MLA standard format requires that source URLs be written out rather than including a link with descriptive, accessible text.
The exception to this rule is if the Works Cited list is created for a project that exists only in digital format, then accessible descriptive links are acceptable. Examples of both are provided in this guide.
For more info see:
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Arquilla, John. “Cyberwar is Already Upon Us: But Can It Be Controlled?” Foreign Policy. 27 Feb. 2012, foreignpolicy.com/2012/02/27/cyberwar-is-already-upon-us/. Accessed 3 Mar. 2012. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Arquilla, John. “Cyberwar is Already Upon Us: But Can It Be Controlled?” Foreign Policy. 27 Feb. 2012. Accessed 3 Mar. 2012. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Cooper, Mary H. "America's Pampered Pets." CQ Researcher, vol. 6, no. 48, 27 Dec. 1996, pp. 1129-52. CQ Researcher Online, library.cqpress.com.ezproxy.greenriver.edu/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqres. Accessed 6 Nov. 2000. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Cooper, Mary H. "America's Pampered Pets." CQ Researcher, vol. 6, no. 48, 27 Dec. 1996, pp. 1129-52. CQ Researcher Online, Accessed 6 Nov. 2000. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Doyle, Christine. "Louisa May Alcott: New Texts and Contexts." Children's Literature, vol.27, 1999, pp. 211-17. ProQuest. search.proquest.com/docview/195572106?accountid=1558. Accessed 15 Sep. 2016. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Doyle, Christine. "Louisa May Alcott: New Texts and Contexts." Children's Literature, vol.27, 1999, pp. 211-17. ProQuest. Accessed 15 Sep. 2016. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
DeMaria, Anthony N. "A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 42, no. 2, 2003, pp. 373-74. ProQuest Periodicals, https://doi.og/10.1016/S0735-1097(03)00800-3. Accessed 15 Sept. 2016. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
DeMaria, Anthony N. "A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 42, no. 2, 2003, pp. 373-74. ProQuest Periodicals, Accessed 15 Sept. 2016. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. "Engaging Students in Storytelling." Teacher Librarian, vol. 33, no. 4, 2006, pp. 28-31. Academic OneFile, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20502611&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed 20 Oct. 2003. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. "Engaging Students in Storytelling." Teacher Librarian, vol. 33, no. 4, 2006, pp. 28-31. Academic OneFile, Accessed 20 Oct. 2003. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Brinkworth, Grant D., et al. "Long-Term Effects of a very-Low-Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet Compared with an Isocaloric Low-Fat Diet After 12 Mo." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 90. no. 1, 2009, p.23. ProQuest Research Library, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/231940252?accountid=1558 Accessed 15 Sep. 2016. *for 3 or more authors, just list the first author (last, first), followed by et. al. as shown here. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Brinkworth, Grant D., et al. "Long-Term Effects of a very-Low-Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet Compared with an Isocaloric Low-Fat Diet After 12 Mo." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 90. no. 1, 2009, p.23. ProQuest Research Library, Accessed 15 Sep. 2016. *for 3 or more authors, just list the first author (last, first), followed by et. al. as shown here. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Anonymous. "Estate Planning for Fido and Fluffy" Journal of Financial Planning, vol. 20, no. 11, Nov. 2007, p. 14. ProQuest Research Library, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/217550151?accountid=1558. Accessed 15 Jan. 2008. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Anonymous. "Estate Planning for Fido and Fluffy" Journal of Financial Planning, vol. 20, no. 11, Nov. 2007, p. 14. ProQuest Research Library, Accessed 15 Jan. 2008. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Cullen, Jim. "Library Technology Today." Seattle Times, 21 May 2010, p. B5. NewsBank, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com.ezproxy.greenriver.edu/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12BFFC. Accessed 20 May 2010. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Cullen, Jim. "Library Technology Today." Seattle Times, 21 May 2010, p. B5. NewsBank, Accessed 20 May 2010. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example |
Parker, Ian. "The Digital Librarian." The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2015, pp. 30-35. ProQuest, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/166666. Accessed 20 Mar. 2015. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) |
Parker, Ian. "The Digital Librarian." The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2015, pp. 30-35. ProQuest, Accessed 20 Mar. 2015. |
| Citation Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard Works Cited Example | "Nursing Assistants - Duties." Career Planner, SchoolData. Accessed 20 Nov. 2020. |
| Accessible Digital Works Cited Example (check with your instructor before using this style) | "Nursing Assistants - Duties." Career Planner, SchoolData. Accessed 20 Nov. 2020. |
The following citation is for an article, a report, located within the database CQ Researcher.
Cooper, Mary H. "America's Pampered Pets." CQ Researcher, vol. 6, no. 48, 27 Dec. 1996, pp. 1129-52. CQ Researcher Online, library.cqpress.com.ezproxy.greenriver.edu/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqres. Accessed 6 Nov. 2020.
This table shows how the elements of this citation look within the MLA formula template.
| Part of the Formula | Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Author. | Cooper, Mary H. |
| Title of Source. | America's Pampered Pets. |
| Title of Container, | CQ Researcher, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | vol. 6, no. 48, |
| Publisher, | CQ Researcher Online, |
| Publication date, | 27 Dec. 1996, |
| Location. |
pp. 1129-52. |
| ADDITIONAL CONTAINER Part of the Formula |
Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Title of Container, | |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | |
| Location. |
ezproxy.greenriver.edu: 2048/login?url=http://library. cqpress.com.ezproxy. greenriver.edu/ cqresearcher/cqresrre 1996122700 |
| Access date. | Accessed 6 Nov. 2020. |
**Note the use of two containers. The source is the book chapter. The first container is the larger source (the book title), and the second container is the database in which this book was accessed digitally (database name).
The following citation is for a chapter within an electronic book.
Cooper, Mary H. "America's Pampered Pets." CQ Researcher, vol. 6, no. 48, 27 Dec. 1996, pp. 1129-52. CQ Researcher Online. Accessed 6 Nov. 2020.
This table shows how the elements of this citation look within the MLA formula template.
| Part of the Formula | Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Author. | Cooper, Mary H. |
| Title of Source. | America's Pampered Pets. |
| Title of Container, | CQ Researcher, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | vol. 6, no. 48, |
| Publisher, | CQ Researcher Online, |
| Publication date, | 27 Dec. 1996, |
| Location. | pp. 1129-52. |
| ADDITIONAL CONTAINER Part of the Formula |
Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Title of Container, | |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | |
| Location. | CQ Researcher Online. |
| Access date. | Accessed 6 Nov. 2020. |
**Note the use of two containers. The source is the book chapter. The first container is the larger source (the book title), and the second container is the database in which this book was accessed digitally (database name).
The following citation is for a journal article from a database:
Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. "Engaging Students in Storytelling." Teacher Librarian, vol. 33, no. 4, 2006, pp. 28-31. Academic OneFile, ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20502611&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed 20 Oct. 2003.
This table shows how the elements of this citation look within the MLA formula template.
| Part of the Formula | Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Author. | Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. |
| Title of Source. | "Engaging Students in Storytelling." |
| Title of Container, | Teacher Librarian, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | vol. 33, no. 4, |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | 2006, |
| Location. |
pp.28-31. |
| ADDITIONAL CONTAINER Part of the Formula |
Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Title of Container, | Academic OneFile, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | |
| Location. |
ezproxy.greenriver.edu/login? url=http://search.ebscohost. com/login.aspx?direct=true&db =aph&AN=20502611&site= ehost-live&scope=site. |
| Access date. | Accessed 20 Oct. 2020. |
**Note the use of two containers. The source is the book chapter. The first container is the larger source (the book title), and the second container is the database in which this book was accessed digitally (database name).
The following citation is for a chapter within an electronic book.
Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. "Engaging Students in Storytelling." Teacher Librarian, vol. 33, no. 4, 2006, pp. 28-31. Academic OneFile, Accessed 20 Oct. 2003. .
This table shows how the elements of this citation look within the MLA formula template.
| Part of the Formula | Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Author. | Bishop, Kay, and Melanie A. Kimball. |
| Title of Source. | "Engaging Students in Storytelling." |
| Title of Container, | Teacher Librarian, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | vol. 33, no. 4, |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | 2006, |
| Location. | pp.28-31.. |
| ADDITIONAL CONTAINER Part of the Formula |
Example of electronic book chapter |
|---|---|
| Title of Container, | Academic OneFile, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | |
| Location. | |
| Access date. | Accessed 20 Oct. 2020. |
**Note the use of two containers. The source is the book chapter. The first container is the larger source (the book title), and the second container is the database in which this book was accessed digitally (database name).
Watson, James and Francis Crick. "A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid." Nature. vol.171, 1953, pp. 937.
Jones, Howard Mumford. “The Attractions of Stupidity.” St. Croix Review. vol. 30, no. 2, 1997, pp. 6-10.
Jasper, William F. “Good Cop, Bad Cop: Alarming Expansion and Bad Police Work Define Today’s FBI.” New American, vol. 30, May 1997, p. 226.
Gerry, Ross. “Tempo Training for Freestyle.” Swimming Technique, Apri.-Jun.,1997, pp. 40-42.
"The Guv'nor." Inside Soap, 21 Jan. 2000, pp. 12-13.
Munsey, Christopher, and P. J. Shuey. "Bomb Threats to Become Felony." Capital [Annapolis], 8 May 1997, sec. A, p. 1.
Schafer, Sarah. "Home Offices Get Hard Look." Washington Post, late ed., 5 Jan. 2000, sec. E, p. 1.
"Hog Farmers Squabble Over Pork Promotion." The Sun [Baltimore], Howard County ed., 5 Jan. 2000, sec. 3C.
Krauthammer, Charles. "Why Feed a Mortal Enemy?" Washington Post, late ed., 25 Apr. 1997, A27 sec. Editorial.
Beckman, Allyson. Letter. The Sun [Baltimore] 2 Nov. 2006, late ed., D10 sec.
Eakin, Emily. "Uncovering an Interracial Literature of Love… and Racism." Review of An Anthology of Interracial Literature: Black-White Contacts in the Old World and the New, by Werner Sollors. Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2004, sec. B, p. 9.
Stone, John. "An Intimate Journal.” Rev. of Running Late, by Dannie Abse. The Lancet, vol. 368, no. 9538, 2006, p. 833.
Wrathall, John. Review of That Thing You Do!, directed by Tom Hanks. Sight and Sound, Feb. 1997, p. 57.
Chang, Justin. "Brawny 'X-Men' Spawn." Review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, directed by Gavin Hood. Daily Variety 30 Apr. 2009, pp. 1-2.
The following citation is for a print copy of a newspaper article.
Schafer, Sarah. "Home Offices Get Hard Look." Washington Post, late ed., 5 Jan. 2000, sec. E, p. 1.
This table shows how the elements of this citation look within the MLA formula template.
| Author. | Schafer, Sarah. |
| Title of Source. | "Home Offices Get Hard Look." |
| Title of Container, | Washington Post, |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | late ed, |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | 5 Jan. 2000 |
| Location. | sec. E, p. 1. |
| Title of Container, | |
| Contributors, | |
| Version, | |
| Number, | |
| Publisher, | |
| Publication date, | |
| Location. |
|
| Access date. |
**Note: If this were not a print newspaper, but one accessed electronically through the databases, then you would fill in the additional container with the name of the database (Title of Container), the full URL to the article (Location), and the date you accessed it (Access date).
Include as much of the following as possible:
Author. Title of Source. Title of Container, Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location. Date Accessed.
| Part of the Formula | Examples and Explanation |
|---|---|
| Author. | • one author: Last Name, rest of name as presented in the source. (example: Williams, Fred Laurence.) • two authors: reverse name of first author followed by a comma, then second author’s first name and then last name. (example: Cordell, Barbara, and Jane Buckle.) • more than two authors: reverse the name of the first author, follow with a comma and et al. (example: Browne, Charlene, et al.) |
| Title of Source. | • Put name of source in italics. • HOWEVER, if citing an article or only part of the source, instead put that title in quotation marks with no italics: “Article Name.” |
|
Title of Container, |
• When the source is part of a larger whole, the larger whole can be thought of as a container (example: a whole book is a container for a book chapter) • Put the title of the container in italics (if you have cited an article or part of the whole source container) |
| Contributors, | Example: edited by, |
| Version, | Example: 7th ed., |
| Number, | Any numbered sequence. Example: vol. 3, no. 7 |
| Publisher, | (however, no publisher is required for articles) |
| Publication date, | date as given on source but following this date style: 28 Jan. 2020, |
| Location. |
• Example of website: www.cnn.com (do not include http:// in the URL) |
