Title: How to Reference a Website in a Research Paper MLA

In the vast expanse of research and academic writing, mastering the art of referencing is crucial for
scholars and students alike. Among the various referencing styles, the Modern Language Association
(MLA) format is one of the most commonly used, especially in the humanities. When it comes to
citing websites in your research paper, the MLA format provides a structured method to ensure
clarity, consistency, and to avoid plagiarism. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to reference a
website in your research paper using MLA format.

Understanding MLA Format

The MLA format is a citation style developed by the Modern Language Association. It's widely used
in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. MLA style emphasizes the authorship and
currency of your sources, making it ideal for citing contemporary sources such as websites.

Steps to Reference a Website in MLA Format

1. Basic Format

The general format for citing a website in MLA style is as follows:

Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of the Web Page.” Title of the Website, Publisher, Date of
publication, URL.

Note: If any of the above information is not available, you may omit it. However, the URL is always
required in a web citation.

2. Author Information

Start with the author's name, if available. List the last name followed by a comma and the first name.
If there is no author, start with the title of the page or article.

3. Title of the Web Page

Next, include the title of the web page. Place the title in quotation marks and follow it with a period.

4. Title of the Website

After the page title, state the name of the website. It should be italicized followed by a comma.

5. Publisher Information

If the publisher of the site is different from the name of the website, include this after the title of the
website. If the publisher’s name is the same as the website name, or if no publisher is available, omit
this part.

6. Date of Publication

Include the date the web page was published or last updated. Write the date in the day-month-year
format followed by a comma.

7. URL
Conclude with the URL of the web page. Ensure the URL is active and accurate. Do not include the
"https://" part of the URL.

Example of a Website Citation in MLA Format

Doe, John. “The Impact of Social Media on Society.” Social Media Today, Social Media Inc., 5 June
2023, www.socialmediatoday.com/impact-of-social-media.

Tips for Effective Citation

Always verify the credibility of your sources before citing them.
Double-check for accuracy in your citations to maintain the integrity of your work.
Use a citation generator or seek professional assistance for complex sources.

When to Seek Professional Help

Referencing can be a meticulous and time-consuming task, particularly when dealing with a
multitude of sources or if you’re unfamiliar with the MLA format. For students facing deadlines or
those who find the details of MLA citation challenging, seeking professional assistance can be a
practical solution. Platforms like ⇒ BuyPapers.club ⇔ specialize in offering expert guidance and
services for academic writing and referencing, ensuring your research paper meets the highest
standards of academic integrity.

In conclusion, accurately citing websites in MLA format is essential for any research paper in the
humanities. By following the outlined steps and paying close attention to the details of your sources,
you can enhance the credibility and authenticity of your academic work. For those who find this
process daunting, remember that professional resources are available to assist you in achieving
excellence in your academic endeavors.
This uniform, or consistent, method to developing a paper or assignment allows for easy reading.
After this, in quotations, you should enter the full text of the tweet, including any hashtags. All of
the information, however, is based on the MLA Handbook, Ninth Edition as well as the MLA
website, and is presented as guidance for students writing in this style. Try modifying the sentence
so that the number, or number word, is found elsewhere. In quotations, list the title or caption of the
post, if it is given. To create a page header, insert page numbers flush right. However, you should
study various citing styles and research well before producing any other piece of academic writing.
These other styles—including APA, Chicago, and Harvard—are accessible for anyone with an
EasyBib Plus subscription. And identifying what to include in each field in the template requires an
understanding of the source and its unique qualities. Just follow your style guide, and you’ll never
go wrong. Are you looking for useful GDPR document templates to make you compliant. Project
MUSE This link opens in a new window Subject: Art, Language, Literature, Communication, Music
Full-text peer-reviewed journal articles in literature and criticism, visual and performing arts, history,
political science, cultural studies, and related disciplines from 1990-current. This image is not
licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted
to the wikiHow website. Should you choose to add this optional information, you may list it after
the URL in the following manner. Purdue OWL: MLA General Format Click the link above for
further information on general formatting using MLA style. In turn, the in-text citations for websites
may vary from the traditional author-page style to compensate for the lack of page numbers.
Parenthetical citations for direct quotations do not go inside the quotation marks. Get started Related
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from our English co-author, like how to cite a website in Chicago style, scroll down. Spelling out
abbreviations into their full words and meanings is recommended. You'll often find it in the header of
the website, at the top of every page. If the image is not discussed further in the rest of the paper or
project, it is acceptable to include the MLA bibliography format citation below the image and omit it
from the bibliography or MLA format works cited page. Divide them by the authors last names or by
source name. Some of his most popular tragedies include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth,
Othello, Julius Caesar, and King Lear. Capitalize the words excluding articles prepositions and
conjunctions when you write the name of sources. It comes in Microsoft Office format, is ready to be
tailored to your personal needs. If you need to include an identifier for a quote, you include the
paragraph number or section. Research surveyed research on the cell phone issue as of and concluded
that there is “no nationally-accredited document to prove the connection between mobile phone use
and traffic accidents.” Because research results have been so inconclusive, it makes sense to wait
before passing laws that might well be unnecessary. Do not use ivory, off-white, or any other shades
or colors. If the name of the publisher differs from the name of the website, include it after the title.
As a result, illustrations of the on how to cite MLA website are provided below: General
Forma:Author’s name. “Title of the Webpage.” Website Name. Publisher’s name, publication date,
URL. You’ll find in-depth guidelines, examples, and visual samples to help you easily format your
paper. If the web page has an individual author listed, type that author's last name first, followed by a
comma, then their first name. This image is not licensed under the Creative Commons license applied
to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Paraphrased information uses
the same MLA reference format as stated in the section directly above this one. Review all proper
names, places, and other unique words to ensure correct spelling. For the website used in the
example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows. Follow the description with the
name of the website. However, you should try to include as much information as possible, such as
the name of the writer, the year the writing was written, or the name of the source the quote was
taken from. Do not simply substitute words in the original text with synonyms. That’s plagiarism!
Show off and demonstrate your ability to process the original information, connect it to the content
in your paper, and write it in your own individual and unique writing style. Many source types, such
as books and articles, use fonts that are easy to read, so if you’re seeking an appropriate font style,
look at other sources for guidance. Also, check out the EasyBib MLA Annotated Bibliography
Guide. I've been trying to help my son with proper citations, and I'm not currently familiar with
MLA guidelines, so this was an absolute lifesaver. Article title. Magazine Title, pp. xx-xx. Rosenberg,
G. (1997, March 31). An electronic discovery proves an effective legal weapon.The New York Times,
p. D5. Website: Author, A.A. (Year, Month Date of Publication). Staples work best, and binder and
paper clips are the next best option. Those studying the humanities, including fields in language
literature, will typically follow MLA format when structuring their papers as well as when
documenting sources. Luckily, we have the Twitter profiles of today’s great minds at our fingertips.
Cats Who Sleep, edited by John Jacobs and Joseph George, The Cat Institute. Gale Literary Portal
(Artemis) This link opens in a new window Subject: Literature Searches Literature Criticism Online,
Gale Virtual Reference Library, Dictionary of Literary Biography, and Contemporary Authors. If it
isn’t already right-aligned, go to the “Home” menu and right-align your name. How to Cite a
Research Paper in MLA Format The following are formats to follow in citing research paper in MLA
format: Book: Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher City: Publisher Name, Year Published.
Medium. Example: Smith, John. If you’re having difficulty understanding the information, take a
few minutes to read up on tricky words and background information. Year of Publication. Title.
Country of Publisher: Publisher. Example: Smith, John. “Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.” Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, February 2, 2009. Website: Last Name, First Name. “Page Title.” Website Title. Web
Address (retrieved Date Accessed). Just as a reminder, the nine core elements include. For the tweet
used in the example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows. And remember, when it
comes to social media citations, ask your instructor first. Check the page settings section of the
program to locate the margin size. Align the title so it sits in the center of the MLA format paper.
For example, when listing education on resume you don't need any citations. Basically, people write
the author’s last name followed by a comma and the other names of the author. Example: Geary,
Rachel. 2012. “The Issue with Mastery Learning.” New York Times, April 2002. Pp. 15-23. Website:
Author’s Last and First Name. The publisher, Twitter, is then listed in italics, followed by the date
the tweet was posted in day, month, year format. Do NOT underline, bold, or type the title in all
capital letters. Besides, there is no special formatting for government sources on how to cite MLA
website. However, there are cases in citing a website where the author may choose to cite an entire
website instead of a webpage. Title of Book. Publisher City: Publisher Name, Year Published. If a
stapler is not available, some instructors allow paper or binder clips. Webpages typically lack page
numbers, which causes the parenthetical citation to lack a crucial component. For the website used in
the example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows. Website: Last Name, First
Name. “Page Title.” Website Title. Web Address (retrieved Date Accessed). Normally, with a book
source, you use the author's name and page number. The basic citation rules are as follows: 1 The
appropriateness and validity of the inclusion of quotations and your own text, the precise definition
of their number and boundaries; 2 There should be no duplication of the main text of the work; 3
Authors should be quoted directly according to their works; 4 Exact correspondence to the source,
without distortion and omissions, changing the meaning, spelling, and punctuation. When no author
is listed, you may omit the author information from the MLA citation for the website and begin,
instead, with the title ( Handbook 108). If you do abbreviate, be sure you are using commonly
accepted abbreviations, which you can find in the dictionary. Michelle Golden is an English teacher
in Athens, Georgia. Since websites don't have page numbers, simply include the author's last name in
the parenthetical, or the title of the web page if there is no author. Please log in with your username
or email to continue. If the website has a separate publisher, include this next. In this guide you’ll
find further information including directions for the use of quotes without an author, page numbers,
and how to properly credit work from electronic sources. The templates for an in-text citation and
works-cited-list entry of a website that has no page number, along with examples, are given below.
This is not true. ALWAYS CITE in the following cases. While older editions of the MLA Handbook
required the place of publication, that is not included in the 8th edition for the most part. How to
Cite a Research Paper in Chicago Style The following are Chicago style formats to follow: Book:
Last Name, First Name. Example: Morrison 2011:23 explains that 'a simple questionnaire can reveal a
lot about what your customers think' when evaluating performance. If you are having trouble
referencing your gathered information, head on over to our paper writing service and you will get
help with your research paper. If you are using mobile phone, you could also use menu drawer from
browser. Please use a different browser, like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. If your teacher has asked
you to cite your sources in this format, these elements will form the foundation for each MLA
website citation included in your MLA Works Cited list, as well as the entries for sources in any
other format.
Times New Roman and Arial are recommended, but many other fonts work as well. If you find other
people who contributed to the website besides the main editor, you can include it after the name of
the website. Paper writers can also use paraphrases to demonstrate their ability to analyze and
reiterate information in a meaningful and relevant way. Here are some examples of ways you can
cite various social media platforms in your work. You can also review Appendix 1 in the MLA
Handbook. If the whole site was put together by one person, you can use that person's name. Any
other contributors (such as the photographer, if it is not the same as the account holder) are then
listed, after which you will add the date the photo was published and the URL. The title of the web
page or article is placed in quotation marks, with a period before the end quotation. For the website
used in the example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows. In addition to the
supplemental details discussed below, a list of additional supplemental components can be found on
the MLA website. Place a parenthetical at the end of your quotation that includes the first element of
your Works Cited entry for that source, followed by the page number (if the source is paginated).
The first name should be formatted in reverse order as was done for a single author. For the detailed
information about ASA elements of style, visit the American Sociological Association official
website or read our Guide to ASA Citation and Writing Style. Unless the website includes numbered
paragraphs or sections, you should not include any additional information. This will usually be the
case if you're citing a PDF document that appears on a website. When citing a website, the title of
the webpage or article is placed in quotation marks, with a period before the end quotation. For the
Instagram post used in the example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows. Please log
in with your username or email to continue. If you’re wondering why, it’s because they’re cited often
and it’s unnecessary to type out the entire title names. Use your notes from throughout the semester,
use other outside sources. Example: Finney, J. (1970). Time and again. New York, NY: Simon and
Schuster. The website name is usually found at the top of any of the website's pages, in the website's
main header. Finally, include a URL to the tweet followed by a period. In this guide you’ll find
further information including directions for the use of quotes without an author, page numbers, and
how to properly credit work from electronic sources. Unless the website includes numbered
paragraphs or sections, you should not include any additional information. Michelle Golden is an
English teacher in Athens, Georgia. Reference listPlace this part in your bibliography or reference list
at the end of your assignment. If there is no title or caption, write a brief description of the post, but
do not place it in italics or quotation marks. Publication Date: Page Numbers. Medium. Example:
Smith, John. “Obama inaugurated as President.” CNN.com. Cable News Network, 21 Jan. 2009.
Web. 1 Feb. 2009. Read more about HOW TO CITE A RESEARCH PAPER USING MLA
FORMAT Research Paper in Chicago Style The Chicago style of citing is commonly used in
humanities. Example: Character Development in The Great Gatsby.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style has different citation formats for various sources.
Unless the website includes numbered paragraphs or sections, you should not include any additional
information. Project MUSE This link opens in a new window Subject: Art, Language, Literature,
Communication, Music Full-text peer-reviewed journal articles in literature and criticism, visual and
performing arts, history, political science, cultural studies, and related disciplines from 1990-current.
Be sure to double-check with your instructor first, but the basic format for a social media citation in
MLA is pretty simple. The Title of work. Publisher City, State: Publisher. If you’re creating a
reference for a chapter in a book, the title of the chapter is the title of the source, and the container is
the title of the book. Look at our movie review example at our cheap research paper writing service
and try to determine what format it is written in. Our MLA Research Paper template has everything
you need to get started. This section focuses on the type of paper to use for printed submission. Did
you create an in-text citation for each individual piece of information. Use title case, capitalizing the
first word and all nouns, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, and verbs. We provide this standardized
MLA Style Format with all the information you know on how to format the document according to
the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, with text and formatting as a starting point to help
professionalize the way you are communicating on paper. Make sure that italics look different from
the regular typeface; Use 12 point size; Double space the entire research paper, even the works cited
page; Leave one space after periods and other punctuation marks, unless your instructor tells you to
leave two spaces; These guidelines come from the MLA Style Center’s web page “Formatting a
Research Paper.”. Sample: MLA Research Paper. For the tweet used in the example above, the in-text
citation would be written as follows. For the website used in the example above, the in-text citation
would be written as follows. This citation provides the author with an avenue to express
accountability and credibility to related literature or references used in written material. As always, if
your instructor provides you with specific directions, follow his or her guidelines. For example,
Times New Roman font set to 12 points. The first table seen in the project is labeled as Table 1. If
you do not find the exact resolution you are looking for, then go for a native or higher resolution.
Cite sources in different parts of your research paper. Place a parenthetical at the end of your
quotation that includes the first element of your Works Cited entry for that source, followed by the
page number (if the source is paginated). If the website has a separate publisher, include this next.
Here’s a breakdown of the words that should be excluded. Using those two films, discuss their
similarities and differences. The title of the website is the main name given to the website. Only
italicize words that would normally be italicized in the text. When it comes to a website, it can be
difficult to find an author for the whole website. Luckily, we have the Twitter profiles of today’s
great minds at our fingertips. Here are some examples of ways you can cite various social media
platforms in your work.
For the website used in the example above, the in-text citation would be written as follows.
Scientists regularly need advanced templates, forms, spreadsheets, and often more than any other
industry. There’s also resources on other styles, like our guide on “ APA reference page ”, otherwise
known as a “References” page. When you have finished it, be prepared for possible criticism. Learn
four common tools that will make citing resources much easier. The templates for an in-text citation
and works-cited-list entry of a website that has no page number, along with examples, are given
below. Newspaper: Author, A.A. (Year, Month Date of Publication). Whether you include a URL,
permalink, or DOI, this information should be included in the location portion of your citation.
Example: James, Henry. 2003. The Turn of the Screw. Direct quotes provide word-for-word evidence
and allow writers to use another author’s eloquent words and language in their own projects. This
element serves both to give credit to the researchers and authors whose work informed yours, as well
as to preserve academic integrity. The website name is usually found at the top of any of the
website's pages, in the website's main header. When you are citing a source with two different
authors feel free to mention them both. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in
2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. All these compliance
documents will be available to download instantly. Although we’re not affiliated with the MLA, our
citation specialists bring you this thoughtful and informative guide on the format. For example,
Times New Roman font set to 12 points. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to
Mr. This issue remains a crucial field of investigation for ages. Break down how to cite full websites,
online articles, blog posts, Facebook posts, tweets, and videos for your APA paper on gene therapy.
Sources those are there in the main content as an in-text citation or as footnotes should be there in
the reference list. Try it now and let this scientific template inspire you. Above the data set, include
the label “Table” with an Arabic numeral, and title it. However remember that only a peer-reviewed
academic article should be included in a paper. If any entry runs over more than a line, indent the
subsequent line(s) 0.5 inch from the left margin. How to Cite References, Information, Sources in an
Essay. Also make sure commas, hyphens, colons, and other punctuation marks are placed in the
appropriate places. Immediately following the publisher is the date that the page or article was
published or posted. The title of the website is written in italics followed by a comma. Et al is the
abbreviation for et alia, a gender-neutral Latin phrase meaning “and others.”. Firstly, the model used
in developing for websites has three fundamental components: the author’s name, the title of the
source, and publication information.
The publisher, Instagram, is then listed in italics. Example: An Analysis of Mythical Creatures in
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The page could easily unfold, causing a mess of papers. I've
been trying to help my son with proper citations, and I'm not currently familiar with MLA
guidelines, so this was an absolute lifesaver. If it doesn't, use the name of the business, organization,
or government agency that produces the website. If your instructor does not provide you with any
expectations or guidance, a simple staple in the top left corner should suffice. Whether it's Windows,
Mac, iOs or Android, you will be able to download the images using download button. If you’re still
not sure if your project contains proper spelling, ask a friend to read through it. The parentheses
indicate to your reader that you are opening a citation. Take a moment to think about what you’ve
read and connect the idea to your own assignment. Webpages typically lack page numbers, which
causes the parenthetical citation to lack a crucial component. When it comes to a site, students
become a little confused about what exactly they have to provide. Only italicize words that would
normally be italicized in the text. When no author is listed, you may omit the author information
from the MLA citation for the website and begin, instead, with the title ( Handbook 108). Example:
Geary, Rachel. 2012. “The Issue with Mastery Learning.” New York Times, April 2002. Pp. 15-23.
Website: Author’s Last and First Name. Check out our collection of this newly updated IT Security
Kit Standard templates, including policies, controls, processes, checklists, procedures and other
documents. The title of the web page or article is placed in quotation marks, with a period before the
end quotation. While you may still find it useful to include this information or your teacher may
request it, it is no longer a mandatory piece of your citation. Break down how to cite full websites,
online articles, blog posts, Facebook posts, tweets, and videos for your APA paper on gene therapy.
In these cases, you can assume that the publisher also authored the web page (like the example
above). Finally, end with the URL, permalink, or DOI, followed by a period. If you choose to create
a title page, keep in mind that there aren’t any official title page or cover page guidelines in MLA
format. What Is A Citation Research Skills Tutorial Libguides At Empire State College Some
students think that its important to use citing for the body part only. The entire paper should be
double spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides. Finally, end with the URL, permalink, or DOI,
followed by a period. These other styles—including APA, Chicago, and Harvard—are accessible for
anyone with an EasyBib Plus subscription. A good example of such quote may be a book by Chan
published in 2002. Newspaper: Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Newspaper Name,
Publication Date. If the specific web page has a title, type it after the author's name. If the caption
below the sheet music includes enough information about the source, it is not necessary to include
the full reference at the end of the assignment.