I. Introduction
When we conduct research on the internet, we often rely on websites to find information. However, using web sources comes with the responsibility to accurately cite them in our academic writing. That’s where MLA citation comes in. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used referencing system that specifies how to format citations for a variety of sources, including websites. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of correctly citing websites in MLA format, from basic components to real-world examples. By doing this, you can enhance the credibility of your research and avoid plagiarism.
II. Step-by-Step Guide
The basic components of an MLA citation for a website include the author’s name, the title of the web page, the publisher or sponsor of the website, the date on which you accessed the website, and the URL. The general format is:
Author. “Title of the Webpage.” Publisher or Sponsor of the Website, Date of Publication, URL. Date of Access.
Here are step-by-step instructions for citing a website with different types of authors:
Citing a Website with No Author
If the website has no author, start the citation with the title of the webpage. For example:
“Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 22 June 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page. Accessed 27 June 2021.
Citing a Website with One Author
If the website has one author, include their name first, followed by the title of the webpage. For example:
Smith, John. “The History of Mathematics.” Math Is Fun, 2021, www.mathsisfun.com/history/index.html. Accessed 27 June 2021.
Citing a Website with Multiple Authors
If the website has two authors, include both names in your citation, separated by “and.” For example:
Gulliver, Joshua, and Stephen Johnson. “The Future of Travel.” The Economist, 5 June 2021, https://www.economist.com/special-report/2021/06/05/the-future-of-travel. Accessed 27 June 2021.
If the website has three or more authors, include only the first author’s name, followed by “et al.” For example:
Lee, Austin et al. “Best Practices for College Students.” College Info Geek, 22 March 2021, https://collegeinfogeek.com/best-practices-for-college-students/. Accessed 27 June 2021.
You also need to include specific information depending on the type of content you are citing. For example, here is how to cite some common types of website content in MLA style:
Citing an Online Article
Author. “Title of the Article.” Name of Journal, vol. number, issue number, year, pages, URL. Date of Access.
For example:
Smith, Jane. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” Science, vol. 371, no. 6524, 2021, pp. 179-180, https://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.abg6700. Accessed 27 June 2021.
Citing a Blog Post
Author. “Title of the Post.” Name of the Blog, Publisher or Sponsor of the Blog, Date of Publication, URL. Date of Access.
For example:
Anderson, Sarah. “The Benefits of Mindful Meditation.” Headspace Blog, Headspace, 20 May 2021, https://www.headspace.com/blog/2021/meditation-benefits. Accessed 27 June 2021.
Citing a Video
Author/Creator. “Title of the Video.” Name of the Website, Publisher or Sponsor of the Website, Date of Publication, URL. Date of Access.
For example:
PBS Digital Studios. “The Chemistry of Fireworks.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 June 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW510KgQ7w8. Accessed 27 June 2021.
Once you have all the necessary information, you can format the citation correctly in your Works Cited page. Here are some guidelines:
- List sources alphabetically by the author’s last name.
- If there is no author, use the title of the webpage.
- Double-space your Works Cited page.
- Use a hanging indent for each citation (first line flush left, second and subsequent lines indented).
III. Common Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to MLA citation for websites, some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Not including all necessary information in the citation, such as the date of access
- Not using proper punctuation, such as periods and commas
- Formatting the citation incorrectly, such as using the wrong font or spacing
To avoid these mistakes, double-check your sources and proofread your citation carefully. You can also consult MLA style guides or use online citation tools to ensure accuracy.
IV. Discussion of Best Practices
If you want to ensure that your research uses reliable sources and is properly cited, here are some best practices to consider:
- Use academic databases, such as JSTOR or ScienceDirect, to find high-quality sources
- Check the credibility of a website by evaluating its authorship, accuracy, currency, and bias
- Incorporate quotes and paraphrases into your writing in a way that is both clear and properly cited, using signal phrases and parenthetical citations
- Format your citations correctly, using italics for titles of larger works, quotation marks for titles of shorter works, and proper punctuation
- Use online tools and resources to help you properly cite websites in MLA format, such as the Purdue OWL or Cite This For Me
V. Video Tutorial
If you prefer a more engaging way of learning MLA citation for websites, creating a video tutorial can be a great option. Here are some steps to follow:
- Choose a clear and concise topic for your tutorial, such as “How to Cite a Website in MLA Style.”
- Write a script that outlines the important information you want to cover, and practice delivering it in front of a camera. Make sure to use clear, concise language and avoid jargon.
- Use a video editing tool, such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere, to edit your footage and add relevant visuals, such as screen captures or diagrams.
- Upload your video to a platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo, and make sure to add relevant tags and descriptions to make it easy for users to find.
VI. Infographic
Another way to convey complex information quickly is through an infographic. Here are some steps to create an infographic on MLA citation for websites:
- Choose a clear and visually appealing design that uses icons, colors, and clean typography to convey information.
- Outline the structure of your infographic, dividing it into sections that cover the basic components of an MLA citation for a website.
- Gather the necessary information, such as examples of correct and incorrect citations, and create icons or images to represent each point.
- Use a free infographic maker, such as Canva or Piktochart, to create your infographic, and make sure to export it as a high-quality image file.
- Share your infographic on social media, such as Twitter or Instagram, or embed it in a blog post or article.
VII. Real-World Examples
Seeing specific examples of websites being cited in MLA format can be very helpful. Here are some examples for different types of websites:
Citing a Government Website
United States Census Bureau. “Income and Poverty in the United States: 2020.” U.S. Department of Commerce, 14 Sept. 2021, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/income-poverty.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2021.
Citing a News Article
Barr, Jeremy. “Tesla Shares Fall After Musk Sends Cryptic Tweet.” The Wall Street Journal, 24 Sept. 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-shares-fall-after-musk-sends-cryptic-tweet-11632302921. Accessed 25 Sept. 2021.
Citing an Online Encyclopedia
“Plato.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 22 Sept. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Plato. Accessed 25 Sept. 2021.
As you can see, each type of website content requires different information to be included in the citation. Make sure to double-check your sources and consult MLA style guides for help in citing them correctly.
VIII. Conclusion
In conclusion, properly citing websites in MLA format is an essential aspect of academic writing. By following our step-by-step guide, avoiding common mistakes, using best practices, watching a video tutorial, creating an infographic, and exploring real-world examples, you can enhance the credibility of your research and avoid plagiarism. Remember to double-check your sources and consult MLA style guides for guidance.
