What is a Works Cited Page in MLA Format? A Beginner's Guide
Need help with your paper?
Get an instant price estimate from a professional service.
What is a Works Cited Page in MLA Format?
A Works Cited page is a crucial component of an MLA format research paper. It serves as a reference list for the sources you've used in your research, providing readers with information on how to access those sources. In this article, we'll break down what a Works Cited page entails and provide practical tips on creating one.
What Goes on a Works Cited Page?
A Works Cited page lists all sources cited in your research paper in a specific format. This includes books, articles, websites, and more. Each source is formatted according to the MLA guidelines, which can be found in the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook.
Tip: Start by Gathering Your Sources
Before you begin creating your Works Cited page, gather all sources you've used in your research paper. This includes print and online sources, as well as any sources that require a DOI (digital object identifier).
Organizing Your Sources
Once you have all of your sources gathered, it's time to organize them into categories. The MLA guidelines recommend organizing sources by type:
- Books
- Periodical articles
- Web pages
- Podcasts
- Films
- Documentaries
- Plays
- Adaptations
Example: Categorizing Sources
Here are a few examples of how you might categorize your sources:
- Books:
- Smith, John. The History of Science. New York: Random House, 2010.
- Johnson, Mary. The Psychology of Learning. London: Routledge, 2015.
- Periodical articles:
- "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20.
Creating the Works Cited Page Format
Now that you've gathered and organized your sources, it's time to create the format for your Works Cited page. The MLA guidelines recommend using a hanging indent for each source entry, with five spaces between the title and the author's name. Here are some general guidelines for formatting different types of sources:
Tip: Use the "Author-Date" Format
The MLA recommends using the "author-date" format for most sources:
- Book:
- Lastname, Firstname. Title of book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
- Smith, John. The History of Science. Random House, 2010.
- Article:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, Date of Publication, pp. page numbers.
Examples and More Information
Here are a few more examples to illustrate how to format different sources in the MLA style:
- Website:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Web Page." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, https://www.example.com.
- Podcast:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Episode Title." Title of Podcast, Day Month Year of Publication, https://www.example.com/podcastepisode.
Conclusion
Creating a Works Cited page in MLA format requires attention to detail and organization. By following these practical tips and guidelines, you'll be able to create a Works Cited page that accurately represents your research sources and helps readers access those sources. Remember to always consult the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook for specific guidance on formatting different types of sources.