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MLA Citation Guide: Articles

This guide is intended to help you cite your sources in the Modern Language Association's style. It covers citing within the text and the references section.

Information Needed

  • Author
  • Article Title
  • Periodical Title (magazine, journal, or newspaper)
  • Volume
  • Issue (for journals and a few magazines)
  • Date (see format for type of source)
  • Pages

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Journal Articles, Electronic & Print

Electronic Journal Articles

Author. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume.Issue (Year): Pages. Web. Date of access.

Butler, Darrell L., and Martin Sellbom. "Barriers to Adopting Technology for Teaching and Learning." Educause Quarterly 25.2 (2002): 22-28. Web. 3 Aug. 2002.

Paper Journal Articles

Author. "Article Title." Journal Title Volume.Issue (Year): Pages. Paper.

Smith, James, and Geneva Monroe. "Comparison of Shakespeare and Nathaniel Hawthorne in Feminist Literature." Journal of Women's Studies 55.2 (2000): 4-20. Print.

Journal Articles with 3 or More Authors

1st Author et al. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume.Issue (Year): Pages. Format. Date of Access if Electronic.

Campbell, Karen et al. "Utilizing a Minority Language to Develop Brand Identity: An Evaluation of Current Practice Using the Irish Language." Irish Marketing Review 20.1 (2009): 67-72. Web. 17 July, 2012.

Magazine Articles, Electronic & Print

Electronic Magazine Article

Author. "Article Title." Magazine Title. Sponsor of the Online Magazine, Date of Issue. Web. Date of Access.

Tyre, Peg. "Standardized Tests in College?" Newsweek. Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2007. Web. 20 May 2009.
 

Print Magazine Article

Author. "Article Title." Magazine Title. Date: Pages. Print.

Murphy, Cullen. "Women and the Bible." Atlantic Monthly Aug. 1993: 39-64. Print.

 

Magazine article with no author

"Article Title." Magazine Title. Date: Pages. Print.

"The Decade of the Spy." Newsweek 7 Mar. 1994: 26-27. Print.

 

Note about dates

If a magazine is published every one or two weeks, use Day Month Year for the date.

If a magazine is published every month or two months, use Month Year.

In no circumstances use a volume and issue number for magazines.

Newspaper Articles, Electronic & Print

Electronic Newspaper Articles from a Database

Author. "Article Title." Newpaper Title date, Edition Name: page. Database. Web. Date of Access.

Mooney, Jake. "Women, Haircuts and the Price f Self-Esteem." New York Times 15 Feb. 2009, late ed.: A1. LexisNexis. Web. 19 Oct. 2009.

 

Electronic News Article

Author. "Article Title." Online News Source Title Sponsor, Date. Web. Date of Access.

Desjardins, Lisa. "The War Over Coal is Personal." CNN.com. Cable News Network, 17 July 2012. Web. 17 July 2012.

 

Print Newspaper Articles

Author. "Article Title." Newpaper Title date, Edition Name: page. Paper.

Trachtenberg, Jeffrey A. "What's in a Movie Soundtrack? Catchy Tunes and Big Business." Wall Street Journal 1 Apr. 1994: B1+. Print.

 

Newspaper Article Without an Author

"Article Title." Newpaper Title date, Edition Name: page. Paper.

"Should You Sacrifice Love for Work?" CNN.com. Cable News Network, 22 Oct. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2009.

Print Guides

Citing Items Without an Author

If an article, book or other resource does not have an identifiable author, move the title to the first element and keep everything else in the same place.

APA Book:

Title. Date. Place of Publication: Publisher.

MLA Book:

Title. Place of Publication: Publisher. Date. Format.

Chicago Author-Date Book:

Title. Year. Place of Publication: Publisher.

Citing Items Without a Date

If a publication does not have a date, use the abbreviation n.d. for no date.