Citing websites in MLA format is essential for giving credit to the original sources of information in your research papers. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in humanities disciplines, and it has specific guidelines for formatting citations. Here are three practical examples of MLA format for websites to help you correctly reference online sources in your academic work.
This example illustrates how to cite an online article from a reputable news website. It’s useful when researching current events or specific topics discussed in news media.
When you want to reference an article, you need the author’s name, the title of the article, the title of the website, the publisher (if available), the publication date, and the URL.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Website, Publisher, Publication Date, URL.
For instance:
Smith, John. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.” News Today, News Today Publishing, 15 June 2023, www.newstoday.com/climate-coast.
Notes: If there is no specific publisher listed, you can omit that part. Always ensure that your URLs are functional and direct readers to the source.
When you want to cite a blog post, you’ll need to follow a similar format to that of an online article. This example is particularly useful for referencing expert opinions or personal insights related to your research topic.
A blog post citation includes the author’s name, post title, blog name, publisher (if different from the blog name), publication date, and the URL.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Blog Post.” Title of the Blog, Publisher, Date of Post, URL.
For example:
Doe, Jane. “5 Tips for Sustainable Living.” Eco Living Blog, Eco Living Group, 1 April 2023, www.ecolivingblog.com/sustainable-tips.
Notes: If the blog is self-published or the author is the blog owner, you can simply use the blog name without a separate publisher. Also, be sure to use the exact date of the post to maintain accuracy.
Sometimes, you may need to cite a webpage that does not have an identifiable author. This is common for many informational sites or databases. It’s important to provide as much information as possible to help your reader locate the source.
In this case, you’ll usually start with the title of the webpage, followed by the website title, the publisher, the publication date, and the URL.
“Title of the Webpage.” Title of the Website, Publisher, Publication Date, URL.
For instance:
“History of the Internet.” Internet Society, Internet Society, 10 March 2023, www.internetsociety.org/history.
Notes: If there is no publication date, you can use the access date instead by adding “Accessed” before the date. This helps indicate when you retrieved the information.
By using these examples of MLA format for websites, you can effectively cite online sources and enhance the credibility of your research papers. Remember to keep your citations consistent and check for accuracy to ensure your work adheres to MLA guidelines.