How to Cite an Academic Article in MLA Format: Complete Guide

Citing academic articles in MLA (Modern Language Association) format is crucial to ensure your work is properly attributed and to avoid plagiarism. This guide will walk you through the citation process for different types of academic articles accessed both in print and online.

1. Print Article in a Journal or Magazine

When citing a print article, the format follows a specific structure that includes the author's name, the article title, the journal title, volume and issue (if applicable), the year of publication, and the page numbers of the article.

Example:
Smith, Jane. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” National Geographic, vol. 142, no. 3, 2023, pp. 34-47.

2. Article from a Newspaper

When citing a newspaper article, the format is similar to that of a print article but with a focus on the newspaper's title and the specific edition, if applicable.

Example:
Jones, David. “The Future of Renewable Energy.” The New York Times, 12 Dec. 2023, sec. A, pp. 1-8.

3. Article Accessed Online

For online articles, additional details such as the DOI (Digital Object Identifier), URL, and the date of access are necessary to ensure the citation is accurate and accessible.

Example:
Lee, Min-Jung. “Advancements in Nanotechnology.” Science, vol. 380, no. 6617, 20 Oct. 2023, doi:10.1126/science.abo6722.

4. In-Text Citations

In-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the sources of your information directly within your text. Here are the steps to create a proper in-text citation:

4.1 Basic Formatting

In-text citations typically include the author’s last name, a page number (if available), and can also include the title of the source if it has been cited multiple times.

Example: Smith (24) argues that...

4.2 Multiple Authors

If you reference two authors, list both names alphabetically. For three or more authors, include the first author’s last name, followed by "et al." followed by the page number.

Examples:
Smith and Jones (252)
Smith et al. (242)

4.3 Works Cited by Multiple Authors

If you have multiple works by the same author, include a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation to avoid confusion.

Example:
Smith’s research focusing on climate change and its impact on ecosystems (34)...

5. Creating a Works Cited Entry for Print Article

The Works Cited entry for a print article includes the author's name, the article title, the journal title, volume and issue (if applicable), date of publication, and page numbers.

Steps:
1. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their first name and middle name if available, separated by commas. If there are multiple authors, arrange them alphabetically, with the first author last name first and the second author first name first.
2. Include the article title in quotation marks, followed by a period.
3. Include the journal title in italics, followed by a period.
4. Specify the volume and issue (if applicable), followed by the year of publication, separated by commas and highlighted with vol. for volume and no. for issue.
5. Include the page numbers of the article, followed by a period.

Example:
Sherman, Lillia. “The Role of Environmental Ethics in Modern Philosophy.” Journal of Environmental Ethics, vol. 59, no. 3, 2023, pp. 56-67.

6. Citing an Online Source

For online sources, you need to include the author, the online database (if used), URL or DOI, and the date of access. This ensures that the source is accessible and that readers can verify the information.

Steps:
1. Start with the author's name and include the article title in quotation marks, followed by a period.
2. Include the title of the online database in italics, followed by a period if applicable.
3. Provide the DOI or URL, followed by a period.
4. Include the date of access, abbreviated month, and complete date, followed by a period.

Example:
Hidalgo, Manuel et al. “Addressing the Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer: Future Directions for Improving Outcomes.” Journal of Cancer Research, vol. 18, no. 3, 2023, doi:10.1002/jcr.32145. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

Conclusion

Proper citation is vital for the integrity of academic research and writing. By following the guidelines provided in this guide, you can ensure that your citations are accurate, consistent, and in compliance with MLA format. Remember to check your work against the MLA Handbook for the most recent and detailed guidelines.