How to Cite Sources in MLA Format - 7th edition
In April 2009 the MLA (Modern Language Association) published the newest edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. This
new edition has some significant changes to the older edition but some rules have remained the same.
Alphabetize your list of sources by the author's last name. If no author name exists for the source,
start the citation with the title of the document.
Double-space between each citation and between each line within a citation.
After the first line of a citation (which is set flush left), all subsequent lines must be indented one-half inch (five spaces in 12 point font). (See examples below.)
The examples found in the documents below are based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th ed.
- 2009).
Please see this book or the DCCC Reference Librarians for additional help and examples. (The book is located at the DCCC Library Reference Desk.)
PDF/printable versionsThe DCCC Librarians have compiled more MLA citation examples here: MLA 7 Citation Long Guide
The Writing Lab at Purdue also has more examples.
Last Updated: October 2, 2009