Citing sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity and scholarly communication. When you incorporate information from websites into your research papers, essays, or any form of writing, it’s crucial to give credit to the original source. Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens your work by demonstrating the breadth and depth of your research. Navigating the world of online sources can be complex, but with a clear understanding of citation methods, you can confidently and accurately acknowledge your digital resources. This guide will walk you through the process of how to cite a website using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format, a widely recognized style in the humanities.
Understanding how to cite a website correctly in MLA style involves identifying key pieces of information and arranging them in a specific format. While the MLA Handbook emphasizes principles over rigid rules, a consistent approach ensures clarity and allows readers to easily locate your sources. This guide draws upon the established principles of MLA citation, similar to resources provided by reputable institutions like the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL), to offer you a robust understanding of website citation.
Key Elements for Citing a Website in MLA Format
To accurately cite a website in MLA format, you need to gather specific details about the source. Think of it like creating a bibliographic fingerprint for each website you use. The core elements you’ll typically need to locate are:
- Author: Who created the content? This could be an individual, a group, or an organization.
- Title of the Webpage: What is the specific title of the content you are referencing? This is usually found at the top of the page.
- Title of the Website: What is the name of the overall website? This is often found in the website’s header or footer.
- Publisher or Sponsor: Who is responsible for publishing or sponsoring the website? This might be a university, organization, or company. If the website title and publisher are the same, you only need to list the title once.
- Date of Publication or Last Update: When was the content published or last updated? Look for dates near the top or bottom of the webpage.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator): What is the web address of the page? Provide a direct and stable link. MLA format recommends omitting “https://” from the URL.
- Date of Access (Optional but Recommended): When did you access the website? This is particularly useful for online content that may change over time and is highly recommended by MLA, especially if a publication date is not readily available.
Once you have gathered these elements, you’ll arrange them in a specific order to create your MLA website citation.
Author: Identifying the Creator
The author is the individual, group, or organization responsible for the content.
- Individual Author: If a specific person is credited with writing the content, use their name in “Last Name, First Name” format. For example: Lundman, Susan.
- Group or Organization: If a group or organization is the author, use the full name of the group or organization. For example: Purdue OWL.
- No Author: If no author is explicitly named, you can often start with the title of the webpage.
“Title of the Webpage”: Pinpointing the Specific Content
The title of the webpage is the name of the specific article, guide, or piece of content you are citing.
- Enclose the webpage title in quotation marks. For example: “How to Make Vegetarian Chili.”
- Capitalize the main words in the title.
Title of the Website: Naming the Overall Source
The title of the website is the name of the entire website where the webpage is located.
- Italicize the title of the website. For example: eHow.
- Capitalize the main words in the website title.
Publisher or Sponsor: Understanding Website Authority
The publisher or sponsor is the entity responsible for the website.
- If the publisher is clearly different from the website title (e.g., a university sponsoring a website), include the publisher name. For example: Purdue U for Purdue OWL.
- If the website name and publisher are the same, you generally don’t need to repeat the publisher. For example, for WebMD, the website and publisher are essentially the same.
Date of Publication or Last Update: Contextualizing the Information
The date helps readers understand the timeliness of the information.
- Look for publication dates or “last updated” dates.
- Use the format: Day Month Year (e.g., 25 Sept. 2014). Abbreviate months longer than four letters (except for May, June, July).
- If no date is available, you can omit this element or use the access date to indicate when you consulted the information.
URL: Providing the Link
The URL allows readers to directly access the source.
- Include the full URL, but omit “https://” as per MLA guidelines. For example: www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html.
- Use stable URLs or permalinks whenever possible.
Date of Access: Tracking Dynamic Content
The access date is when you consulted the website.
- Use the phrase “Accessed” followed by the date in Day Month Year format. For example: Accessed 6 July 2015.
- While optional, it’s highly recommended, especially for websites without clear publication dates or for content that is likely to change.
MLA Website Citation Templates and Examples
Here are basic templates and examples for citing different types of websites in MLA format, drawing inspiration from the Purdue OWL guidelines and adapting them for clarity and SEO optimization around “How Do I Cite A Website.”
1. Citing an Entire Website:
Use this format when you are referencing the website as a whole, rather than a specific page.
Author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number (if available), Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available), URL. Date of access (if applicable).
Example:
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, 2008, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. Accessed 23 Apr. 2008.
2. Citing a Page on a Website:
This is the most common scenario when citing websites.
Author, or alias if known. “Title of Page or Article.” Title of Website, Publisher or Sponsoring Organization (if different from website title), Publication Date (if available), URL. Accessed Date (recommended).
Example:
Lundman, Susan. “How to Make Vegetarian Chili.” eHow, www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html. Accessed 6 July 2015.
Example with Organizational Author and No Publication Date:
“Athlete’s Foot – Topic Overview.” WebMD, WebMD, 25 Sept. 2014, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview.
3. Citing an Article in a Web Magazine:
Author. “Article Title.” Title of Web Magazine, Publisher (if different from magazine title), Publication Date, URL. Accessed Date.
Example:
Bernstein, Mark. “10 Tips on Writing the Living Web.” A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites, 16 Aug. 2002, alistapart.com/article/writeliving. Accessed 4 May 2009.
4. Citing an Article in an Online Scholarly Journal:
Author(s). “Article Title.” Journal Title, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. Page Range (if available), Database Name (if applicable), DOI (if available), URL. Accessed Date.
Example – Online Only Journal:
Dolby, Nadine. “Research in Youth Culture and Policy: Current Conditions and Future Directions.” Social Work and Society: The International Online-Only Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, 2008, www.socwork.net/sws/article/view/60/362. Accessed 20 May 2009.
Example – Journal also in Print (with DOI):
Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo. “Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater Invertebrates.” Environmental Toxicology, vol. 21, no. 1, 3 Feb. 2006, pp. 90-94. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20155. Accessed 26 May 2009.
5. Citing an Image from a Website:
Artist. Title of Work. Date of Creation, Institution/Location, Website Name, URL. Accessed Date.
Example:
Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV. 1800. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid. Museo Nacional del Prado, www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-family-of-carlos-iv/f47898fc-aa1c-48f6-a779-71759e417e74. Accessed 22 May 2006.
6. Citing a Video from YouTube:
Author or Uploader. “Title of Video.” YouTube, Uploaded by Uploader (if different from author), Date Uploaded, URL.
Example:
McGonigal, Jane. “Gaming and Productivity.” YouTube, uploaded by Big Think, 3 July 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkdzy9bWW3E.
Best Practices for Website Citation
- Be Thorough in Your Information Gathering: Take the time to locate all the necessary elements. Scroll to the top and bottom of the webpage, check “About Us” or “Contact” pages to find publisher information or dates.
- Prioritize Stable URLs: If a website offers a permalink or stable URL, use that instead of a long, dynamic URL that might break.
- Record Access Dates Consistently: Make it a habit to note the date you accessed online sources, especially for websites that are frequently updated. This is a good practice for academic rigor and helps if content is altered after you’ve used it.
- Use Citation Management Tools: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or citation generators can help you organize your sources and format citations correctly. However, always double-check automatically generated citations for accuracy.
- Consult Official MLA Guidelines: For the most detailed and up-to-date information, refer to the MLA Handbook. Resources like the Purdue OWL are excellent interpretations and guides based on the official handbook.
Conclusion: Mastering Website Citations in MLA
Knowing how to cite a website in MLA format is an essential skill for anyone working with online sources. By understanding the key elements and following the templates provided, you can confidently and accurately cite websites in your academic and professional writing. Remember, consistent and correct citation practices are crucial for academic integrity, demonstrating your research process, and giving proper credit to the creators of the content you use. When in doubt, always refer to reputable resources like the MLA Handbook or the Purdue OWL for guidance, and practice meticulous record-keeping of your sources. Mastering website citation not only strengthens your work but also positions you as a responsible and ethical researcher in the digital age.
