In today’s digital age, websites are indispensable sources of information for academic research, professional projects, and everyday learning. Knowing how to properly cite a website in MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a crucial skill for students, researchers, and anyone who wants to give credit where it’s due and avoid plagiarism. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps of creating MLA website citations, ensuring accuracy and academic integrity in your work.
MLA style emphasizes a principle-based approach to citation, focusing on key elements of a source rather than rigid rules. This flexibility allows you to cite a wide range of online sources effectively. Understanding these core principles will empower you to cite websites and other digital content confidently and correctly.
This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for mastering MLA website citations. We’ll cover everything from the basic elements you need to identify to specific examples for various types of websites. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to cite any website in MLA format with ease and precision.
Understanding the Core Elements of MLA Website Citations
Before diving into the specifics of citing websites, it’s important to grasp the fundamental elements that make up an MLA citation. These elements act as building blocks, allowing you to construct citations for various source types, including websites. According to the MLA Handbook, a standard citation includes the following core components:
- Author. Who created the content? This could be an individual, an organization, or a group.
- Title of Source. What is the name of the work being cited? For a webpage, this is often the title of the specific page. For a website as a whole, it’s the name of the site.
- Title of Container. Is the source part of a larger whole? For websites, the website name itself is often the container. For online databases, the database name is the container.
- Other Contributors. Are there any other significant contributors besides the author, such as editors, translators, or illustrators? This is less common for website citations but can apply in some cases.
- Version. Is there a specific version, edition, or revision of the source? This might include edition numbers, revisions, or posting dates.
- Number. Does the source have volume and issue numbers, like a journal or magazine? This is generally not applicable to website citations unless you are citing an online journal article.
- Publisher. Who published or sponsored the source? For websites, this is often the organization or institution associated with the site.
- Publication Date. When was the source published or created? Look for copyright dates, publication dates, or last updated dates.
- Location. Where can the source be found? For websites, this is typically the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
Not every website will provide all of these elements. Your task is to find as much of this information as possible and arrange it in the correct MLA format. Remember, MLA prioritizes providing readers with enough information to locate the source themselves.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cite a Website in MLA Format
Now, let’s break down the process of citing a website in MLA format step by step.
1. Identify the Type of Website You Are Citing:
Are you citing an entire website, a specific page on a website, an article from an online magazine, or a blog post? The specific format might slightly vary depending on the type of web source. However, the core elements remain consistent.
2. Locate the Necessary Information:
Carefully examine the website for the following information:
- Author: Look for an author’s name at the top or bottom of the page or article. If no individual author is listed, check for a corporate author or organization responsible for the content. If no author is identifiable, start the citation with the title of the webpage.
- Title of the Webpage/Article: This is usually found prominently at the top of the page. Enclose it in quotation marks.
- Title of the Website: This is the overall name of the website, often found in the website header or footer. It should be italicized.
- Publisher/Sponsor: Look for information about the website’s publisher or sponsoring organization, often in the “About Us” or “Copyright” section. If the website name and publisher are the same, you only need to list the website name.
- Publication Date or Date Updated: Check for a publication date, copyright date, or “last updated” date. This information is often found at the bottom of the webpage. If no date is available, you can omit this element.
- URL or DOI: Copy the URL (web address) of the specific webpage you are citing. If the source is a scholarly article found online and has a DOI, use the DOI instead of the URL. Remember to omit “https://” from the URL.
- Date of Access (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly required by MLA, including the date you accessed the website is highly recommended, especially for websites where content is frequently updated or may change over time. Use the format: “Accessed Day Month Year.”
3. Construct the MLA Citation:
Once you have gathered the necessary information, assemble the citation using the following basic template:
Author. “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website, Publisher (if different from website name), Publication Date (if available), URL. Accessed Date (optional).
Example Templates for Different Website Types:
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Citing an Entire Website:
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).
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Citing a Page on a Website:
Author. “Title of Page or Article.” Title of Website, Publisher (if different from website name), Publication Date, URL. Accessed Date.
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Citing an Article in an Online Magazine:
Author. “Article Title.” Title of Web Magazine, Publisher, Publication Date, URL. Accessed Date.
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Citing an Article in an Online Scholarly Journal:
Author. “Article Title.” Title of Journal, Volume number, Issue number, Publication Date, page range (if available), DOI or URL. Accessed Date.
4. Format the Citation in Your Works Cited List:
In your Works Cited list at the end of your paper, arrange your citations alphabetically by the author’s last name (or by the title if there is no author). Indent the second and subsequent lines of each citation (hanging indent).
MLA Website Citation Examples
Let’s look at some examples to illustrate how to cite different types of websites in MLA format.
Example 1: Citing an Entire Website
Let’s cite the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) website, the source of the original article.
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, 2008, owl.purdue.edu/owl. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
Explanation:
- Author: In this case, there’s no single author, so we use the website name as the “author” – The Purdue OWL Family of Sites.
- Title of Website: The Purdue OWL Family of Sites (same as above in this case).
- Publisher: The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University.
- Publication Date: 2008 (This is the copyright date listed on the website).
- URL: owl.purdue.edu/owl.
- Accessed Date: Accessed 15 Aug. 2023. (Current date)
Example 2: Citing a Page on a Website
Let’s cite a specific page from the WebMD website about Athlete’s Foot.
“Athlete’s Foot – Topic Overview.” WebMD, 25 Sept. 2014, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview.
Explanation:
- Author: No individual author is listed, so we start with the title.
- Title of Webpage: “Athlete’s Foot – Topic Overview.”
- Title of Website: WebMD.
- Publication Date: 25 Sept. 2014.
- URL: www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview.
Example 3: Citing an Article in an Online Magazine
Let’s cite an article from A List Apart, an online magazine for web professionals.
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 15 Aug. 2023.
Explanation:
- Author: Bernstein, Mark.
- Title of Article: “10 Tips on Writing the Living Web.”
- Title of Web Magazine: A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites.
- Publication Date: 16 Aug. 2002.
- URL: alistapart.com/article/writeliving.
- Accessed Date: Accessed 15 Aug. 2023. (Current date)
Example 4: Citing an Article from an Online Database (like JSTOR)
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 15 Aug. 2023.
Explanation:
- Authors: Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo.
- Title of Article: “Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater Invertebrates.”
- Title of Journal: Environmental Toxicology.
- Volume & Issue: vol. 21, no. 1.
- Publication Date: 3 Feb. 2006.
- Pages: pp. 90-94.
- Title of Container (Database): Wiley Online Library.
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20155.
- Accessed Date: Accessed 15 Aug. 2023. (Current date)
Best Practices for Citing Websites in MLA
- Be Thorough in Your Information Gathering: Take your time to find all the necessary citation elements. The more complete your citation, the better.
- Prioritize Accuracy: Double-check all information, especially author names, titles, dates, and URLs, to ensure accuracy.
- Use Permalinks or DOIs When Available: If a website provides a permalink (a stable, unchanging URL) or a DOI (for scholarly articles), use these instead of standard URLs whenever possible. This helps ensure that the link remains valid over time.
- Record Access Dates: It’s a good practice to record the date you accessed online sources, as web content can change. This is especially helpful for websites without clear publication dates.
- Manage Your Online Sources: Consider using browser bookmarks or citation management tools to keep track of your online sources and their citation information.
- Consult the MLA Handbook: For complex or unusual sources, always refer to the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for detailed guidance.
Conclusion
Mastering MLA website citation is essential for academic success and responsible research practices. By understanding the core elements of MLA citations and following the step-by-step guidelines outlined in this guide, you can confidently and accurately cite websites in your work. Remember to be meticulous in gathering information, prioritize accuracy, and utilize the provided examples as templates. With practice, citing websites in MLA format will become a seamless part of your writing process, allowing you to focus on the content and ideas you want to share.
