How to Cite a Website in MLA Style: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Hey there, readers! Are you struggling to nail the MLA citation for that killer website you found? Don’t fret; we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide. Say goodbye to citation headaches and hello to academic bliss!
MLA, or Modern Language Association, style is commonly used in humanities disciplines such as English, history, and languages. Its purpose is to standardize the way sources are cited, ensuring consistency and clarity in scholarly writing. So, grab a pen and paper (or your favorite digital note-taking app) and let’s dive into the world of website citations!
Basic Website Citation Format
In-Text Citation
When you mention a source from a website in your writing, you need to include a brief in-text citation. Here’s the format:
- Author’s Last Name, Page Number
- For example: (Smith 12)
Full Website Citation
For your Works Cited or Reference List, you’ll need to include a full citation that provides all the necessary information about the website:
- Author’s Name (if available)
- "Title of Web Page"
- Name of Website (in italics)
- Publisher (if available)
- Date of Publication (day, month, year)
- URL
Here’s an example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Psychology Today, 15 Mar. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/202303/the-impact-of-social-media-on-teenagers.
Citing a Website with No Author
Sometimes, websites don’t provide author names. In such cases, follow these steps:
In-Text Citation
- Use the title of the web page as the author’s name in quotation marks.
- For example: ("The Impact of Social Media" 12)
Full Website Citation
- Start the full citation with the title of the web page in quotation marks.
- For example:
"The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Psychology Today, 15 Mar. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/202303/the-impact-of-social-media-on-teenagers.
Citing a Website with Multiple Authors
If the website has multiple authors, follow these rules:
In-Text Citation
- List the first author’s last name followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others").
- For example: (Smith et al. 12)
Full Website Citation
- List all the authors’ last names separated by commas.
- For example:
Smith, John, et al. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Psychology Today, 15 Mar. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/202303/the-impact-of-social-media-on-teenagers.
Citing a Website that Requires Login
If you’re citing a website that requires a login or subscription, include the following:
- In-Text Citation: (Author’s Last Name, Page Number) [Database Name]
- Full Website Citation:
Author’s Name (if available)
"Title of Web Page"
Name of Website (in italics)
Publisher (if available)
Date of Publication (day, month, year)
URL
[Database Name]
For example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers." Psychology Today, 15 Mar. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/202303/the-impact-of-social-media-on-teenagers. [Psychology Today Database]
MLA Website Citation Table
For a quick reference, here’s a handy table summarizing the MLA website citation format:
| Element | In-Text Citation | Full Website Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Last Name, Page Number | Name, if available |
| Title of Web Page | In quotation marks | In quotation marks |
| Name of Website | Italics | Italics |
| Publisher | If available | If available |
| Date of Publication | Day, Month, Year | Day, Month, Year |
| URL | Not included | Included |
Conclusion
Congratulations, readers! You’ve now mastered the art of citing websites in MLA style. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure that your academic papers are consistent, clear, and properly attributed.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles for more helpful tips and tricks on academic writing and research. Happy citing, and may your citations always be on point!
FAQ about How to Cite a Website MLA
1. What information do I need to cite a website in MLA?
- Author’s name (if available)
- Title of the webpage
- Name of the website
- Publisher of the website
- Date of publication
- URL of the webpage
2. How do I format the citation for a website with an author?
- Author’s last name, First name. "Title of Webpage." Name of Website, Publisher of Website, Publication date, URL.
3. How do I format the citation for a website without an author?
- Title of Webpage. Name of Website, Publisher of Website, Publication date, URL.
4. What do I do if the webpage has no listed author or publication date?
- Use "N.p." (no page) for the author or publisher, and "n.d." (no date) for the publication date.
5. How do I cite a website that is a landing page or does not have a specific title?
- Describe the page as clearly as possible in the quotation marks within the title:
- "Landing Page: John Smith’s Blog."
6. How do I cite a website with multiple authors?
- List up to three authors’ last names and first initials, followed by an ellipsis:
- "Smith, J., Jones, S., and Johnson, R…"
7. What if the website is part of a larger website?
- Include the title of the larger website after the name of the specific webpage:
- "Blog Post Title." The Ultimate Guide, Website Title.
8. How do I cite a website that requires a subscription or login to access?
- Include the access requirements in brackets after the URL:
- "Title of Webpage." Name of Website, Publisher of Website, Publication date, URL [Subscription required].
9. How do I cite a website that is no longer available?
- Include the original URL followed by "URL unavailable" in brackets:
- "Title of Webpage." Name of Website, Publisher of Website, Publication date, URL [URL unavailable].
10. How do I cite a website that is a personal blog?
- Treat it like a website without an author, but include the phrase "Personal Blog" in brackets after the name of the website:
- "Title of Webpage." Name of Website [Personal Blog], Publication date, URL.
