mla 9 paraphrasing

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Paraphrasing in MLA

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill. It allows you to seamlessly integrate another person’s ideas into your work, and it is the preferred way to integrate most research information into a paper.

In addition to writing a good paraphrase, you must also include a citation with the paraphrase. One effective way to do this is by using MLA in-text citations .

But first, let’s define paraphrasing.

What is a paraphrase? Why is it beneficial?

• A paraphrase is a piece of information written in a new way after reading and analyzing a source.
• A paraphrase translates the main ideas of a passage into a new passage that uses your own words and perspective.
• A paraphrase lets you control what point or information is highlighted.
• A paraphrase allows you turn a long passage into a condensed, focused passage.
• Direct quotes are helpful, but paraphrasing allows you show that you truly understand a work. Think about it: Is it easier to quote a source or paraphrase?

What does MLA have to do with it?

Academic integrity is extremely important, and a paraphrase allows you to use someone’s ideas efficiently in your work…but that is only part of the work. In order to stay ethical, you’ll also need include an in-text citation. That’s where MLA style comes in.

An MLA in-text citation gives appropriate credit to the original source. By following the guidelines of the MLA style and including an accurate citation, you can avoid accusations of plagiarism.

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, which is a scholarly association dedicated to the study and advancement of languages. The MLA style comes from their published MLA Handbook , which provides rules and guidelines on research and writing. The latest update to the MLA style occurred in 2021, and careful consideration needs to be paid to these guidelines.

Although there are other styles of research and writing, MLA is the primary style guide for humanities, language, and literature in the United States.

How to paraphrase

Steps in paraphrasing.

• Read the original source material carefully. It is always a good idea to read it more than once so you can paraphrase accurately.
• Consider why the source was written, when it was written, who it was written by, and who the target audience was.
• What were the key ideas or points communicated?
• What is the key point you want to highlight from the source?
• What other contextual facts about the source do you think are important to include?
• Based on your notes, put together a paraphrase.
• Next, take a minute to double check your paraphrase against the original to ensure that you have used your own writing style.
• Finally, add an MLA in-text citation.

How to add an MLA in-text citation

In order to give credit for ideas that are not yours, citing is key. According the MLA, after you create a paraphrase, you should include an in-text citation with the paraphrase. In addition to the short, in-text citation, a full reference of the source should be included on your Works Cited page. This article will focus only on the in-text citation, but see this guide for more information on MLA works cited citations.

An MLA in-text citation can be done in two ways:

• Parenthetical

Both approaches require you to know the following:

• Last name of the author
• Page number

Parenthetical citation

One way to cite in the text is to use a parenthetical citation after the paraphrase. This includes putting the author’s last name and page number where you found the information at the end of the sentence, before the final period.

Using a website as a source? Note that if a source does not have page numbers, you do not have to include the page number in your parenthetical citation.

Parenthetical in-text citation structure:

Paraphrase (Author Last Name Page #)

Parenthetical example:

I kept pounding on the doors ’til my hands hurt and I woke up the dogs (Bronte 12).

Place that end punctuation carefully! Note that there is no period at the end of the sentence, but the period is outside the parentheses. Also, there is no comma between the author’s last name and the page number.

Citation in prose

A citation in prose means that you include the author’s last name within the page text and the page number at the end of the sentence in parentheses. A citation in prose would look like this:

Citation in prose citation structure:

Paraphrase with Author Last Name (Page #)

In-prose example:

Bronte explains how Lockwood kept pounding on the doors until his hands began to hurt and he woke up the dogs (12).

Example of how to paraphrase

Here is a piece of text taken from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

A paraphrase of the above would go something like this:

Mr. Darcy had meant to communicate that he loved Elizabeth, but in the end all he managed to do was communicate all the reasons he had fought against his feelings for her (Austen 390).

Notice the benefits of paraphrasing here?

• The paraphrase is (thankfully) much shorter than the full excerpt.
• The paraphrase writer could have mentioned several different ideas and points. Instead, paraphrasing allowed the writer to focus on the main point they wanted to highlight.
• The paraphrase demonstrates the writer’s deep understanding of what was communicated in the original passage.

Also, as mentioned previously, every in-text citation needs to have a matching, full citation in the Works Cited page. Here is the full citation for the above example:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . 1813. Project Gutenberg , 2008, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42671.

How NOT to paraphrase

When you paraphrase, do not do the follow:

• Use most of the same words and switch out a few words for synonyms.
• Use most of the same words and change the sentence order a little.
• Take key phrases from the sentences and put them into a new paragraph without quoting them.
• Create a good paraphrase but forget to include an in-text citation.
• Create a good paraphrase but cite the wrong source.

Other MLA considerations

The Modern Language Association advises that summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations can all be used to back up your argument. However, direct quotations should be used infrequently. Try to save them for experts who are speaking on the topic.

Although you are putting a paraphrase into your own words, you still need to cite it because the ideas are not your own. MLA style asks for the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information.

Key takeaways

• The ability to paraphrase is of the utmost importance in regard to academic integrity.
• To paraphrase well, read the original a few times, consider the context, jot down the key ideas, compose your paraphrase, compare your paraphrase to the original, and add an in-text citation.
• The MLA advises using in-text citations in order to give proper credit to a paraphrase’s original source.

Published October 28, 2020. Updated July 18, 2021.

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MLA 9 Citation Style: Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

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• Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

You already know that you need to use various kinds of resources when you are researching.  Now things can get a little more complicated when trying to use those resources in your assignments.

We find that most students accidently plagiarize because they don’t know how to correctly quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize information they are trying to incorporate into their papers.  Or how and when to cite things. 

So, what's the difference?

(Venn_quote, n.d.)

Direct Quotes 

Quotes are the exact words that the author has used, word for word.  When quoting, you must use quotation marks and include an in-text citation . 

According to the MLA Handbook, quotes should be "used selectively" and should "be as brief as possible" (75). 

Rather, most professors prefer you to paraphrase or summarize information from your source because it demonstrates that you really understand what you're writing about.  

Paraphrasing 

Paraphrasing means putting the information you could have quoted into your own words, but keeping the intention of the original source.  Paraphrases do not have quotation marks because you are using your own words, yet still must include an  in-text citation  at the end of the part you are paraphrasing. 

Summarizing

When you summarize information, it's really a shorter version of the original source where you relate the overall meaning from the source.  Like when paraphrasing, when you summarize you  must still include an   in-text citation  at the end of the part you are summarizing.    

Works Cited

Works Cited 

The Modern Language Association of America.   MLA Handbook , 8th edition.  The Modern Language Association of America, 2016.  

"Venn_quote."  Dallas Learning Cloud , n.d., dlc.dcccd.edu/embed.php?key=dcccd+1dcccd234+englishcomp1rlc-units/quoting-paraphrasing-and-summarizing.  Accessed 9 Sep 2019.  

Additional Resources

• When to Summarize, Paraphrase, and Quote (George Mason University's Writing Center) 
• Paraphrasing and Quoting 101 (IRSC Libraries) 
• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing (Purdue University's Online Writing Lab)
• Quoting and Paraphrasing (University of Wisconsin's Writing Center)
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MLA 9th Edition - English Version

• Introduction to MLA 9
• Working With In-Text Citations
• Creating a Works Cited Page
• How to Format a Research Paper
• Practice Tools
• Using Inclusive Language

MLA Handbook 9th Edition

MLA Handbook . 9th ed., The Modern Language Association of America

ISBN: 9781603293518 (Paperback)

ISBN: 9781603295628 (Spiral)

ISBN: 9781603295611 (Hardcover)

LibGuide Created By

This LibGuide was created by Kelly Scott, Kari Kain, Cathy Summers, Grace Gillespie, and Jamie Pappas. Some parts are a direct translation of the Spanish version of the MLA 9th edition libguide , created by Alleya Rodríguez Vázquez and Isamar Abreu Gómez.

What Are In-Text Citations?

In-text citations are shortcuts that allow your readers to access the more complete reference in the works cited section of your paper.   You will use in-text citations every time you quote or paraphrase another author or creator’s ideas. This is important to ensure that you do not plagiarize someone else's work. MLA defines in-text citations as "brief, unobtrusive references that direct readers to the works-cited-list entries for the sources you consulted and, where relevant, to the location in the source being cited” (227).

You can quote short or long passages from an author or online creator and use parenthetical citations to refer the reader to your works cited page for further information about your source. There are also many ways to cite online and non-print sources. 

Visit the other tabs above or the box below for more information about how to do this properly. 

Why use in-text citations?

To show that you know what has been published on the subject

To appropriately cite your sources when using other people’s ideas in your paper

A note about translation: MLA recommends that “when writing in English and quoting material from other languages, you should generally p r ovide a translation” (6.75) If you are translating the passage yourself, it is important to include the original quotation so the reader can evaluate your translation for themselves.

Translations are not always necessary. See the MLA Handbook, 9th Edition for further information. 

The video below is a great overview on in-text citation basics such as what they are, where to put them, why you need them and how they are formatted.  

In-Text Citations for Print Resources

• Short Quotes
• Long Quotes
• Paraphrasing

What Are Short Quotes?

When you are writing your essay or research paper, you may want to include a direct quote from a print or non-print resource. If you are including a direct quote, then it must be written word for word from the resource using quotation marks. If the quote is four lines or less , then it is considered a short quote. If the quote takes up more than four lines in your essay, then it is considered a long quote (see the next tab for formatting in-text citations for long quotes).  

How to Include Short Quotes in Your Essay

When citing information from another source, you must give credit to the author and list the page number(s) where it is found. If you are trying to include a short quote in your essay, then the quote must have quotation marks and cannot be longer than four lines . When it is four lines or less, you may include the quote directly within the paragraph of your essay by using a parenthetical citation. This means you will use parentheses to show the author and page number(s) at the end of your sentence - before the period, but outside the quotation marks. The purpose of these in-text citations is to direct the reader to the Works Cited page of the essay to view the location of the source. 

Basic Examples (from MLA Style Guide &  Purdue OWL ):

Reading is “just half of literacy. The other half is writing” (Baron 194).

According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree.

Is it possible that dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184)?

According to Naomi Baron, reading is “just half of literacy. The other half is writing” (194).

According to Foulkes's study, dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (184).

Cullen concludes, "Of all the things that happened there / That's all I remember" (11-12).

*Did you notice how each example above includes a parenthetical citation at the end of the quote before the end punctuation mark?

For the first three examples, you can see that the in-text citations have the author and page number inside the parentheses after the quotation mark but before the end punctuation mark. 

The third example is a question. Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

In the last three examples, you will notice that the sentence mentions the author’s name. Since the author’s name is already included in the sentence, the parenthetical citation only needs to include the page number(s) of your quote.

However, the last example includes a quote from a poem. If you are quoting two or three lines of poetry, then you must separate each line with a slash ( / ) in between. If a stanza break occurs within the quotation, use a double slash ( // ) in between the lines. Most importantly, a poem that has parenthetical citation should contain the line numbers instead of the page number(s).

Does the text not have the author’s name listed? Is there more than one author or edition? Are you citing multiple works by the same author? Are you citing something other than a book or poem? Click here for more assistance with in-text citations.

What Are Long Quotes?

When you are writing your essay or research paper, you may want to include a larger quote from a specific resource. If you are including a direct quote, then it must be written word for word from the resource. If the quote is more than four lines , then it is considered a long quote. If the quote takes up less than four lines in your essay, then it is considered a short quote (see the last tab for formatting in-text citations for short quotes).    

How to Include Long Quotes in Your Essay

If you are trying to include a quote in your essay that is longer than four lines, then you must place it in a separate and more indented paragraph without quotation marks. The entire quote must be indented half an inch from the left margin, and the parenthetical citation should be placed at the end of the excerpt after the end punctuation mark. The purpose of these in-text citations is to direct the reader to the Works Cited page of the essay to view the location of the source. *Don’t forget that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced.*

Basic Examples (from Purdue OWL ):

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: 

They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (1-8)

*Did you notice how each example above does not have quotation marks? Did you notice how they include a parenthetical citation at the end of the quote after the end punctuation mark?

The first example shows how to include a long quotation from an article or book. The parenthetical citation at the end of the quote includes the author and page number after the end punctuation.

The second example shows how to include multiple lines of poetry. When quoting more than three lines of poetry, try to keep the same format as the original poem. Also, since the author’s name is already included in the sentence above the quote, the parenthetical citation only needs to include the line number(s) of your poem after the end punctuation. If the author’s name was not mentioned, then the parenthetical citation would be (Roethke 1-8) instead

Are you citing two or more paragraphs? Do you need to add or omit words in quotations? Click here for more assistance with in-text citations.

How to Include Paraphrasing in Your Essay

Paraphrasing is including someone else’s product or idea in your paper by writing it in your own words. It is important to cite the original source of the idea even if you have paraphrased it. 

What is the difference between quoting and paraphrasing?

Quoting is including someone’s ideas in their own words. It is best to quote someone when their wording is the best way to convey the idea. Paraphrasing shows your understanding of the author's ideas by expressing them in your own words. It is best to alter the sentence structure as well as the words in order to properly paraphrase a passage. 

Below are examples of both quoting and paraphrasing from the MLA Handbook, 9th Edition. (4.7) 

Passage in source shown as a direct quote (taken from Walter A. McDougall's Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Encounter with the World since 1776 )

"American Exceptionalism as our founders conceived it was defined by what America was , at home. Foreign policy existed to defend, not define, what America was" (McDougall 37). 

Paraphrase (unacceptable)

This paraphrase is missing a citation, only uses synonyms to change the wording and has not changed the sentence structure from the original.

American exceptionalism as the founding fathers envisioned the concept was given meaning by America as homeland. Programs focused on other countries were there to protect America, not delineate it.

Paraphrase (acceptable)

The wording and sentence structure have both been changed and a citation has been added in this example making it an acceptable paraphrase.

As conceived, American exceptionalism was based on the country's domestic identity, which foreign policy did not shape but merely guarded (McDougall 37).

For more information on paraphrasing see sections 4.5-4.8 of the MLA Handbook, 9th Edition. Or check out the video below for some great tips about paraphrasing without plagiarism.   

In-Text Citations for Non-Print or Electronic Sources

How to Include Non-Print or Electronic Sources in Your Essay

• Films, Presentations, and Audiovisual Works
• Web Pages and Online News/Magazine Articles
• Tables, Photos, Illustrations, or Digital Images

When formatting in-text citations from an electronic or digital source, you should use the same guidelines as you would with print sources. However, it can be confusing because some digital sources do not have an author or page numbers. Review the corresponding tabs for examples. 

Different types of in-text citations from non-print, electronic, and audiovisual resources:

In-text citations for films, lectures/presentations, and audiovisual works:

Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo stars Herzog's long-time film partner, Klaus Kinski. During the shooting of Fitzcarraldo , Herzog and Kinski were often at odds, but their explosive relationship fostered a memorable and influential film.

During the presentation, Jane Yates stated that invention and pre-writing are areas of rhetoric that need more attention.

Not to mention, clear communication can help because “sometimes the very things that we think, but we don't dare to say because we're afraid that if we say they're going to become real, sometimes that's exactly what needs to be said” (Perel 05:56). 

After complaining about a lack of community, he says that “as long as people start to think for themselves and just, you know, hold the ones dear to them close and just have fun and don't take themselves so seriously, I think the world would be a better place” (Avery 01:10:15).

*Did you notice that the first example includes the title and director of the film? Did you notice that the second example mentions the presentation and the speaker’s name? Did you notice that the last two examples include quotes and mention the creator/director in the parenthetical citation with the timestamp?

For the first example, do not forget to capitalize and italicize the title of the film or video. You also must include the director’s name within the sentence if there is no parenthetical citation.

For the second example, do not forget to mention that your information comes from a presentation and include the speaker/presenter’s first and last name in the sentence.

By listing the director and presenter, the reader of your essay will know what name to look for on the Works Cited page.

The third example is from a podcast. For many audiovisual works, you must include the author’s name in the parenthetical citation (if it is not already mentioned in the sentence). However, when creating in-text citations for media that has a runtime, such as a movie or podcast, include the range of hours, minutes, and seconds you plan to reference. 

The last example is quoting a film. Similar to the podcast example, if the sentence doesn’t mention the director’s name, you must include it in the parenthetical citation. Also, if you are using a direct quote then you need to include the timestamp/runtime where the quote is found in the film.

In-text citations for web pages and online news/magazine articles:

One online film critic stated that the film "has become notorious for its near-failure and many obstacles" (Taylor, “Fitzcarraldo”).

The Purdue OWL is accessed by millions of users every year. Its "MLA Formatting and Style Guide" is one of the most popular resources.

After the release of Stephen King’s new books, critics claim “the master of supernatural disaster returns with four horror-laced novellas” (Kirkus.com).

*Did you notice that all of these examples include quotes? Did you notice that only two of these examples have parenthetical citations?

The first example uses a quote from an online magazine article and does not include the author’s name in the sentence. If two entries from the same author appear in the Works Cited, the parenthetical citation should include both the author’s last name and the article title in order to lead the reader to the appropriate entry on the Works Cited page. If there is only one resource from that author, then only their name is necessary in the parenthetical citation.

In the second example, a parenthetical citation is not necessary because the web page does not list an author. However, the title of the article, “MLA Formatting and Style Guide,” is used as a signal phrase within the sentence. If the title of the article was not named in the sentence, an abbreviated version would appear in a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence.

The last example is an online article that doesn’t have an author. If you cannot find the author’s name, then use the name of the article, website, or film. When you use the name of the website, do not include the full URL in the parenthetical citation. Only provide partial URLs such as when the name of the site includes, for example, a domain name, like CNN.com or Forbes.com, as opposed to writing out http://www.cnn.com or http://www.forbes.com. 

In-text citations for a tables, photos, illustrations, or digital images:

Table 1 Caffeine Contents of Drinks

Source: Ted Kallmyer. Caffeine Informer . 2018. www.caffeineinformer.com

*Did you notice how each example above was labeled? Did you notice how the in-text citations are completely different than when we use quotations?

• When you include images, tables, or other illustrations in your essay, they should be placed as close to the relevant part of the essay as possible. If the caption of an image, table, or illustration provides complete information about the source, and the source is not cited in the text, then no entry is needed for that source on the final Works Cited page.
• The first example is a table/chart. A table is usually labeled “Table” on the first line with a corresponding number, and then a title for the table on the second line. If you have multiple tables, then you should label them Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, etc. Immediately underneath each table you need to include the source as a caption, as shown above. 
• The last three examples are specifically labeled as Figures (abbreviated as Fig.) and are given corresponding and consecutive numbers to show you how it would look in an essay (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3). 
• The caption for Fig. 1 points to an entry in the Works Cited page. This one is different because the artist’s medium is included in the caption.
• The captions for Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 have full biographical details and do not need to be included on the Works Cited page. These two examples do not include the photographer’s/artist’s medium, but instead include the institutions they belong to.
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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

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Quoting vs Paraphrasing: What's the Difference?

There are two ways to integrate sources into your assignment: quoting directly or paraphrasing.

Quoting is copying a selection from someone else's work, phrasing it exactly as it was originally written. When quoting place quotation marks (" ") around the selected passage to show where the quote begins and where it ends. Make sure to include an in-text citation.

Paraphrasing is used to show that you understand what the author wrote. You must reword the passage, expressing the ideas in your own words, and not just change a few words here and there. Make sure to also include an in-text citation.

Quoting Examples

• Long Quotations

Modifying Quotations

Quoting - Example:

There are two basic formats that can be used when quoting a source:

Parenthetical Style:

Narrative Style:

Note: If there are no page numbers, as in a website, cite the author name only.

What is a Long or Block Quotation?

A long or block quotation is a quotation which is 4 lines or more.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

• The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
• The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
• There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
• The period at the end of the quotation comes before your in-text citation as opposed to after, as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of Lord of the Flies the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. (Golding 186)

• Sometimes you may want to make some modifications to the quote to fit your writing. Here are some MLA rules when changing quotes:

Changing Quotations

Omitting parts of a quotation

• If you would like to exclude some words from a quotation, replace the words you are not including with an ellipsis - ...

Adding words to a quote

If you are adding words that are not part of the original quote, enclose the additional words in square brackets - [XYZ]

Paraphrasing

Correct vs. Incorrect Paraphrasing

Long Paraphrases

Paraphrasing - Examples:

When you write information from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion as follows:

If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name again as part of your in-text citation, instead include the page number if there is one:

Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Source from:

Rokach, Ami. "The Causes of Loneliness in Homeless Youth." The Journal of Psychology, 139, 2005, pp. 469-480. Academic Search Premier.

Example: Incorrect Paraphrasing

Example: Correct Paraphrasing

If you paraphrase a source more than once in a single paragraph and no other sources are mentioned in between, provide an in-text citation for the source at the end of each paraphrase. In the examples, the second in-text citation only includes the page number since it is clear that the same source is still being paraphrased.

If your paraphrase continues to another paragraph and/or you include paraphrases from other sources within the same paragraph, repeat the in-text citations for each.

In-Text Citation Tips

• Repeated Use of Sources
• Sources with Same Author and Publication Year
• Citing More Than One Source
• AI-Generated Text

If you are using information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation.

When you are citing two different sources that share the same author, for the Works Cited List list the first title only, and for any subsequent titles by the same author list three dashes (---) in place of the author name.

For in-text citations, include a shortened version of the source title following the author name.

Example: In-text citations (Haynes, Noah's Curse 84) (Haynes, The Last Segregated Hour 57)

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon (;).

In-text Citations & AI-generated Text

AI-generated content may not be considered as an acceptable source for your course work. Be sure to evaluate the content carefully and check with your instructor if you are permitted to use it as a source. See Citation Examples: Artificial Intelligence for more information. For in-text, include the shortened text of the prompt surrounded by quotation marks such as: ("Shortened text of prompt").

Direct Quote Example

Paraphrasing Example

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• Research guides

MLA 9 Quick Guide

In-text citations, page contents.

Direct Quoting

Paraphrasing

Citing a source cited in your source, citing a web page.

Basic Rules for In-Text Citations:

• In all cases, create a citation that is brief and that unambiguously  directs the reader to the right entry on your Works Cited page.
• Use the author's last name and page number(s) when available for paraphrases & quotes; just the author's name is sufficient for summarizing the gist of an entire work.
• Put the author's name either within within the text of the sentence or in parentheses . If in the text of the sentence, only the page number is put in parentheses.
• If there is no page number , use whatever location marker is available: paragraph numbers, line numbers, chapter and/or section, or time-stamp (for video or audio). If there is no page number or other location, simply omit it.
• If the source is attributed to an organization , use a "corporate" (or group) author, such as "U.S. Government Printing Office," or "American Library Association."
• If there is no author (not even a corporate author), use an abbreviated form of the work's title in the citation.

Direct Quote & Paraphrase

1. Author's name in text

According to Naomi Baron , reading is "just half of literacy. The other half is writing" (194) . One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.

2. Author's name in parentheses

Reading is just "half of literacy. The other half is writing"  (Baron 194) . One might even suggest that reading is never complete without writing.

Baron, Naomi S. "Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication Media." PMLA, vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193-200.

Note that the locations of author name and page help clarify which of the language and ideas belong to that particular author and source. The author's idea from that page is understood to end at the parenthetical page number.

When you include a citation, you must also include a full bibliographic entry in your Works Cited list.

*Examples excerpted from: Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook. 9th ed. New York: Modern Language Assoc. of America, 2021.

Paraphrasing  or summarizing an author's ideas in your own words is fine as long as you acknowledge the author. Paraphrasing is a near 1:1 rephrasing, so you need a page number. Summarizing condenses either a full work or a large part of it into a brief version, so no page number is necessary.

1. Paraphrase (following a quote):

According to Gao Xingjian, "Literature is essence divorced from utility" (7). Gao adds, however, than the market for publishing works is constricted by politics (13).

Gao Xingjian. Aesthetics and Creation . Cambria Press, 2012.

2. Summary (with in-text citation):

Naomi Baron broke new ground on the subject.

3. Summary (with parenthetical citation):

At least one researcher has broken new ground on the subject (Baron) .

Baron, Naomi S. "Redefining Reading: The Impact of Digital Communication Media." PMLA , vol. 128, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 193-200.

Note that all of these examples would require a full bibliographic entry of the author's work on your works cited page.

*Examples excerpted from: Modern Language Association.  MLA Handbook.  9th ed. New York: Modern Language Assoc. of America, 2021.

Sometimes you may need to use information cited in another source . For example, a text by Boswell that you found quotes something written by Johnson. There are two possible ways of handling it. You can:

• Find the original item by Johnson and cite directly from that author ( preferred ).
• Name Johnson as a source in your paraphrase, but only cite Boswell in the references page ( Acceptable if the original item would be prohibitively difficult to find; obviously that criteria depends on the situation and your professor's judgment. Ask them. )

Quoted in ("qtd. in"):

Samuel Johnson admitted that Edmund Burke was an "extraordinary man" (qtd. in Boswell 289) .

Boswell, James. Boswell's Life of Johnson . Edited by Augustine Birrell, vol. 3, Times Book Club, 1912. HathiTrust Digital Library , hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b3123590.

Noted in Text:

In a speech urging listeners to reject physical destruction and to seek mutual undertanding, Robert F. Kennedy quoted Aeschylus: "In our sleep, pain which cannot foreget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."

Kennedy, Robert F. "Statement on Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4, 1968." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum , www.jfklibrary.org.

Note that in works cited for both examples, you would only need to list the work(s) you actually read: in other words, Boswell or Kennedy, not Johnson or Aeschylus.

• If there is no author listed, look for other authorship information, such as the creator or editor, or performer of the item, or organization responsible for the site. If there is none of those, or if the organization would also be the publisher, use a short-form version of the full title in quotation marks in place of the author's name in the citation.
• Page numbers are very uncommon on websites, so MLA does not require a page number.

Clear Author (NY Times online article):

"Small changes in your eating habits can lower your risk for many of the diseases associated with aging" (Parker-Pope) , so it's never too early to evaluate your diet. *

Parker-Pope, Tara. "How to Age Well." The New York Times , 2 Nov. 2017, www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-age-well. *

Unclear Author

The female bhakti poets "faced overwhelming challenges through their rejection of societal norms and values" ("Bhakti Poets") . *

"Bhakti Poets: Introduction." Women in World History , Center for History and New Media, chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson1/lesson1.php?s=0. Accessed 20 Sept. 2020. *

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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Welcome

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What is MLA?

MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association of America. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers.

There are two parts to MLA: In-text citations and the Works Cited list.

In MLA, you must "cite" sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

• In the body of your paper where you add a brief in-text citation.
• In the Works Cited list at the end of your paper where you give more complete information for the source.

Core Elements of an MLA Citation

MLA 9th edition provides 9 core elements to complete any works cited entry. It is your job to try to fill in these core elements with the information you have about a source. If any element is missing or not applicable, you can skip that element.

The 9 Core Elements

(1) Author. (2) “Title of Source.” (3) Title of Container , (4) Other contributors, (5) Version,  (6) Number,  (7) Publisher, (8) Publication date, (9) Location.

For sources that are part of a larger work, you include core element (2) “Title of Source.” ​        ( e.g. journal articles from a journal, essays or chapters from a book, webpages from a website)

For sources that are self-contained, you skip core element (2).         (e.g. books, websites, or journals)

Other contributors includes people such as editors, translators, or directors.

Example 1. A source found within a larger work (a journal article)

Guillen, Jorge. "Does Financial Openness Matter in the Relationship Between Financial Development and Income Distribution in Latin America?"  Emerging Markets Finance & Trade , vol. 52, no. 5, 2016, pp. 1145-1155.  Business Source Complete,  https://do.org/10.1080/1540496X.2015.1046337.

(1) Guillen, Jorge. (2) "Does Financial Openness Matter in the Relationship Between Financial Development and Income Distribution in Latin America?" (3) Emerging Markets Finance & Trade , (4) (5) (6) vol. 52, no.5, (7) (8) 2016, (9) pp. 1145-1155.   

Example 2.  A self-contained source (a book)

Kirsh, Steven J.  Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence: A Critical Look at the Research.  2nd ed., Sage, 2006. 

(1) Kirsh, Steven J. (2) (3) Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence: A Critical Look at the Research.   (4) (5) 2nd ed., (6) (7) Sage, (8) 2006.  (9)

Note on Publisher Information: 

According to p. 165 of the  MLA Handbook , you don’t need to include publisher information for:

• periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers)
• works published by an author or editor
• web sites whose title is the same as the name of the publisher
• a web site not involved in producing the work it makes (e.g. user-generated content sites like  YouTube )

Commonly Used Terms

Access Date: The date you last looked at a source. Do not provide an access date for sources from library databases. Access dates should be added to the end of citations for online sources that lack a publication date, or if a publication has been removed or appears to have been altered.

Citation : The details about one source you are citing.

Citing : The process of acknowledging the sources of your information and ideas.

In-Text Citation : A brief note in your paper or essay at the point where you use information from a source to indicate where the information came from. An in-text citation should always match more detailed information that is available in the Works Cited List.

Paraphrasing : Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.

Plagiarism : Taking the ideas or words of another person and using them as your own.

Quoting : Copying words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.

Works Cited List : Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay, and supports your research and/or premise.

Sample Paper & Works Cited List

• MLA Sample Paper Template

This sample paper includes a sample assignment page with an example of how to include your student information and a Works Cited list in MLA format.

It can be used as a template to set up your assignment.

MLA Interactive Practice Template

• MLA Practice Template Use this interactive webpage to see how the elements of a source are formatted and arranged in an MLA-Style citation.

Do You Need Citation Help?

Stop by the library and speak with a Librarian, or use the chat box below to chat with a Librarian from home. 

This citation guide is based on the MLA Handbook  (9th ed.). The contents are accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Seneca College Libraries

This guide is used/adapted with the permission of Seneca College Libraries. For information please contact [email protected] .

Note: When copying this guide, please retain this box.

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MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: How to Paraphrase and Quote

• Works Cited entries: What to Include
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• Title of container
• Contributors
• Publication date
• Supplemental Elements
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• Websites, Social Media, and Email
• About In-text Citations
• In-text Examples

How to Paraphrase and Quote

• Citing Poetry
• Formatting Your MLA Paper
• Formatting Your Works Cited List
• MLA Annotated Bibliography
• MLA 9th Edition Quick Guide
• Submit Your Paper for MLA Style Review

Block Quotes in MLA Style

Short quotations can be included as part of a larger sentence or within a paragraph in the body of your paper. For quotations longer than four lines, use a block quote. Press enter to start the quotation on a new line. Press Tab to indent the entire quotation 1/2 inch from the left margin. Continue double spacing for the quotation. Do not use double quotation marks. Place your in-text citation at the end after the closing punctuation mark.

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Citations - MLA: In-Text Citations - Quotations & Paraphrasing

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On This Page

• About In-text Citations

Paraphrasing

• In-Text Citation for One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Unknown Author

Repeated use of sources, long quotations.

• In-Text Citation for More Than One Source

Citing a Source that you Found in Another Source (Secondary Source)

Order of authors, physician credentials, about in-text citations.

In MLA, in-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. Brief in-text citations point the reader to the full citation on the works cited list at the end of the paper.

Create in-text citations for the following:

• Direct quotes

If you're using information from a single source more than once in succession (i.e., no other sources referred to in between), you can use a simplified in-text citation.

Cell biology is an area of science that focuses on the structure and function of cells (Smith 15). It revolves around the idea that the cell is a "fundamental unit of life" (17). Many important scientists have contributed to the evolution of cell biology. Mattias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, for example, were scientists who formulated cell theory in 1838 (20). 

 Note: If using this simplified in-text citation creates ambiguity regarding the source being referred to, use the full in-text citation format.

What Is a Long Quotation?

If your quotation extends to more than four lines as you're typing your essay, it is a long quotation.

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

• The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
• The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
• There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
• The period at the end of the quotation comes  before  your in-text citation as opposed to  after , as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of  Lord of the Flies  the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too . (Golding 186)

Direct Quote  - Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number:

Mother-infant attachment has been a leading topic of developmental research since John Bowlby found that "children raised in institutions were deficient in emotional and personality development" (Hunt 358).

Authors Name in the Sentence & with a Direct Quote -  If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name in the in-text citation, instead include the page number (if there is one) at the end of the quotation or paraphrased section. For example:

Hunt explains that mother-infant attachment has been a leading topic of developmental research since John Bowlby found that "children raised in institutions were deficient in emotional and personality development" (358).

No Page Numbers & with a Direct Quote -  When you quote from electronic sources that do not provide page numbers (like Web pages), cite the author name only.

"Three phases of the separation response: protest, despair, and detachment" (Garelli).

  Note: The period goes outside the brackets, at the end of your in-text citation.

In-Text Citation For One, Two, or More Authors/Editors

Author Known: 

• "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8).

In-Text Citation For More Than One Source

If you would like to cite more than one source within the same in-text citation, simply record the in-text citations as normal and separate them with a semi-colon.

(Smith 42; Bennett 71). 

( It Takes Two ; Brock 43).

 Note: The sources within the in-text citation do not need to be in alphabetical order for MLA style.

When creating an in-text citation or full citation, the authors should be listed in the original order displayed on the item (book, article, ...). 

Do not include academic credentials (e.g., MD, MPH, PhD,. DDS) when citing doctors in the in-text or full citation. 

The writer may refer to the physician by Dr. (name), when writing a paraphrase or inserting a direct quotation, although, it is not required.

Using the medical credential in the sentence:

Dr. Higgins, said the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (257). 

Dr. Price realized that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this observation in various regions of the world during his travels (390). 

Omitting the medical credential from the sentence:

He sad the reason behind the complication was "direct quote here" (Higgins 257). 

Price observed that nutrition was tied to health outcomes and encountered this in various regions of the world during his travels (390). 

When you write information or ideas from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion.

Paraphrasing from One Page

Include a full in-text citation with the author name and page number (if there is one). For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 65).

Hunt discussed mother-infant attachment becoming a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (65).

Paraphrasing from Multiple Pages

If the paraphrased information/idea is from several pages, include them. For example:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt 50, 55, 65-71).

Author Unknown:

• If the author's name is not given, then use the first word or words of the title. Follow the same formatting that was used in the works cited list, such as quotation marks. This is a paraphrase ("Trouble" 22).
• Where you'd normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don't count initial articles like "A", "An" or "The". You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you're referring to from your Works Cited list.
• If the title in the Works Cited list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.
• If the title in the Works Cited list is in quotation marks, put quotation marks around the words from the title in the in-text citation.

( Cell Biology  12)

("Nursing" 12)

Sometimes an author of a book, article or website will mention another person’s work by using a quotation or paraphrased idea from that source. ( This may be called a secondary source.) 

For example, the Kirkey article you are reading includes a quotation by Smith that you would like to include in your essay.

• The basic rule: in your Works Cited and in-text citation you will still cite  Kirkey NOT Smith.
• A dd the words “qtd. in” to your in-text citation.  

Examples of in-text citations :

According to a study by Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) 42% of doctors would refuse to perform legal euthanasia.

Smith (qtd. in Kirkey) states that “even if euthanasia was legal, 42% of doctors would be against this method of assisted dying” (A.10).

Example of Works Cited list citation:

Kirkey, Susan. "Euthanasia."  The Montreal Gazette , 9 Feb. 2013, p. A.10.  Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies.

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MLA 9 Resource Center: How to Paraphrase and Quote

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Paraphrasing in MLA

Paraphrasing can be a useful tool to help you avoid relying too heavily on quotes. You should avoid using too many quotes in your writing.

That being said, you still need to cite your sources properly when paraphrasing. You are borrowing other people’s ideas, so it’s important to give credit where it’s due.

If your instructor wants you to use MLA-style citations, it’s important to know how this works in regard to paraphrasing.

What is MLA style?

MLA stands for “Modern Language Association.” This association was founded in 1983, and it’s the leading professional academic organization in the United States. The MLA style is frequently used by schools, instructors, and academic organizations. While many students use the MLA style when writing, it’s especially popular in humanities courses.

What is paraphrasing?

When you paraphrase a passage, you are putting it in your own words. In most cases, the result is that this passage becomes clearer and easier to understand. Paraphrases can be shorter, longer, or the same length as the original passage. Paraphrasing is useful because it shows that you actually understand the key ideas behind the passage.

Paraphrasing & citing in MLA style

Once you understand the system for citing your sources in MLA style, paraphrasing is easy. You can use this process to cite your sources when paraphrasing, summarizing, or using direct quotes.

1. Create a works cited page

Both a works cited page and a bibliography list sources that were used in the making of your paper. The main difference is that a works cited page only includes sources that were referenced in your work (via an in-text citation). On the other hand, a bibliography includes all sources consulted, even if they were not directly referenced in your work. Both are placed at the end of your research paper or essay and follow the same MLA guidelines. It is important to create a works cited page because your in-text citations will help your reader to identify the source you are referencing from that list.

To create a works cited page based on the MLA format, you need to follow a number of guidelines.

This is the basic structure for a book reference in MLA format:

Author Last, Author First, Middle Initial. Title of Work . Publisher, Year.

Here’s an example:

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis . Modern Library, 1915.

For more help creating citations, visit the Citation Machine MLA citation generator .

2. In-text citations

When writing according to the MLA style citation guide, you will use in-text citations. The goal of in-text citations is to direct your reader to the appropriate citation in your works cited list. At the end of your paraphrase, you’ll write the last name of the author and the page number you’re referencing.

This is the basic structure for an in-text citation in MLA format:

(Author Last Name Page number).

For example:

Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (Wells 26).

The period is always placed after the parentheses.

If there’s more than one author, you simply use both of their last names, followed by the page number.

(Smith and Jones 77).

If there are three or more authors, you simply use the first author’s last name and then write “et al.”

(Smith et al. 77).

If there is no page number, just use the author’s last name. You’ll likely need to do this if you’re citing a web page or another source where page numbers are not included.

If you’re repeatedly citing the same source, you can simply refer to the page number after the first time. Note that you can only do this if you’re not citing other sources in between and this shouldn’t be used if it will cause confusion.

Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (Wells 26). After being stranded on a small dinghy, Pendrick begs God to end his suffering (30).

You can also use only the page number if you have included the author’s name within the test itself. This is called a narrative citation.

Basic structure:

Text that mentions the author’s last name (page number).

Wells writes that  Captain Montgomery forced Pendrick off his ship, claiming that Pendrick was in league with “beasts and cannibals” (26).

Key takeaways

• When paraphrasing, you need to put the writing in your own words.
• Citing your sources is important when paraphrasing.
• The MLA style is used for academic writing, especially in the humanities.
• The first step is to create a works cited page.
• Next, you use in-text citations after your paraphrases to direct your reader to the source listed in your works cited page.
• You generally use the last name of the author and the page number in parentheses after your paraphrases.

Published October 29, 2020.

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MLA 9th Edition

About mla 9th edition, quick guides to mla, in-text citations, works cited, formatting your mla paper.

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This guide is intended as an introduction to the Modern Language Association 9th edition style for references and citations. Be sure to consult the MLA Handbook or the  MLA Style Center  website for detailed standards and procedures.

As a general rule, use MLA style in literature, arts, and humanities. For a quick introduction to MLA Style, view the following video: 

" Introduction to Citation Styles: MLA 9th ed ." by CSUDH Library on YouTube is licensed under CC-BY-4.0

Works Cited: A Quick Guide from MLA Style

MLA's tool to familiarize users with the MLA format template. 

In-text citations are concise references in the body of your paper that point readers to the Works Cited entries for the sources you used to write your paper. When applicable, it points to the location (e.g. page number, paragraph number) in the source being cited.

Basic Parenthetical Citation Format

(Last Name Page #)

For more guidelines and examples, check out the MLA Style Center In-Text Citations Overview .

In-text citations can appear in prose or in parentheses.

Parenthetical Citations

The author name appears in parentheses.

The market for publishing works is constricted by politics (Gao 13).

Citations in Prose

The author name is incorporated into the text as part of the sentence.

(Modern Language Association ch. 6)

When does my in-text citation need a page number?

If you are quoting or paraphrasing a specific part of a source and the source includes a page number, line number, time stamp, or other indicator of the location in the source where the information can be found, then that location marker must be included .

• Do not precede page numbers with p. or pp. in the in-text citation
• Use the same style as the numerals in the source you are citing (whether roman or alphanumeric)

(Drabble xi-xii)

(Richards A11)

If you cite a number other than a page number in a parenthetical citation, it must be preceded with a label.

Quotes/Quotations

A quotation is when you replicate another author's work or your own previously published work word-for-word.

Short Direct Quotes

Short Quotations

If a prose quotation extends no more than four lines in your paper and needs no distinction, consider it as a short quotation. Integrate it into your text and enclose within double quotation marks. Any sentence punctuation goes after the closing parenthesis of the citation.

• Quotations might be words or phrases instead of complete sentences.
• Quotations can be located at the beginning, middle, or end of your sentence.
• A quotation may be broken up by your own words to emphasize or clarify meaning.

Block Quotations

If a prose quotation extends more than four lines in your paper , use a blockquote . Set the quote off from the text as a block indented 1/2" from the left margin as a visual cue that you are citing.

• Block quotes don't need quotation marks,
• Do not indent the first line of the block quote.
• Your introductory text should end with a colon (see below) unless the quotation has been integrated into the sentence structure of your text (see MLA Handbook 6.35)
• The parenthetical citation goes after the punctuation of the quote.

Summarizing or Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing and summarizing entails restating a source’s points in your own words while giving credit to the source that informed your ideas. Always include an in-text citation so your reader can find the full citation in the works cited list.

Works with multiple authors

1 author or no author.

You only need the author's last name and the page number.

If there is no author...

Use a shortened title of the work

("Impact of Global Warming")

Connect both authors' last names with and, and include the page number.

(Best and Marcus 9)

3 or More Authors

Use the first author's last name and et al., and include the page number.

(Franck et al. 327)

The MLA Handbook does not provide strict instructions on how to format citations for specific types of sources. Instead, a universal set of general guidelines for citation and documentation that can be applied to any source type are outlined. These guidelines, have been followed in developing this guide, including the following examples.

General Guidelines for Styling Titles in MLA

• Capitalize the first word, last word, and all principal words including those that follow hyphens in compound terms
• Introduce subtitles after title with a colon followed by a space
• (e.g.) books, plays, films, periodicals, databases, and websites
• (e.g.) articles, essays, chapters, poems, webpages, songs, and speeches are placed in quotation marks.

General Guidelines for Styling Works Cited

• Give titles as they appear in the source's title page, standardizing capitalization and following above guidelines for styling titles in MLA
• Use day-month-year style to minimize commas. Provide most specific date available.
• Author Element, Title of source Element, at the end of each container string, and at the end of each entry.
• between elements within a container and between the surname and first  name of the author.

Basic Format:

Author Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. Title of Longer Work  or "Title of Shorter Work." Publisher, Year. DOI or Permalink or URL.

I'm citing a...

Journal Article

• Author(s). Note: Use the format Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. If there are multiple authors, use and before the last author's name.
• "Title of the Article." Note: Include the title of a shorter work like an article in a journal in quotation marks and use headline-style capitalization .
• Title of the Journal , Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a journal and use headline-style capitalization .
• no. #, Note: If there is no additional number after the volume, only include the volume number.
• Publication date,
• pp. xxx-xxx.
• Database , Note: Use italics for names of databases.
• DOI or permalink or URL.

Diaz, Natalie. “Post-Colonial Love Poem.” New Republic , vol. 247, no. 3, Mar. 2016, p. 69. EBSCOhost , search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=112575922&site=ehost-live .

News/Magazine Article

• "Title of the Article." Note: Include the title of a shorter work in quotation marks and use headline-style capitalization .
• Title of the Newspaper or Publisher , Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a newspaper or online publication and use headline-style capitalization .
• Publication date, Note: Use the formate Date Abbreviated Month Year.

Cochrane, Emily, and Noah Weiland. "Hillary Clinton, the N.F.L., Roy Moore and Other Asides from the President." The New York Times , 16 Nov. 2018, https://nyti.ms/2zf1TPB .

Print Book or eBook

• Title of the Book . Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a book and use headline-style capitalization .
• Edition Note: If there are multiple editions, use the format 1st/2nd/3rd ed.,
• Publication date.

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird . 1st ed., J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1960.

• Title of the Book, Note: Use italics for the title of a longer work like a book and use headline-style capitalization .
• Editors Note: If there is one editor, use the format edited by Last Name, First Name. If there are multiple editors, use and before the last author's name.
• URL or permalink.

Hughes, Langston. Letters from Langston: From the Harlem Renaissance to the Red Scare and Beyond , edited by Evelyn Louise Crawford and Mary Louise Patterson. University of California Press, 2016. EBSCOhost Academic eBook Collection , https://ezproxy.midlandstech.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=1105577&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_Cover .

Book Chapter

• Author(s) of the Chapter. Note: Use the format Last Name, First Name Middle Name or Initial. If there are multiple authors, use and before the last author's name.
• "Title of the Chapter." Note: Include the title of a shorter work like a chapter in quotation marks and use headline-style capitalization .

Green, David. "Supporting the Academic Success of Hispanic Students." College Libraries and Student Culture: What We Now Know , edited by Andrew D. Asher and Lynda M. Duke, ALA Editions, 2011. EBSCOhost Academic eBook Collection , https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/midlandstech/reader.action?docID=772268&ppg=77 .

• Author. Note: If there is no individual author, begin the citation with "Title of the Page."
• "Title of Page, Section, or Document."
• Publisher ,

“Citing Your Sources.” Midlands Technical College Library , 2020, https://libguides.midlandstech.edu/citingsources.

Musical Performances

• Artist/Creator.
• "Song Title"
• Album Name ,
• Record Label.
• Release year.
• Source. Note: identify physical media type, digital media format, URL, or app. See examples below.

Entire Album

Jackson, Michael. Thriller , Epic, 2014. CD. 

Song from an Album

Snail Mail. “Thinning.” Habit , Sister Polygon Records, 2016. Vinyl EP. 

Song on a website

Beyoncé. "Pretty Hurts." Beyoncé , Parkwood Entertainment, 2013, www.beyonce.com/album/beyonce/?media_view=songs.

Song from an app

Lopez, Jennifer. "Vivir mi vida." Sony Music Latin, 2017. Spotify app.

(Modern Language Association 330)

For more information on DOIs and MLA Style guidelines, see this page from Scribbr .

Check out more examples of citing online sources  and using DOIs from the MLA Style Center.

For information about citing images visit Finding and Using Image Resources .

• MLA Style Formatting Paper Guidelines Guidelines from the MLA Style Center on how to format your paper, including the title page, text formatting, tables and illustrations, and more.

   What does the general format of an MLA paper look like ?

The MLA Handbook, 9th Edition specifies conventions for formatting papers. Below is a sample paper formatted in MLA 9 style. See more sample papers at MLA Style Center .

How do I make a hanging indent in Word?

1. Highlight the citation in your reference list with your cursor. 

2. Right click.

3. Select Paragraph .

4. Under Indentation, select Special and Hanging .

  How do I format my essay in MLA using Word?

Learn how to format a paper using Microsoft Word according to MLA style.

• Next: Citation Generators >>
• Last Updated: Feb 4, 2023 4:10 PM
• URL: https://sjcc.libguides.com/mla-9-citation-guide

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MLA 9th Edition Style Guide: Home

• Generic Section Labels
• Inclusive Language
• Publisher Abbreviations
• Formatting your Paper
• Annotated Bibliography
• Social Media
• Audiovisual
• Personal Communication
• Dissertation/Thesis
• News Publication
• Classroom Material
• Conference Proceedings and Papers
• Footnotes and Endnotes
• Tables and Figures
• Useful Links

Introduction

MLA (Modern Language Association) Handbook is a style manual that includes the guidelines for formatting your research paper, citing your sources in the text of your paper (paraphrasing or quoting), and constructing your works cited list based on your in-text citations.

Remember to always: (1) consult the MLA Handbook, Appendix 2 for many more authoritative examples of Works Cited list entries and in-text citations; and (2) follow any specific guidelines from your professor.

Please note that many of the citation examples in this LibGuide are taken from the MLA Handbook, 9 th ed. (2021), while other examples are created for explanatory purposes only.

MLA Handbook Online

Book Contents

Formatting Your Research Project (Chap. 1)

Mechanics of Prose (Chap. 2)

Principles of Inclusive Language (Chap. 3)

Documenting Sources: An Overview (Chap. 4)

The List of Works Cited (Chap. 5)

Citing Sources in the Text (Chap. 6)

Notes (Chap. 7)

Appendix 1: Abbreviations

Appendix 2: Works-Cited-List Entries by Publication Format

MLA Handbook (9th ed.)

• MLA Handbook Plus It is the only authorized version of the full text of the ninth edition of the print handbook
• MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature (2nd ed.) Includes fulltext of the book offering guidance to undergraduate students working on research assignments for their English and American literature classes
• MLA Guide to Digital Literacy (2nd ed.) This book is a practical classroom guide for students so that they develop strategies for understanding, parsing, and assessing information.

Who uses or requires MLA Style?

Core Elements

Works cited list entries are created using a template of c ore elements - standard criteria or information that is common to most sources or works (for example, author, title, publication date) which helps you cite any type of source or work. MLA 9th edition has 11 core elements to complete any works cited entry. If an element is absent or not relevant to your source or work, you can omit that element.

When you create a citation in MLA style, you should list each relevant element in the order below with the punctuation shown.

Title of source.

Supplemental Element.

Title of container,

Contributor,

Publication date,

MLA Core Elements Template

• Core Elements Template

Tweets from MLA Style Center

Ask a librarian.

• Virtual Reference Get help from a librarian via chat, email, text or phone!

• Next: Updates and changes >>
• Last Updated: Feb 28, 2024 12:59 PM
• URL: https://libguides.uprm.edu/MLA9/en

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MLA 9: Home

• Formatting Your Paper
• In-Text Citations
• Works Cited
• Citing Books
• Citing Periodicals
• Citing Media

Academic Success Center

Wendy Holmes Director of Academic Success Centre [email protected]

MCS Resources

  MLA 9 Tip Sheet 

Helpful sites

• Ask the MLA  

• For those using Zotero , this resource has been updated to include MLA 9 changes.
• University of Alberta has an excellent resource on Citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Introduction to MLA

MLA style is a formatting and citation method developed by the Modern Language Association. MLA style is required for all research papers at Master’s. It outlines how to format your paper, cite quotations and paraphrased material as well as how to properly format in-text citations and your list of works cited. Any time you use words or ideas directly from another person’s work or paraphrase another author’s work you must give credit by acknowledging the source. Citing your sources is important for avoiding plagiarism, lending credibility to your research, and for pointing your readers to the broader context of scholarship from which your research came.

MLA 9 Chapter Headings

• Formatting Your Research Project
• Mechanics of Prose
• Principles of Inclusive Language
• Documenting Sources:  An Overview
• The List of Works Cited
• Citing Sources in the Text
• Appendix 1: Abbreviations
• Appendix 2: Works-Cited-List Entries by Publication Format
• In MLA 9 the chapters on formatting and writing advice such as grammar, punctuation, and spelling that were found in the 7 th  edition are back.
• A more in-depth explanation of the core elements that were introduced in MLA 8 has been provided.
• There is an increase in the number of examples including actual visuals indicating where to look on particular sources for the required citation information.
• The various types of resources and examples have grown to include social media sources and more.
• A new chapter on inclusive language has been added.
• Direction is given on creating an annotated bibliography.

Core Elements

The Core Elements (with the correct punctuation) of MLA 9 are:

• Title of Source .
• Title of Container ,
• Contributor ,
• Number , 
• Publisher ,
• Publication Date ,

Library Staff

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• Last Updated: Sep 1, 2023 1:30 PM
• URL: https://mcs.libguides.com/MLA9

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MLA Formatting Quotations

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MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8 th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

When you directly quote the works of others in your paper, you will format quotations differently depending on their length. Below are some basic guidelines for incorporating quotations into your paper. Please note that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced .

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (four typed lines or fewer of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page number (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the in-text citation, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.

Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:

When using short (fewer than three lines of verse) quotations from poetry, mark breaks in verse with a slash, ( / ), at the end of each line of verse (a space should precede and follow the slash). If a stanza break occurs during the quotation, use a double slash ( // ).

Long quotations

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2   inch  from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come  after the closing punctuation mark . When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

For example, when citing more than four lines of prose, use the following examples :

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

When citing long sections of poetry (four lines of verse or more), keep formatting as close to the original as possible.

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (qtd. in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)

When citing two or more paragraphs, use block quotation format, even if the passage from the paragraphs is less than four lines. If you cite more than one paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph should be indented an extra 1/4 inch to denote a new paragraph:

In "American Origins of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Movement," David Russell argues,

Writing has been an issue in American secondary and higher education since papers and examinations came into wide use in the 1870s, eventually driving out formal recitation and oral examination. . . .

From its birth in the late nineteenth century, progressive education has wrestled with the conflict within industrial society between pressure to increase specialization of knowledge and of professional work (upholding disciplinary standards) and pressure to integrate more fully an ever-widening number of citizens into intellectually meaningful activity within mass society (promoting social equity). . . . (3)

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text:

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipses, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

Please note that brackets are not needed around ellipses unless they would add clarity.

When omitting words from poetry quotations, use a standard three-period ellipses; however, when omitting one or more full lines of poetry, space several periods to about the length of a complete line in the poem: