Arts >> Books >> Literature

How to Cite an Author in MLA Form

Citing an author in MLA format is a skill integral to writing papers in many academic disciplines. The two ways you can cite an author whose work you take information from--parenthetically or at the end of your research paper--can enhance your own credibility and also help you avoid potential charges of plagiarism.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
Show More

Instructions

  1. The Citation

    • 1

      Look at the document's title page. The author's name should be near the title. For multiple authors, all the names should be on the book's title page, under the magazine article's title or somewhere on the website. If an organization wrote the article, its name should be here as well.

    • 2

      Record the names of the author or authors on paper or in your computer.

    • 3

      Format the author's name with the last name followed by the first name. (i.e., Browning, Elizabeth Barrett--and not Elizabeth Barrett Browning). For multiple authors, only render the first author's name in this style. (i.e., Browning, Elizabeth Barrett and Jane Austen). Follow this with the title of the document.

    • 4

      Format the parenthetical citation as last name of the primary author followed by the page number (i.e., (Browning 17)).

    • 5

      Format an institutional author with the full name of the company (i.e., The Batelle Institute).

    • 6

      Format an institutional author's parenthetical citation with the distinct words of the company name (i.e., (Batelle 12)).

Literature

Related Categories