Introduction
When writing a research paper or academic essay, it is important to properly cite your sources to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. In MLA (Modern Language Association) format, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of information within the body of your paper. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of in-text citing a website in MLA format.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of MLA Format
Before we dive into in-text citations, let’s quickly review the basics of MLA format:
- MLA format is commonly used in the humanities, such as English, literature, and history.
- MLA format uses parenthetical citations within the text to refer to the full citation in the Works Cited page.
- The Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you cited.
Step 2: Locate the Necessary Information
To create an in-text citation for a website, you will need the following information:
- The author’s name (if available)
- The title of the webpage or article
- The name of the website
- The URL (web address) of the webpage
- The date of publication or the date you accessed the webpage
Step 3: Format the In-Text Citation
In MLA format, the in-text citation is placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence or phrase that includes the information from the website. The basic format for an in-text citation is:
(Last Name Page Number)
If the author’s name is not available, use the title of the webpage instead. If there is no page number, omit it from the citation.
Here are some examples of in-text citations for websites:
| Scenario | In-Text Citation |
|---|---|
| Website with an author and page number | (Smith 42) |
| Website with no author and page number | (“Title of Webpage”) |
| Website with no author and no page number | (“Title of Webpage”) |
Step 4: Include the Full Citation in the Works Cited Page
After the in-text citation, you need to include the full citation in the Works Cited page. The format for a website citation in MLA format is:
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage.” Name of Website, Publisher or Sponsor of Website, Date of Publication or Access.
Here’s an example of a website citation in MLA format:
Smith, John. “The Importance of Citing Sources.” Example Website, Example Publisher, 1 Jan. 2022.
Step 5: Double-Check Your Citations
Before submitting your paper, make sure to double-check your in-text citations and Works Cited page for accuracy. Ensure that all the necessary information is included and formatted correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to include the full URL in the in-text citation?
A: No, you do not need to include the full URL in the in-text citation. Only include the author’s name or the title of the webpage.
Q: What if there is no author or title for the webpage?
A: If there is no author or title for the webpage, use a brief description of the webpage in the in-text citation.
Q: How do I cite a website with multiple authors?
A: If a website has multiple authors, include the last name of the first author followed by “et al.” in the in-text citation.
Q: Can I use a shortened version of the title in the in-text citation?
A: Yes, you can use a shortened version of the title in the in-text citation if it is too long. Just make sure it still accurately represents the content of the webpage.
Conclusion
In-text citations are an essential part of academic writing, allowing you to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can confidently in-text cite a website in MLA format. Remember to always consult the official MLA guidelines or your instructor for specific citation requirements.
