Making a Works Cited page in MLA format is an important part of your research paper. It’s essential to give credit to the sources you’ve used in your writing and to help your readers access those sources if they want to learn more about the topic. It might seem a bit overwhelming to create a Works Cited page at first, but don’t worry! With a few simple steps, you can easily make one that meets the guidelines for MLA format.

Firstly, it’s important to understand what a Works Cited page is and why it’s important. In a nutshell, a Works Cited page is a list of all the sources you’ve cited in your writing. This includes books, articles, websites, and other types of sources. By creating a Works Cited page, you are giving credit to the authors of those sources and showing your readers where they can go to learn more about the topic you’ve written about. It’s also a way to avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense in academic writing. Fortunately, creating a Works Cited page is easier than you might think!

Table of Contents

Understanding MLA and Works Cited Pages

MLA, or the Modern Language Association, is a widely used format for writing academic and scholarly works. Apart from papers, essays, and research studies, MLA is also applied in the creation of works cited pages, where citations for reference materials used in a written work are listed.

A works cited page is typically included at the end of academic papers, essays, and research reports to acknowledge the works cited or referenced in the text. The works cited page serves as a bibliography for the paper, providing complete and accurate information about each citation used. Here are the ten subheadings to guide you on how to make a works cited page MLA:

1. Understand the Formatting Requirements

Before making a works cited page, it’s essential to understand the formatting requirements of MLA. Works cited pages in MLA follow specific guidelines that include the citation style, headings, margins, font size, and spacing. Understanding these requirements is crucial in creating an accurate and acceptable works cited page.

2. Collect Accurate Reference Information

To make a works cited page MLA requires that you collect accurate reference information about the sources you’ve cited in your work. The information needed includes author names, article or book titles, publication dates, publishing companies, and page numbers, among other details. Ensure that the reference information is correct to make the works cited page as accurate as possible.

3. Organize Your Works Cited Page Alphabetically

Works cited pages are usually organized alphabetically, with entries arranged in alphabetical order by the last name of the author. If there is no author, the title of the work should be used for arrangement. Organizing your works cited page makes it easier for readers to locate the sources that you’ve cited.

4. Use Proper Citation Styles

MLA provides specific citation styles for different types of sources, including books, academic articles, web pages, and videos, among others. As you make your works cited page MLA, ensure that you use the correct citation style for each source. This makes it easier for your readers to see the difference between the sources listed, as well as find them.

5. Use Hanging Indentation

Hanging indentation is a requirement when making a works cited page in MLA. This means that the first line of the citation is left-aligned, while the subsequent lines are indented. Using hanging indentation makes the works cited page organized and aesthetically pleasing.

6. Double Check Your Citations

Accuracy is crucial when making a works cited page MLA. Double-check your citations to ensure that all information is correct, and that every citation has the necessary information, according to the citation style specified. This will ensure that your works cited page is free from errors.

7. Include All sources

Your works cited page MLA should include all sources you have cited. This includes primary and secondary sources, books, journal articles, newspapers, videos, and other sources. Leaving out any source can be detrimental to your work as it reduces your credibility as a researcher.

8. Do Not Use Abbreviations

In the works cited page MLA, avoid using abbreviations. Write out all titles for the works cited in full, and spell out all words. This helps to make your work clear and professional.

9. Use Italics and Quotations Correctly

MLA specific guidelines on using italics and quotations when making a works cited page. Use italics for the titles of longer works, such as books, movies, and television shows. Use quotes for the titles of shorter works, such as articles, poetry, and speeches, among others.

10. Use Online Citation Tools

There are a variety of online citation tools that can help you make a works cited page MLA. These tools make the process of creating citations and formatting the works cited page easier for you. You need to double-check the accuracy of the citations you receive from these tools, as some may contain errors.

Conclusion

Creating a works cited page MLA may seem daunting, but with the proper understanding, you can make it with ease. By following the ten subheadings above, you can create a well-organized and accurate works cited page for your academic or scholarly work. Remember to be accurate, diligent, and systematic, and you’ll have a perfect works cited page.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Works Cited Page in MLA Format

Now that we understand the importance of referencing sources and the basics of MLA formatting, let’s get into how to actually create a works cited page. Follow these steps to ensure that your works cited page is properly formatted and includes all the necessary information:

Step 1: Start a New Page<\h3>

Begin your works cited page on a new page at the end of your research paper. Make sure that the page is titled “Works Cited” and centered at the top of the page. Don’t forget to double-space the page.

Step 2: Organize Entries Alphabetically<\h3>

In an MLA works cited page, entries are organized alphabetically by the author’s last name. If there is no author listed, then the entry will start with the article or book title. Make sure that your entries are in alphabetical order and that the first line is flush with the left margin, while the second and any following lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Step 3: Create Citations for Each Source<\h3>

For each source that you used in your research paper, create a citation that includes the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, the publisher, and the date of access (for online sources). Remember to italicize book and journal titles and to use quotation marks for article and chapter titles.

Step 4: Format Citations Correctly<\h3>

The format for different types of sources may vary slightly. For example, for a book citation, the format is typically: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date. For an online source, the format is typically: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Website, Publisher/Website Name, Publication Date, URL.

Step 5: Don’t Forget to Include Every Source<\h3>

Make sure you include every source that you referenced in your research paper. This can include books, journal articles, websites, and even personal interviews. Don’t forget to include sources that you paraphrased or summarized as well.

Step 6: Review Your Citations for Accuracy<\h3>

Double-check each citation to make sure that all the information is accurate. Check for spelling errors and make sure the punctuation is correct.

Step 7: Check for Consistency<\h3>

Make sure that your citations are consistent in terms of formatting and punctuation. All book titles should be italicized, for example, and all article titles should be in quotation marks.

Step 8: Determine the Medium of Publication<\h3>

Identify the medium of publication for each source, such as print or web. In print sources, you may need to include the page number(s) of the source material you are citing.

Step 9: Use the Correct Punctuation<\h3>

Make sure that you use the correct punctuation for each source. For example, for an article citation, the format is typically: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume Number, Issue Number, Publication Date, Page Numbers.

Step 10: Ask for Help If You Need It<\h3>

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re unsure how to create a works cited page in MLA format. Your teacher or librarian can provide you with additional guidance and resources to ensure that your works cited page is accurately formatted.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create a properly formatted works cited page in MLA format that will help to support the credibility of your research paper.

Formatting Your Works Cited Page

Once you have completed the citation process, it is now time to format your works cited page. MLA guidelines have specific requirements that need to be followed.

Page Layout

The works cited page should begin on a new page, at the end of your paper. It should have the same margins, font size, and style as the rest of your document. The title, “Works Cited,” should be centered and given in the same font and size as the rest of your document.

Alphabetize Entries

Entries should be arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s last name or, for sources with no author, by the first word in the title (excluding “A,” “An,” or “The”). Double-space all entries, and use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches.

Italicize Titles

Italicize titles of larger works, such as books, periodicals, and websites. Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works, such as articles or chapter titles.

Punctuate Entries

Punctuate entries according to MLA guidelines. For book entries, end the citation with a period. For journal articles, include the volume and issue number, followed by a comma and page numbers. For online sources, include the date of access and the URL or DOI.

Sample Works Cited Page

Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Houghton Mifflin, 1985.
Butler, Octavia. Kindred. Beacon, 1979.
Clare, Eli, et al. “Strategies for Coping with Stress.” Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 90, no. 2, 2005, pp. 267-260. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.90.2.267.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, Pray, Love. Viking, 2006.
“Guide to Literary Agents.” Writer’s Digest, 2021, www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/how-to-find-a-literary-agent-for-your-book.

Formatting your works cited page properly is essential to ensure your paper meets MLA guidelines. Make sure to double-check and proofread your entries to avoid mistakes. Following the guidelines will make your paper look professional and well-organized.

That’s it, you’re done!

Phew! You made it through the whole article on how to make a Works Cited page in MLA format. I hope you found it helpful and feel more confident about citing your sources now. Remember, creating a Works Cited page can seem intimidating at first, but it gets easier with practice. And, as always, thank you for reading! Come back soon for more tips on writing and research.