MLA Documentation of Internet Resources
The MLA citation for a document obtained
over the Internet will be similar in format to a print document. Some
information will be added and some omitted. Audio files, video files and
graphic images have become increasingly available on the Internet and can be
imported into electronic presentations/reports such as PowerPoint. These sites
also need to be documented. You should include as many of the following
available elements in the order given. For some sites, you may only have a
title, date of access and address to cite.
1. The author's name, last name first; or the corporate
author, if available.
2. The title of the Web page, in quotation marks if part
of a website or the title of the website in italics if the entire site was
used. Note: A Web page is defined as a single page of data within a website.
Make sure to differentiate the two when citing them. Web pages must be placed
in quotes; websites must be italicized.
3. Publication information that might be available for a
print or original version of the site, like the name of a periodical,
italicized.
4. The date of publication, if available.
5. Pagination information. More often than not, this
will not be available for websites. If the document numbers its paragraphs,
cite the relevant numbers. For example: 16 pars.
6. The name of any institution or organization
sponsoring or associated with the website, if available.
7. The medium of publication (Web).
8. The date you accessed the site, expressed as day
month year.
9. The Works Cited page is double-spaced. Each citation
is formatted using a "hanging indent," meaning all lines except the
first one are indented from the left margin.
Web Resources
The following examples illustrate how to create MLA citations for online resources.
All information in red is meant to offer explanation and should not be included in your own references.
American Psychological Association. "Violence on Television: What Do Children Learn? What Can Parents Do?" APA Online. 2004. Web. 22 May 2008.
(Corporate Author) (Title of Webpage) (Title of Website) (Date of Publication, Medium of Access, Date of Access)
In-text parenthetical
documentation: The following are common ways to construct in-text
parenthetical documentation. Many electronic sources do not contain page numbers. In this case, you would use the abbreviation n. pag. (without the italics). If the paragraphs, lines, or stanzas are numbered, use this number in parenthetical citations. You may also indicate in the text of your writing where you found the information. For example, the last third of the article or under the heading xyz...
1. Placing the author's name and page
number in parentheses:
Studies are proving that violence in the
media is becoming a larger issue for our children than it was for us (American
Psychological Association, p. 15).
2. Placing the author's name in the sentence and
page/paragraph number in parentheses:
The American Psychological Association (p.
15) stated that studies are showing that violence in the media is becoming
a larger issue for our children than it was for us.
3. You can use a direct quote, placing the
author's name in the sentence and the page/paragraph number in parentheses:
"Violence on television is a crucial
issue in
Images, Audiovisual and Graphical Resources
The following MLA reference is to a typical image that might be used in a PowerPoint presentation or as a visual aid in a speech. The MLA has not issued an official format to follow for Internet audiovisual sources; this example is as similar as possible to the original source format with the addition of the Internet information. For more specific information, consult the MLA Handbook of Writers of Research Papers, seventh edition, or talk to a librarian.
Aubrey, Charles. Still Life with Dahlias. 1864. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Web. 4 Mar. 2011.
(Author) (Title of artwork) (Year Made) (Name of Website) (Medium of Access) (Date of Access)
In-text parenthetical documentation:
The following is an example of in-text
parenthetical documentation for the above corresponding citation:
Regardless of gender, the likelihood of
violent behavior as an adult has been shown to be greater for people who were
heavy television viewers as children (U-M Institute for Social Research).
Personal Communications
Personal communications, including e-mail
and postings to blogs, are listed in the Works Cited list. Use the following
formats:
E-mail Message
DeLisle, Judi. "MLA Documentation." Message to Denise English and Christal Wood. 16 June 2009. E-mail.
Message Posted to a Blog
Grohol, John M. "Surprise TV Violence isn't Portrayed Accurately." World of Psychology Blog. PsychCentral. 20 May 2009. Web 4 June 2009.
7F: MLA Documentation of Library-based Electronic Resource
MLA Documentation of
Library-based Electronic Resource
The citation for a full-text periodical
article obtained from such library-based electronic databases as Academic Search Complete will be similar
in format to a comparable one from a print source with some information added
and some omitted. You should include as many of the following elements in the
order listed. For further documentation
consult the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers or ask a librarian. Note: The seventh edition of the MLA Handbook
does not require a URL unless finding the article would be very difficult
without it, or your instructor requires one.
1. The author's name, last name first; or the corporate
author, if available.
2. The title of the article in quotation marks.
3. The name of the periodical, italicized.
4. Depending on the type of periodical, the date or
volume number or date only of the periodical.
5. Inclusive pages, if given. The example given includes
pagination.
6. The name of the database, in italics.
7. The medium use to access the database, such as Web.
8. The date you accessed the site expressed as day month
year.
9. The Works Cited list is double-spaced. Each citation
is formatted using a hanging indent, meaning all lines except the first one are
indented from the left margin.
Periodical Articles
The following MLA reference is typical of
the type of full-text periodical article on television violence that can be
found through library-based electronic databases available in many Florida
community college libraries.
Periodical Article from a Library Database
Potter, W. James and Stacy Smith. "The Context of Graphic Portrayals of Television Violence." Journal of Broadcast & Electronic Media 44(Spring 2000): 301-323.
(Authors (1st name inverted, the rest are not)) (Article Title) (Journal Name) (Volume, Publication Date, Page Numbers)
Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 17 June 2009.
(Database Name) (Medium of Access) (Date of Access)
In-text parenthetical documentation:
The following are common ways to construct
in-text parenthetical documentation.
1) Documenting a direct quote, placing the
author's name in parentheses:
"Native American writers had a profound
effect on American Literature" (Beidler).
2) Documenting a direct quote, using the
author's name in the sentence:
Beidler stated that "Native American
writers had a profound effect on American Literature."
3) Paraphrasing a quote, placing the
author's name in parentheses:
American Literature was greatly influenced
by Native American writers. (Beidler).
eBooks
The citation for an ebook obtained from a
library-based electronic database such as netLibrary will be similar in format
to a print book citation with some additional elements added. Include as many
of the following available elements in the order listed.
1. The author(s) last name followed by the first name.
2. The title of the book, in italics. If you use just
one chapter from a book, include that, in quotation marks, before the title.
After the title of the book, include the editor(s).
3. The place of publication, publisher and date. If you
use just one chapter from a book, include the pages of the chapter after the
date of publication. If the page
information is not available, use N. pag.
4. The title of the database, in italics.
5. The medium of publication (Web.)
6. The date you accessed the site expressed as date,
month, year.
7. The Works Cited list is double-spaced. Each citation
is formatted using a hanging indent, meaning all lines except the first one are
indented from the left margin.
Chapter
from an eBook
McCadden, Brian M. "Why is Michael Always Getting Timed Out? Race, Class, and Disciplining of Other People's Children." Classroom Discipline in American
(Author) (Chapter Title) (Name of Book)
Schools: Problems and Possibilities for Democratic Education. Ed. Ronald E. Butchart and Barbara McEwan. Albany: State University of New York Press,
(Editors, when listed) (Publisher)
1998. 109-131. NetLibrary. Web. 9 May 2009.
(Publication Year, Page Numbers, Database, Medium of Access, and Date of Access)
In-text parenthetical documentation:
1) "Engaging in open dialogue with
kindergarteners poses management and disciplinary threats " (McCadden
130).
2) McCadden indicated that "engaging in
open dialogue with kindergarteners poses management and disciplinary
threats" (130).
3) Open discussions with kindergarteners may
present authority-related challenges in the classroom (McCadden 130).
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Copyright © 1997-2009 Florida Community College, Learning Resources Standing Committee. Last revised May 2009 by the LIS 2004 Course Revision Committee.