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MLA citation generator and works cited maker

MLA style is used in literature, languages and the humanities. WriteOrbit formats your in-text citations and builds the works cited page in MLA 9 as you write.

Your list

Sources you add appear here, formatted in your style.

Your list stays in this browser. Copy keeps italics when you paste into Word or Google Docs. Check every citation against the source.

MLA example

The 1953 paper in which Watson and Crick described the structure of DNA (DOI 10.1038/171737a0), cited in MLA.

In the text

Parenthetical
(Watson and Crick 737)
Narrative
Watson and Crick argue … (737).

Works Cited

Watson, J. D., and F. H. C. Crick. “Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids: A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid.” Nature, vol. 171, no. 4356, 1953, pp. 737–38, https://doi.org/10.1038/171737a0.

MLA format for common sources

Journal article
Last, First, and First Last. “Title of the Article.” Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #–#, DOI or URL.
Book
Last, First. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.
Web page
Last, First. “Title of the Page.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

Main MLA rules

  • Title the page “Works Cited”, centred, with entries in alphabetical order and a half-inch hanging indent.
  • Reverse only the first author’s name. For three or more authors, give the first and “et al.”
  • Put article titles in quotation marks and title case; italicise the journal, book or website.
  • In the text, give the author and page number with no comma: (Watson and Crick 737).
  • Prefer a DOI to a URL when the source has one.

Your course, publisher or university may change these rules. When they differ, follow them.

How to use it

  1. Find the source

    Paste a DOI or search by title, or enter a website, book or other source by hand.

  2. Pick a style

    APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, AMA, IEEE or any of over 10,000 styles.

  3. Copy

    Copy the reference and the in-text citation. Add more sources to build a list.

Good to know

  • A citation is only as good as its record. Check names, dates and capitalisation for unusual sources.
  • Your list stays in this browser. Sign in to keep references with your documents.

Questions

More in the help center.

What is a works cited page?

The list of sources at the end of an MLA paper. Every source you cite in the text must appear there, in alphabetical order by author.

Do I need access dates in MLA 9?

They are optional. Add one for web pages that have no publication date or may change.

Can I switch from MLA to APA later?

Yes. Change the style in the status bar and every citation and the list update.

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