numbers are normally not cited because these will vary with individual printouts.

Citing more than one source at the same point in your assignment

Rule

List sources alphabetically by author and separate by a semi-colon. If listing more than one source by the same author at the same point, separate page references by a comma.

Example
This interpretation is common (Dobben 22; Pratt 16, 18).

Citing a source with two or more authors

Rule

Two or three authors: give all names joined by the word 'and' every time the source is cited.

Example
Earlier research (Harrison and Saw 86-99) produced troubling data. This concern was expressed at a later time (Worley, Hitchin, and Ross 64).

Rule

Four or more authors: give the name of the first author only, followed by 'et al.'.

Example

The earlier analysis (Bryant et al. 65) was correct. Gleeson et al. (41) conducted a parallel study. The method was based on that used in a similar study by Staples et al. (22).

Citing more than one source by the same author

Rule

Add the first few words of the title to the author's name to distinguish between sources. Article titles are enclosed in quotation marks; book titles are underlined.

Example
Research in this area (Pratt, "Soccer Injuries" 22) confirms these findings. Similar research (Pratt, "Sport" 18) was based on this methodology.

Citing sources by authors with the same surname

Rule

Add initials(s) to the surname to distinguish between sources.

Example

This finding is consistent with other studies (B. Dalton 34). Extensive analysis can be found in the work by T. Dalton (62).

Citing a personal communication (email, interview, conversation)

Rule

Give date of communication preceded by the words 'personal communication'. Note: personal communications do not need reference list entries.

Example
This was related to me by Gina Green (personal communication, 3 May 2001).

Citing a source that you have taken from another source

Rule

Refer to both sources in the text, but only give an entry in the Works Cited list for the source you have used directly. (For example, in the example below, the 'Freimer and Perry' source needs to appear in the Works Cited list, but the 'Smith' source does not.)

Example

Smith's words (qtd. in Freimer and Perry 26) prove this.

Citing a source by an author with a long name (organisation, agency)

Rule

Give the full name followed by the initials in square brackets in the first reference. In subsequent references, use the initialised form.

Example
Health costs are higher in rural regions (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] 82). One quarter of the population was found to be obese (AIHW 91)

Citing a source with no author

Rule

Give the first two or three words of the title to direct the reader to reference list entry (which will be under title in full). Underline titles of books; enclose titles of articles in quotation marks.

Example

The recommendations (Survival Skills 16) were followed completely. This situation appears to be becoming more serious ("Meddling Claims" 5).