The basics of MLA
Learn the basics of MLA referencing. Format in-text citations and reference lists correctly to cite sources and support your academic writing.
MLA is an author-page’ in-text style which consists of two components: an in-text citation and a full reference.
In-text citations
A brief in-text citation usually appears in brackets after a quotation or paraphrased text. The in-text citation includes the author’s surname and the page number for the source.
Learn more about how to format in-text citations.
Full reference
Each source cited in the text has a corresponding full reference entry which appears in the alphabetical Works Cited list at the end of the piece of work.
Each reference contains the information needed to identify and locate the source.
The rules of APA 7th determine the order in which these elements appear, as well as the punctuation and use of capital letters and italicised font.
Learn more about how to format a full reference.
Works Cited list
Your reference list should include an entry for every source you have cited in the text. Each entry in the Works Cited list should contain enough identifying detail to allow your reader to locate the source.
Learn how to arrange and format your Works Cited list.