Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting: List of Works Cited

Summary

This vidcast, created by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley in collaboration with the Purdue Online Writing Lab, offers a comprehensive guide to MLA citation for academic papers. It covers the formatting of a 'Works Cited' page, including layout, line spacing, and indentation. The seventh edition of the MLA manual is referenced, emphasizing the need to follow instructor-specific guidelines. The script details how to cite various sources like books, journals, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites, and explains the changes in the latest MLA style, such as the omission of URLs for web entries and the correct capitalization and italicization of titles. It also addresses how to handle entries with multiple authors or unknown authors, and provides tips for citing articles from scholarly journals and entries in reference books.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video provides a guide on formatting a list of works cited following MLA style, specifically using the seventh edition of the MLA manual.
• 👩‍🏫 It's important to follow your instructor's guidelines for MLA citation, as they may have specific requirements.
• 📚 The video covers MLA citation for various source types including books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites.
• 🖥️ The demonstration uses Microsoft Word 2007 to show how to format citations correctly.
• 📄 The 'Works Cited' page should be on a separate page at the end of the research paper, with the same margins and header as the rest of the document.
• 🔍 The 'Works Cited' title should be centered at the top of the page without italics or quotation marks.
• 📝 All citations should be double-spaced and have a hanging indent, with the first line aligned to the left margin and subsequent lines indented.
• 📘 The medium of publication must be determined for every entry, with common options being print, web, film, CD-ROM, or DVD.
• 🔗 URLs for web entries are no longer required unless specified by the instructor or publisher.
• 📰 For citing articles from print publications retrieved from an online database, the database name should be italicized without subscription information.
• 🎓 Capitalization rules have changed; every word in titles is capitalized except for articles, prepositions, or conjunctions unless they are the first word of the title or subtitle.
• 📚 Italics are used for titles of larger works like books or magazines, while quotation marks are for shorter works like articles or poems.
• 👤 Entries are listed alphabetically by the author's or editor's last name, with author names written last name first and without titles but including suffixes.
• 🔄 If multiple works by the same author are cited, they are ordered alphabetically by title, with subsequent entries using three hyphens in place of the author's name.
• 📚 The citation format for basic sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, encyclopedias, and websites is detailed, including how to list authors, titles, publication information, and media type.
• ❗ For web pages, include as much information as possible, using abbreviations like 'n.p.' for no publisher and 'n.d.' for no date if necessary.
• 🔍 Additional resources for MLA citation are available through the links provided in the video description.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the vidcast presented by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley?

The purpose of the vidcast is to guide viewers on how to format a list of works cited following the MLA style, specifically using the seventh edition of the MLA manual.

Who should I follow for guidelines on MLA citation: the vidcast or my instructor?

Always follow your instructor's guidelines, as they may have specific requirements that differ from what is presented in the vidcast.

What types of sources are covered in the vidcast for MLA citation?

The vidcast covers MLA citation for books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites.

What software is used for the demonstration of MLA formatting in the vidcast?

Microsoft Word 2007 is used for the demonstration of MLA formatting in the vidcast.

How should the Works Cited page be formatted according to the script?

The Works Cited page should be on a separate page at the end of the research paper, with 1-inch margins and a header. It should be labeled 'Works Cited' without italics or quotation marks, centered at the top, and double-spaced with a hanging indent.

How do you create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word as described in the vidcast?

To create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word, open the 'Paragraph' menu, go to 'Indentation' under 'Special', and select 'Hanging'.

What is the correct way to list page numbers in MLA style according to the vidcast?

Page numbers should be listed concisely. For example, if a journal article appeared on pages 225-250, it should be listed as 225-50; for pages 174-212, it should be listed as 174-212.

What are some of the basic changes introduced in the seventh edition of the MLA style guide?

Some changes include determining the medium of publication for every entry, no longer requiring URLs for web entries (unless specified by the instructor or publisher), and breaking lines only at slashes.

How should the titles of articles, books, and other works be formatted in MLA citations?

Each word in the titles should be capitalized, except for articles, prepositions, or conjunctions unless they are the first word of the title or subtitle. Titles of larger works should be in italics, while shorter works should be in quotation marks.

What should be done if a work has no known author in MLA citations?

If a work has no known author, it should be alphabetized by its title in the Works Cited list.

How are citations for an entire website different from citations for an individual page on a website in MLA style?

When citing an entire website, list the editor, author, or compiler name, the site's name in italics, the version number, the institutional organization, the date of resource creation, the medium of publication, and the date of access. For an individual page, include the author or alias and the information for the entire website, with additional details specific to the page if available.

What is the significance of the 'Works Cited' heading in MLA style?

The 'Works Cited' heading is significant as it serves as the title for the page that lists all the sources cited in the research paper, and it should be centered at the top without italics or quotation marks.

How should multiple works by the same author be ordered in the Works Cited list?

Multiple works by the same author should be ordered alphabetically by title, and for every entry after the first, use three hyphens (---) in place of the author's name.

What are some of the common types of sources that are cited differently in MLA style?

Some common types of sources that are cited differently in MLA style include books with more than one author, translations, editions, anthologies, magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, and encyclopedia entries.

Why are URLs no longer required for web entries in MLA citations according to the seventh edition?

URLs are no longer required for web entries in the seventh edition of the MLA style guide because many URLs are not stable and can change, making them less reliable for citation purposes.

Outlines

00:00

📚 MLA Formatting Basics and Citation Rules

This paragraph introduces the fundamentals of MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting, focusing on the creation of a 'Works Cited' page as per the seventh edition of the MLA manual. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to an instructor's specific guidelines and outlines the basic rules for formatting the 'Works Cited' page, including margins, headers, and labeling. The vidcast, presented by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley in collaboration with the Purdue Online Writing Lab, covers MLA citations for books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites. It also provides a step-by-step guide on how to use Microsoft Word 2007 to format citations, including setting line spacing and creating hanging indents. Additionally, it discusses changes in the seventh edition, such as the requirement to determine the medium of publication and the omission of URLs for web entries, unless required. The paragraph concludes with general rules for capitalization and alphabetization of entries.

05:02

📰 Detailed Citation Formats for Various Source Types in MLA

Paragraph 2 delves into the specifics of citing various types of sources in MLA format. It begins with instructions for citing newspapers, including the addition of city and state for lesser-known publications, and the citation of scholarly journal articles with details on listing authors, article titles, journal titles, volume and issue numbers, publication year, and page numbers. The paragraph continues with guidelines for citing encyclopedia entries and reference books, emphasizing the exclusion of publisher information and the citation of articles without volume or page numbers if the book is alphabetically organized. The paragraph then addresses the citation of web pages and websites, detailing the information that should be included such as author/editor names, article names, website titles, version numbers, posting dates, publisher information, page numbers, and access dates. It also explains how to cite an entire website versus an individual page, noting the inclusion of institutional affiliations and resource creation dates. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to include as much information as possible from the website and to use abbreviations like 'n.p.' for 'no publisher' and 'n.d.' for 'no date' when necessary. It ends by directing viewers to the video description for additional MLA citation resources.

Keywords

💡MLA Formatting

MLA Formatting refers to the set of guidelines and rules established by the Modern Language Association for writing academic papers, particularly in the humanities. It includes instructions on how to cite sources within the text and compile a list of works cited. In the video, MLA Formatting is the main theme as it provides a step-by-step guide on how to format a list of works cited following the MLA style, using the seventh edition of the MLA manual.

💡Works Cited

A 'Works Cited' page is a list of all the sources that were cited in an academic paper following the MLA style. It is a crucial component of any MLA-formatted paper, as it gives credit to the original authors and allows readers to locate and verify the sources used. The script emphasizes the proper formatting of this page, including its placement at the end of the paper, labeling, and organization.

💡Microsoft Word 2007

Microsoft Word 2007 is a version of the widely used word processing software that was released by Microsoft. In the context of the video, it is the software used for the demonstration of how to format the 'Works Cited' page according to MLA style. The script provides specific instructions on how to use Word's features to achieve the required formatting, such as setting line spacing and creating hanging indents.

💡Hanging Indent

A 'hanging indent' is a formatting style where the first line of a paragraph or citation is aligned with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented. The script explains how to create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word as part of the MLA citation format, which is used to distinguish each entry in the 'Works Cited' list and improve readability.

💡Medium of Publication

The 'medium of publication' refers to the format in which a work is published, such as print, web, film, CD-ROM, or DVD. The script highlights that determining the medium is a new requirement in the seventh edition of the MLA style guide, and it influences how each citation is formatted in the 'Works Cited' list.

💡URLs

A 'URL' or Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a webpage on the internet. The script mentions that while URLs are no longer required for web entries in the MLA style, they may be included if specified by an instructor or publisher. URLs are important for citing online sources and providing readers with direct access to the material.

💡Capitalization

Capitalization in MLA style refers to the rules governing the use of capital letters in titles and subtitles of works being cited. The script explains that in MLA style, major words in titles are capitalized, while articles, prepositions, and conjunctions are only capitalized if they are the first word. This rule applies to both book titles and article titles within citations.

💡Italics

In the context of MLA style, 'italics' are used to emphasize certain parts of a citation, such as the titles of books, magazines, and websites. The script provides guidelines on when to use italics, which helps to distinguish between different levels of work titles and to follow the MLA's formatting conventions.

💡Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are used in MLA style to set off shorter works within citations, such as brief poems or articles. The script specifies that titles of shorter works should be enclosed in quotation marks to differentiate them from larger works, which are italicized, thus adhering to the MLA's formatting rules.

💡Alphabetization

Alphabetization is the process of arranging entries in alphabetical order, typically by the author's or editor's last name in MLA style. The script describes how to organize the 'Works Cited' list alphabetically, which is a standard practice to facilitate the location of sources in the list.

💡In-Text Citations

In-text citations are brief references within the body of a paper that indicate where a quote, paraphrase, or summary comes from. The script mentions that while it covers the 'Works Cited' list, information on in-text citations can be found in the video description. In-text citations are essential for giving credit to sources and supporting the writer's arguments.

Highlights

Introduction to MLA Formatting for Works Cited lists.

Use the seventh edition of the MLA manual as a reference.

Follow instructor's guidelines for specific requirements.

Citation types covered: books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites.

Microsoft Word 2007 used for demonstration.

Start Works Cited on a separate page with 1-inch margins and header.

Label the page 'Works Cited' without italics or quotation marks.

Use double spacing for all citations without extra spaces between entries.

Create a hanging indent for each citation.

List page numbers concisely, like 225-50 for a range.

Identify the medium of publication for every entry.

No need to provide URLs for web entries unless required.

Lines should only be broken at slashes (/).

Italicize the online database name if the source is from a database.

Capitalize each word in titles except for certain small words.

Use italics for titles of larger works and quotation marks for shorter works.

List entries alphabetically by author's or editor's last name.

Author names are written last name first with middle initials.

Include suffixes like Jr. but omit titles like Dr. or PhD.

Order works by the same author alphabetically by title and use three hyphens for subsequent entries.

Alphabetize works with no known author by their title.

Cite a book by including author's name, title, city, publisher, year, and medium.

Cite magazines with author's name, article title, periodical title, date, and page numbers.

Cite newspapers similarly to magazines, noting edition if applicable.

Cite journal articles with author's name, article title, journal title, volume, issue, year, pages, and medium.

Cite encyclopedia entries without publisher information and list alphabetically.

For web pages, include author/editor, article name, website title, version, publisher, and access date.

When citing a website, list editor/author/compiler, site name, version, organization, creation date, medium, and access date.

Cite individual web pages with author/alias and additional website information.

Use abbreviations like n.p. for no publisher and n.d. for no date when information is missing.

Conclusion of the vidcast by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Transcripts

MLA Formatting: Lists of Works Cited.

A vidcast brought to you by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley

in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

This vidcast takes you through how to format a list of works cited following MLA style.

We will use the seventh edition of the MLA manual.

Your instructor may have different guidelines for you to follow.

Always follow your instructor's guidelines.

In this vidcast we will cover MLA citation for the following types of sources:

books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and websites.

For information on in-text citations or other kinds of sources

please refer to the links in the video description.

For this demonstration we will use Microsoft Word 2007.

Basic Rules

Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper.

It should have the same 1-inch margins and header (with your last name and page number) as the rest of your paper.

Label the page "Works Cited"

Center the words "Works Cited" at the top of the page, but do not italicize them or put them in quotation marks.

Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries.

To set your line-spacing to double-space

open up the "Paragraph" menu in Microsoft Word.

Change the default line spacing setting from After: 10pt to 0pt.

Then change "Line Spacing" to double.

Each entry should have a hanging indent, which means that the first line of the citation is flush with the left margin

and the second and subsequent lines are indented 5 spaces.

To create a hanging indent, open up the "Paragraph" menu in Microsoft Word.

In the "Indentation" menu under "Special," select "Hanging."

When needed, list the page numbers of sources as concisely as possible.

If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 225-250

list the page numbers on your Works Cited page as 225-50.

If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 174-212

list the page numbers on your Works Cited page as 174-212.

The seventh edition of the MLA style guide includes several basic changes.

For every entry you must determine the medium of publication.

Most entries will likely be listed as print or web sources

but other possibilities may include film, CD-ROM, or DVD.

Writers are no longer required to provide URLs for web entries.

If your instructor or publisher requires them, include them in angle brackets after the entry and end with a period.

Break lines only at slashes ( / ).

If you're citing an article or publication that was originally issued in print form

but that you retrieved from an online database, you should type the online database name in italics.

You do not need to provide subscription information in addition to the database name.

Capitalize each word in the titles of articles, books, etc

but only capitalize articles, prepositions or conjuctions

if one is the first word of the title or subtitle.

Use italics for the titles of larger works, like books or magazines.

and quotation marks for shorter works, like brief poems or articles.

Entries are listed alphabetically by the author's or editor's last name.

Author names are written last name first, with middle initials following the first name.

Do not list titles (such as Dr. or PhD). However, include suffixes (such as Jr.)

If you have cited more than one work by a particular author order the entries alphabetically by title

and use three hyphens (---) in place of the author's name for every entry after the first.

If the work has no known author, alphabetize it by its title.

Citation Format for Basic Sources

To cite a book properly, first include the author's name (last name first) followed by a period (.)

Then place the title of the book in italics, followed by a period.

Next, indicate the city of publication, followed by a colon (:)

Include the publisher, followed by a comma (,) and the year of publication, followed by a period.

Finally, indicate the medium of publication.

Note that there are different guidelines for books with more than one author, translations, editions, and anthologies.

To learn more about citing these sources, please refer to the links in the video description.

Cite magazines by listing the author's name (last name first) followed by a period.

Then include the title of the article in quotation marks (" "), followed by a period.

Italicize the title of the periodical, followed by the day, abbreviated month, and year in which it was published.

After the date, place a colon and include the page numbers of the story, followed by a period.

Finally, indicate the medium of publication, followed by a period.

The citation for newspapers is nearly identical to the citation for magazines.

The only difference is the pagination in the newspaper.

If there is more than one edition available for that date (as in an early and late edition)

identify the edition following the date.

If the newspaper is a less well-known or local publication

include the city name and state in brackets ([ ]) after the title of the newspaper.

To cite an article from a scholarly journal, list the author's name (last name first), followed by a period.

Then include the title of the article in quotation marks, followed by a period.

List the title of the scholarly journal in italics.

Indicate the volume and issue numbers, separated by a period.

Include the year in parentheses ( ), followed by a colon, and the pages of the article, followed by a period.

Finally, indicate the medium of publication, followed by a period.

To cite an entry in an encyclopedia or other reference book, cite the piece as you would any other work in a collection.

Do not include the publisher information.

Also, if the reference book is organized alphabetically do not list the volume or the page number of the article or item.

Include the title of the article in quotation marks, followed by a period.

Then list the title of the reference book in italics, followed by a period.

Indicate the edition and year, followed by a period.

And, finally, indicate the medium of publication, followed by a period.

Not every web page provides detailed information

but in general try to include: author and/or editor names if available

article name (in quotation marks) if available

title of the website, project, or book in italics.

Remember that some print publications have web publications with slightly different names.

They may, for example, include additional information or otherwise modified information like domain names.

Any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers.

publisher information, including the publisher name and publishing date

any page numbers, if available. Many websites do not use page numbers.

Medium of publication, date you accessed the material, and URL if required (or for your own, personal reference).

MLA does not require a URL.

When citing an entire website, list your date of access.

First list the editor, author, or compiler name (if available) followed by a period.

Next, list the name of the site in italics, followed by a period.

List the version number, followed by a period.

Indicate the institutional organization affiliated with the site, followed by a comma.

and the date of resource creation followed by a period.

Indicate the medium of publication, followed by a period.

And, finally, list your date of access, followed by a period.

To cite an individual page on a website, list the author or alias (if known)

followed by the information previously discussed for entire websites.

Since different websites provide different kinds of information

citations for web-based sources can take many different shapes.

Include as much information as you can find on the website itself

If no publisher name is available use n.p.

If no publishing date is available, use n.d.

For more information on MLA citation, please visit the links provided in the video description.

This has been a presentation of MLA formatting and lists of works cited

a vidcast by Beth Jones and Gina Hurley brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab.