MLA Documentation [Adapted from the MLA Handbook for Writers, Fourth Edition] Information is also written to correlate with Write for College, A Student Handbook
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                                     Click on a link below to view a specific MLA guide: 

 NO AUTHOR STATED FOR THE SOURCE
“The Vietnam War.”  Newsweek 13 Nov. 1978: 70.

ONE AUTHOR - Here are some samples of unique names and how to cite them.
   

As name appears in source:	As name should appear in works cited list:
Ernest Hemingway	Hemingway, Ernest.
A. B. Jackson	Jackson, A. B.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery	Saint-Exupery, Antoine de.
John Henry Pyle Pafford	Pafford, John Henry Pyle.
G. Terry Page, M.D.*	Page, G. Terry.
Sir Laurence Bradford Padcard	Padcard, Laurence Bradford.
Mitchell J. Dahood, Ph.D.*	Dahood, Mitchell J.

*In general, omit titles, affiliations and degrees that precede or follow names.

TWO AUTHORS

Maloney, Michael, and Rachel Kranz.

The authors are listed in the same order as stated in the source.  The first author is in the MLA format for One Author, followed by a comma and the word and. The second author is in normal name order, followed by a period.

THREE AUTHORS

Burton, Rosemary, Richard J. Cavendish, and M. L. Stonehouse.

The authors are listed in the same order as stated in the source. The first author is in the MLA format for One Author, followed by a comma. The second author is in normal name order, followed by a comma and the word and.  The third author is also in normal name order, followed by a period.

MORE THAN THREE AUTHORS

Anderson, June Allyn, et. al.

The first author is the only one cited and is in the MLA format for One Author, followed by a comma and the abbreviation et. al.

CORPORATE AUTHOR

American Genealogical Research Institute.

The complete name of the corporation or association begins the entry and is followed by a period.

EDITOR

Grimal, Pierre, ed.

The editor’s name is in the MLA format for One Author,  followed by a comma and the abbreviation ed.

COMPILER

Rafferty, Kathleen, comp.

The compiler’s name is in the MLA format for One Author, followed by a comma and the abbreviation comp.

The MLA Handbook states, “If the person named performed more than one function--serving, say, as editor and translator--give both roles in the order in which they appear on the title page”  (113).

COMPILER AND EDITOR

Oatman, Eric F., comp. and ed.

The name is in MLA format for One Author,  followed by a comma.  Then write the abbreviations comp. and ed.

EDITOR AND TRANSLATOR

Nichols, Fred J., ed. and trans.

The name is in MLA format for One Author,  followed by a comma.  Then write the abbreviations ed. and trans.

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BOOKS
 

The following is the basic order for information to be cited for books.   If an item is unavailable, then leave it out and cite the next available item. 1.    Author 2.    Title 3.    Place of publication   4.    Publisher   5.    Copyright date   *SEE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR PROPER PUNCTUATION*

Hemingway, Ernest.  The Old Man and the Sea.  New York:
        Collier Books, 1987.

»Author’s name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  The Title
        is Underlined .  City:  Publisher, Copyright Date.

BOOK - TRANSLATION

Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich.    Fathers and Sons.  Trans. Michael 
        R. Katz. New York: Signet-NAL,1963.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  The Title is
        Underlined .  Trans. First Name Middle Name or Initial
        Last Name.  City: Publisher, Copyright Date.

BOOK - MULTIVOLUME WORK USING ONLY ONE VOLUME

Rodriguez, Junius P., ed.  The Historical Encyclopedia of
         Slavery. Vol. 2. Santa Barbara:  ABC-CLIO, 1997.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  The Title is
        Underlined .  Vol. #.  City:  Publisher, Copyright Date.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OR MAJOR REFERENCE BOOK

“Employment Agency.”  The World Book Encyclopedia.  2000 ed.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Encyclopedia Title is Underlined . Copyright Date ed.

»Familiar reference books do not require full publication information.

REFERENCE BOOK ARTICLE FROM A LESSER KNOWN SOURCE

“Cinco de Mayo.” Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the
        World Dictionary. Ed. Helene Henderson and Sue Ellen
        Thompson.  2nd ed.  Detroit: Omnigraphics Inc.,  1997.

 »Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Book is Underlined.  Ed. First Middle Last Name of
        Editor/s. Number of Edition ed.  City:  Publisher, Copyright Date.

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PERIODICALS
Newspapers, Magazines, Government Documents

The following is the basic order for information to be cited for periodicals.  If an item is unavailable, then leave it out and cite the next available item. 1.   Author of the article   2.   Title of the article   3.   Periodical title 4.   Date of periodical 5.   Page numbers of article *SEE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR PROPER PUNCTUATION*

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Shean, Tom.  “Shipyard’s Debt Rated ‘Speculative.’” The
        Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk]  25 Oct. 1999: D1-2.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.”  The Newspaper is Underlined   [City of Publication, only if it is not
        part of the newspaper’s title]  Date: Section  Page/s.

MAGAZINE  -  MONTHLY

Felts, Stephen.  “Veggies for Life.” Health   Nov. 1998: 70-72.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “The Title of
        the Article is in Quotation Marks.” The Title of the Magazine is
        Underlined    Date: Page/s.

MAGAZINE  -  WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY

Miller, Tyler.  “The Vietnam War.” Newsweek  13 Nov. 1978: 70.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “The Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.”  The Title of the Periodical is Underlined  Date: Page/s.

MAGAZINE - NO DATE AND USES A VOLUME OR ISSUE NUMBER INSTEAD

Deluch, Max.  “Mind from Matter.” American Scholar 47 (1978):
        339-53.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “The Title of
        the Article is  in Quotation Marks.” The Title of the Periodical is
        Underlined   No. of Issue (Year):  Page/s on which the article is located.

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION

 United States Dept. of Labor.  Bureau of Statistics.  Dictionary
        of Occupational Titles. 4th ed.  Washington:  GPO, 1977.

»Government documents are very complicated because they come from so many different  offices.

»Generally, use the information on the title page such as: United States Government Department. Division of that
        Department. Title of thePublication is Underlined.  Follow with publication information, including the date.

»If you have questions, consult the pages on government documents in the  MLA Handbook.

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Subscription Databases are cited very differently than general websites found through Vivisimo, Google, Ask Jeeves, etc.

Online Subscription Databases The following is the basic order for information to be cited for Online Subscription Databases.  If an item is unavailable, then leave it out and cite the next available item. 1.    Author of the article from the printed source 2.    Title of the Article 3.    Name of the periodical   4.    Dates and pages of original article 5.    Title of database article (if different than original article)   6.    Name of the database 7.    Copyright Date 8.    Name of the sbuscription service   9.    Name of the library that provided the database   10.  Date of access to article by Day Month Year   11.  URL (http address) of the Database Homepage only        EXAMPLE:  <http://www.galegroup.com> *SEE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR PROPER PUNCTUATION*

World Wide Websites The following is the basic order for information to be cited for World Wide Websites.  If an item is unavailable, then leave it out and cite the next available item. 1.  Title of the web page   2.  Editor of site, if it is given 3.  Date of the site's latest update, if it is given   4.  Name of group/person responsible for the website 5.  Date of access to the site by Day Month  Year 6.  URL (http address) of the website      EXAMPLE:  <http://www.vaview.vt.edu/>                       *SEE EXAMPLES BELOW FOR PROPER PUNCTUATION*

* NOTE 1: On page 158,  The MLA Handbook... states,
“If  publication information for a printed source...is indicated, begin the citation with that information.”

* NOTE 2: On page 159, The MLA Handbook... states,
“If you cannot find some of the information required--for example, the city and the name of the publisher--cite what is available.”

BRIDGES CX ONLINE

Depner, Wolf. "Flight Instructor." Bridges CX.  Bridges.com, Inc.
        Kempsville High School Library.  19 Feb 2005.  <http://www.bridges.com>.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Database (if known) is Underlined   Copyright Date. 
        Publisher of the Database. Library that provided the database. Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.

GALE GROUP DATABASES  

Eberstadt, Fernanda.  “Montezuma’s Literary Revenge.”
        Commentary 5 May 1986: 35-40. “Carlos Fuentes: Criticism.” Literature Resource Center  2004.
        Gale Group Databases. Kempsville High School Library.  19 Feb 2004.  <http://infotrac.galegroup.com>.

»Cite previously printed sources first, as completely as possible. Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of Hard Copy Source is Underlined  Date:Pages.  "Title of the Database
        Article in Quotation Marks if Different than Hard Copy Title."  Title of the Database is Underlined Copyright Date. 
        Publisher of the Database. Library that provided the database. Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.  

GROLIER ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA  

“Mars Exploration, Spirit reaches Mar's Surface.” 15 Jan. 2004.
        Grolier Online 2004.  Scholastic Library Publishing, Inc.. Kempsville High School Library.
        20 Jan. 2005.  <http://go.grolier.com>

LITFINDER  

"Poem Explanation: 'Mending Wall' by Robert Frost."  Litfinder 2004.   
        Thomson Gale Databases. Kempsville High School Library.  19 Feb 2004.
         <http://www.litfinder.com>.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Database  is Underlined Copyright Date. 
        Publisher of the Database. Library that provided the database. Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.

THE REFERENCE SUITE@Facts.com

"Performance-Enhancing Substances." Issues and Controversies 30 Sept. 2002. 
        Facts on File News Services.  Kempsville High School Library.
        19 Feb 2004.  <http://www.2facts.com>.

» Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Database  is Underlined  Copyright Date. 
        Publisher of the Database. Library that provided the database. Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>. 

PROQUEST EDUCATION PERIODICALS

Robelen, Erik W.  “Academic Abilities Similar.” Education Week 8 Sept. 2004: 24. 
        Education Periodicals 2004.   ProQuest Information and Learning. 
        Kempsville High School Library.  19 Feb 2004. <http://www.proquest.com> .

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  "Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks."  Magazine Title is Underlined  Date: Page. 
        Title of the Database is Underlined  Copyright Date.  Publisher of the Database.  
        Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
       <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>. 

eLibrary – Magazine Article

Tanner, Ron.  “Terrible lizard!  The dinosaur as plaything.”  Journal of
         American & Comparative Cultures 01 July 2000: 53. eLibrary 2004.
          ProQuest Information and Learning.  Kempsville High School Library.  10 Dec 2004.
         <http://www.proquest.com> .

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  "Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks."  Magazine Title is Underlined  Date: Page. 
        Title of the Database is Underlined  Copyright Date.  Publisher of the Database.  
        Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
       <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>. 

eLibrary – Newspaper Article

Macminnis, Roberta.  "Date Night."  Houston Chronicle  28 Oct. 2004: Preview
       eLibrary 2004. ProQuest Information and Learning.  Kempsville High School Library
       12 Dec. 2004.  <http://www.proquest.com> .

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  "Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks."  Newspaper Title is Underlined Date : Section Page. 
        Title of the Database is Underlined  Copyright Date.  Publisher of the Database.  
        Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
       <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>. 

 

SIRS KNOWLEDGE SOURCE

Frick, Robert.  "Investing in Medical Miracles."  Kiplinger's Personal Finance
       Feb. 1999: 80-87.  SIRS Researcher 2004. ProQuest Information and Learning.
       Kempsville High School Library.  01 Jan 2005.  <http://www.sirs.com>.

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  "Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks."  Magazine Title is Underlined  Date: Page. 
        Title of the Database is Underlined  Copyright Date.  Publisher of the Database.  
        Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
       <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>. 
 

VERTICAL FILE RESOURDCES

Stevens, John.  “Academics Express Racial Preferences.”  Library Reference Service 7 July 2004.
       Library Reference Service.  Kempsville High School Library.  14 Jan. 2005.
       <http://www.lrsdatabase.com> .

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  “Title of the
        Article is in Quotation Marks.”  Title of the Database is Underlined Copyright Date.  Publisher of the Database. 
        Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.

WORLD BOOK ONLINE - INTERNET

"Basketball Hall of Fame."  World Book Online Reference Center  2004.
        World Book, Inc.  Kempsville High School Library.  15 Jan. 2005.
        <http://www.worldbookonline.com> .  

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Internet Page/Article is in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Database is Underlined Copyright Date.
        Publisher of the Database.  Library that provided the database.  Date of Access by Day Month Year.
        <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.  

WWW (World Wide Web) - INTERNET

“Sing Me Back Home-A Journey Through Country Music.”  2003.  Country
        Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  12 Dec. 2004.
        < http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com> .

»Author's name (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship. “Title of the
        Internet Page/Article is in Quotation Marks.”  Sponsor of the Internet Page.
        Date of Access by Day Month Year. <Electronic address of the Database's Homepage in carets>.

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ADVERTISEMENT IN A PERIODICAL

Acura. Advertisement.  Rolling Stone.  16 May 1999:  8-9.

»The Advertiser. Advertisement.  Title of Periodical is Underlined .  Date: page no/s.

ADVERTISEMENT ON TELEVISION

Kellogg’s Cornflakes.  Advertisement.  ABC.  19 Feb 2004.

»The Advertiser.  Advertisement.  Name of the network.  Airing date by Day
        Month Year.

CARTOON IN A NEWSPAPER

Trudeau, Garry.  “Doonesbury.”  Cartoon. Ledger-Star [Norfolk]
        3 Jun. 1995:  D4.

»Cartoonist follows MLA rules for an author.  “Title of the Cartoon is in
        Quotation Marks.” Cartoon.Name of Newspaper is Underlined [City of Publication,
        only if it is not part of the newspaper’s title]  Date the cartoon appears in the paper: Section Page/s.

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED ON TELEVISION

Blackman, Harry.  Interview with Ted Koppel. Nightline.  ABC.
        WABC, New York. 19 Feb 2004.

»The person interviewed in MLA format for author.  Interview with First Last
        Name of interviewer. Name of TV Show is Underlined.
        Network that aired the interview.  Station that produced the interview,
        Location of station. Airing date by Day Month Year.

INTERVIEW THAT YOU CONDUCTED

Tonelson, Dr. Louis O.  Personal Interview.  19 Feb 2005.

»The person you interviewed in MLA format for author.  Personal Interview. Day Month Year of the Interview.

MAPS AND CHARTS NOT PUBLISHED IN AN ATLAS

Canada.  Map. Chicago: Rand, 2002.

»Title of Map or Chart is Underlined.  Give the medium.  Place of publication: Publisher, Copyright date.

MOVIES REMADE INTO VIDEOCASSETTE OR LASERDISC

It’s a Wonderful Life.  Dir. Frank Capra.  Perf. James Stewart,
        Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. 1946.  Videocassette.
        Republic, 1988.

»Title of the Movie is Underlined.  Dir. First Last Name. Perf. First Last Names of the main actors.
        Date of the publication of the original movie. Give the medium.  Medium’s publisher, Date of the production.

MOVIES SEEN AT THE THEATRE

It’s a Wonderful Life.  Dir. Frank Capra.  Perf. James Stewart,
        Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. RKO. 1946.

»Title of the Movie is Underlined.  Dir. First Last Name.  Perf. First Last Names of the Main Actors.
        Movie Production Company.  Date of the publication of the movie.

PAMPHLET

Career as an Aerospace-Aircraft Engineer.  Chicago: Institute for Research, 2003.

»Treat a pamphlet as you would a book.

»Author (if available) follows MLA rules for authorship.  The Title is  Underlined.  Place of
         publication: Publisher, Copyright date.

RADIO OR TELEVISION PROGRAM

The First American.  Narr.  by Hugh Downs.  Writ. and prod. by
        Craig Fisher. NBC. KNBC, Los Angeles. 19 Feb 2004.

»Title of the Program is Underlined.  Followed by performers’
        and producers’ First Last Names.  The network that aired the program.
        Station that produced the program, Location.  Airing date by Day Month
        Year.

SLIDES, FILMSTRIPS, VIDEOS, & LASERDISCS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED

The Structure of Animals:  Vertebrates - Mammals.  Filmstrip.
        National Geographic Society, 2003.

»Consult the MLA Handbook for specific details.  The basic format is as
        follows:

»Title of the Work is Underlined.  Medium.  Location (if known):
        Publisher, Copyright date.