Citing Websites in MLA Format

Citing Websites in MLA Format

Citing websites is an essential skill for students of literature, history, and other humanities fields. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide provides clear guidelines on how to properly cite websites in your academic writing. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to format source citations in Google Docs using MLA format.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into specific citation formats, it's essential to understand the basics of MLA formatting. The MLA style guide recommends that you include the following elements when citing a website:

• Author (if available)
• Title of the webpage or article
• Publication date (if available)
• Title of the container (e.g., book, magazine, journal)
• Publication information (if available)

1. Citing Online Articles in Google Docs

When citing online articles, you'll need to include the author's name, title of the article, publication date, and URL.

Here's an example:

[Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." Journal of Psychology, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23456789]

In Google Docs, you can format this citation using the MLA template available in the Template Gallery.

• Click on "File" > "New Document" and select the "MLA" template.
• Type in the required information for each source, including author, title of the article, publication date, title of the container, and URL.

2. Citing Websites Without a DOI

If you're citing a website without a digital object identifier (DOI), you can omit it from your citation.

Here's an example:

[ABC Corporation. "Home Page." ABC Corporation, https://www.example.com/]

In Google Docs, you can format this citation using the following template:

• Click on "File" > "New Document" and select the "MLA" template.
• Type in the required information for each source, including author (if available), title of the webpage or article, publication date (if available), title of the container, and URL.

3. Citing Online Sources from Journals

When citing online sources from journals, you'll need to include the journal's name, volume, issue number, page numbers, and URL.

Here's an example:

[Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." Journal of Psychology, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23456789]

In Google Docs, you can format this citation using the following template:

• Click on "File" > "New Document" and select the "MLA" template.
• Type in the required information for each source, including author, title of the article or chapter, publication date, journal name, volume, issue number, page numbers, and URL.

4. Citing Online Sources from Academic Databases

When citing online sources from academic databases, you'll need to include the database's name, title of the article or chapter, publication date, and URL.

Here's an example:

[Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." Journal of Psychology, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23456789]

In Google Docs, you can format this citation using the following template:

• Click on "File" > "New Document" and select the "MLA" template.
• Type in the required information for each source, including author, title of the article or chapter, publication date, database name, title of the container, and URL.

Conclusion

Citing websites in MLA format can seem daunting at first, but with practice and patience, you'll become a pro. By following these guidelines and using the templates provided, you'll be able to properly cite online sources in your academic writing. Remember to always consult the MLA style guide for specific guidance on formatting citations.

Example of Properly Formatted Cited Source:

[Smith, John. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." Journal of Psychology, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23456789]

This citation includes the required information for citing an online article in MLA format.

Additional Tips:

• Always check the URL to ensure it is stable and not subject to change.
• Use a reliable source guide, such as the MLA Handbook or online resources like Purdue OWL, for guidance on formatting citations.