Citation Guide

MLA 9th Edition

Using MLA style

MLA Handbook 9^th Edition makes it easier to cite both online and print sources with two major changes:

• The 9 core elements
• The container system

The core elements can be applied to any resource and are listed in the following:

Keep in mind that every citation does not have to include all of the core elements. If one does not apply to your resource then you move on to the next element.

Author information:

• The first author's name is inverted. Second is formatted normally.
• Multiple authors are separated with commas and the word and.
• List up to two (2) authors; above that number, use the first and et al.
• If an entire edited book is cited, the editor is listed as the author with the word editor after their name or editors if there is more than one editor. Multiple editors are formatted the same way as authors.
  • Smith, John Dunn, and Elsie J. Oxenham.
  • King, Jamilah, editor.
  • Salomon, Sheryl Huggins, et al.

The container system is used when a work is housed within another, whether it is a journal, book, or database. You repeat the core elements 3-9 for the container as well. The following is an example, using the MLA Practice Template:

The citation from the template will then be written in your "Works Cited" page like this:

All of the examples in this guide will use the names of the core elements to identify the parts of the citation. MLA does allow for some optional elements to give more information about your resource, which will be explained in the example.