Simone Lawson
When citing a political campaign website in MLA format, there are several key elements to consider. Firstly, it is important to record the date when the website was accessed, although this is no longer a mandatory requirement according to the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. The URL or web address should also be included to help readers locate the source, but only the www. address is required, and any https:// should be omitted. In addition, it is recommended to keep personal copies of important online information, such as downloading or printing key documents, as online content can change or disappear. When citing a website with multiple authors, the authors' names should be listed in the same order as the source, with the first name in reverse order, followed by a comma and et al. for sources with three or more authors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | The author's name should be listed, with the last name first. |
| Title | The title of the website or webpage should be in italics. |
| Version numbers | Include any version numbers, editions, revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers. |
| Page range | If there is a corresponding print publication, include the page range. If not, indicate the URL or other location information. |
| Date accessed | Including the date you accessed the webpage is optional but encouraged. |
| URL | Include the URL or, if available, a DOI (digital object identifier). |
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What You'll Learn
Citing a website with two authors
When citing a website with two authors in MLA format, you should include both authors' names in the in-text citation and the Works Cited entry. The authors' names should be listed in the order they appear on the original source.
For the in-text citation, you can include the authors' names either within the sentence itself or in parentheses following the reference to the source. For example:
> Gass and Varonis found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (163).
Or:
> One study found that the most important element in comprehending non-native speech is familiarity with the topic (Gass and Varonis 163).
Note that if the authors' names are already mentioned in the sentence, you don't need to repeat them in the parenthetical citation. Instead, just provide the page number where the referenced material appears:
> Gass and Varonis argue that representations of migration are shaped by cultural, political, and ideological interests.
For the Works Cited entry, the general format for a website is as follows:
> Author1, Firstname, and Author2, Firstname. "Title of the Source." Title of the Container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.
Only include information that is available and relevant to your source. If there are no page numbers, you can use alternative locators such as a chapter number or timestamp. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the authors' names or the title.
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Citing a website without a formal title
When citing a website without a formal title in MLA format, you can follow the general principles of MLA citation and adapt them to the new source type. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you with this:
Author Name
Begin the citation with the author's name, if available. If the author is unknown or not provided, you can omit this part.
Page Title
If there is no author, start with the title of the page. Place the title in quotation marks. Use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation.
Website Name
Provide the name of the website where the page or article is published. Italicize the website name.
Publication Date
Include the date the page or article was published. If the publication date is unknown or if the content is subject to change, you can add the date you accessed the information instead, using the format "Accessed Date Month Year."
URL
Include the URL or web address to help readers locate the source easily. Omit the "https://". If a "permalink" or a shortened, stable URL is available, use that instead.
Page Numbers or Alternative Locator
Websites usually do not have page numbers. If the source has no page numbers, you can use alternative locators such as chapter numbers or timestamps for audio or video sources. If there are no numbered divisions, simply cite the author's name or the title.
In-Text Citation
For in-text citations, provide the author's last name and the page number in parentheses, unless the author's name is already mentioned in the sentence. If the author is unknown, use only the page number in parentheses.
"Page Title." *Website Name*, Publication Date (if known), URL.
Remember to keep a record of when you first consult each online source, as online information can change or disappear. You can also keep personal copies of important electronic information or use the Bookmark function in your web browser for easy reference.
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Citing a website with a DOI instead of a URL
When citing a website in MLA style, it is important to include either a URL or a DOI (digital object identifier) to help readers locate your sources. While the use of a URL is common, citing a DOI is preferred if one is available.
A standard MLA citation for a website with a DOI would include the following information:
- Author
- Title of the source (in quotation marks)
- Title of the container
- Other contributors
- Version
- Number
- Publisher
- Publication date
- DOI
For example, a citation for an article on a website might look like this:
Smith, Jane. "The Benefits of Online Learning." Journal of Education, vol. 12, no. 3, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1234/5678.
Note that the DOI is formatted as a link, including "https://doi.org/" at the start. This is the preferred format for MLA style.
If a source does not have a DOI assigned, or if the citation style specifically calls for a URL, you can cite the source's ordinary web address instead. It is also a good idea to keep a personal copy of important electronic information, as online sources can change or disappear.
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Citing a website with a permalink
When citing a website with a permalink in MLA style, you should follow a standard format. This will help your reader easily identify and locate your sources.
Firstly, begin with the name of the author who wrote the information on the page. If no author is listed, you can omit this information and start with the title of the page. The title of the individual page should be placed in quotation marks, followed by a period. Next, you should include the name of the website in italics, followed by a comma. If the name of the publisher matches the name of the author or the title, you do not need to include the publisher's information.
After this, include the date the page or website was published. Finally, end the citation with the URL or DOI. If you are using a URL, copy it directly from the address bar or link in your browser window. Only the www. address is required, so you can eliminate any https://. If a DOI (digital object identifier) is available, this should be included instead of a URL or permalink.
MLA style encourages the use of citing containers such as YouTube, JSTOR, Spotify, or Netflix to help readers easily access and verify sources. If you are citing a website with a permalink, you should use the permalink instead of a URL. A permalink is a shortened, stable version of a URL, often found by looking for a "share" or "cite this" button.
It is also a good idea to keep a personal copy of important electronic information, as online information can change or disappear. You can download or print key documents to ensure you have a stable backup.
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Citing a website with a date accessed
When citing a website in MLA style, it is important to note that the date accessed is optional. However, it is recommended to include it if the webpage does not have any date information or if the content is likely to change over time.
The general format for an MLA citation includes the following elements:
- Author's name: Place the author's name in reverse order, with the last name first, followed by a comma, and then the first name followed by a period. If there is no known author, start the citation with the title of the page or website.
- Title of the page or document: The title of the web page or article should be placed in quotation marks, with a period before the end quotation.
- Title of the website: The title of the website should be written in italics followed by a comma.
- Publisher or sponsoring organization: Include the name of the publisher or sponsoring organization if it differs from the name of the website. This information can often be found in a copyright notice at the bottom of the homepage or on a page that provides information about the site.
- Date of publication or last modified date: Provide the date when the page or site was published, if available. If there is no publication date, leave out this element and include the date of access at the end.
- URL: Include the URL of the specific page or article being cited, omitting "https://". If the URL is long, use a shortened version that still allows readers to locate the source.
> Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Page or Document." Title of Website, Publisher or Sponsoring Organization, Date of publication or last modified date, URL. Accessed Date Month Year.
For example:
> Gillingham, Kim. "How to Use the Dewey Decimal System." Wikihow, https://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Dewey-Decimal-System. Accessed 6 July 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The Modern Language Association refers to the following as "core elements" in the Handbook: Title of source, Author/editor names, and Location of the source (such as DOI, URL, or page range).
For a website with two authors, place the authors' names in the same order as the source. The first name should be formatted in reverse order, and the second name is written as First Name Last Name and is followed by a period.
Use a shortened version of the webpage description for the in-text citation. Use the first noun phrase of the description from your Works Cited citation in parenthesis, followed by a period.
No, it is not mandatory to include the date accessed. However, it may still be useful to include this information, and you can list it after the URL in the following manner: Accessed Day Month Year.
