How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA

How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA (9th Edition)

Citing sources correctly is a cornerstone of academic integrity, preventing plagiarism and giving credit where it's due. In the humanities, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used, particularly in literature, language, and the arts. When conducting research, journal articles are invaluable sources of scholarly information, offering in-depth analysis and peer-reviewed insights.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of citing journal articles in MLA 9th edition, covering various scenarios from print to online databases. We'll break down each component, provide clear examples, and offer practical tips to ensure your Works Cited page and in-text citations are impeccable.

Understanding the Core Components of an MLA Journal Article Citation

An MLA Works Cited entry for a journal article typically follows a specific structure, incorporating nine core elements, known as the "containers" system. While not every article will have all nine elements, understanding them is key to building an accurate citation.

Here's the general structure for a journal article from a database or online source:

`Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P. Database Name, DOI or URL.`

Let's break down each element:

1. Author(s)

Start with the author's last name, followed by a comma, then the first name. If there's a middle initial, include it.

• Single Author:

`Smith, John. "The Art of Storytelling in Modern Fiction."`

• Two Authors: List them in the order they appear on the article. The first author is listed Last Name, First Name. The second author is listed First Name Last Name.

`Johnson, Emily, and Michael Brown. "Digital Humanities and Literary Analysis."`

• Three or More Authors: List only the first author's last name, first name, followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others").

`Garcia, Maria, et al. "Postcolonial Narratives in Contemporary Literature."`

• No Author: If no author is listed, begin the citation with the article title.

`"Exploring Themes of Identity in 21st-Century Poetry."`

2. "Title of Article"

Enclose the title of the article in quotation marks. Capitalize all major words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions), but not articles (a, an, the), prepositions, or coordinating conjunctions unless they are the first word of the title or subtitle.

• `"The Interplay of Myth and Reality in Fantasy Literature"`

3. Title of Periodical (Journal Title)

Italicize the full title of the journal. Use title case capitalization, similar to the article title.

• `PMLA` (Publications of the Modern Language Association of America)
• `Journal of Modern Literature`

4. Volume (vol.) and Issue (no.) Numbers

Academic journals are organized by volume and issue numbers. The volume typically represents a year of publication, and the issue represents a specific publication within that year (e.g., quarterly).

• `vol. 35, no. 2,`

5. Publication Date

Provide the full date if available (Day Month Year), or just the Month Year, or simply the Year. Be consistent with the format provided by the source.

• `15 May 2023,`
• `Spring 2023,`
• `2023,`

6. Page Range

Indicate the full page range of the article within the journal, preceded by "pp." for multiple pages or "p." for a single page. If the article is online and lacks stable page numbers (e.g., uses article numbers), you might omit this or use an article number if provided.

• `pp. 45-62.`

7. Database Name (if applicable)

If you accessed the article through a subscription database (e.g., JSTOR, Project MUSE, EBSCOhost), italicize the name of the database. This acts as a container for the article.

• `JSTOR,`
• `Project MUSE,`

8. DOI or URL

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a permanent link to an article, even if the URL changes. Always prioritize a DOI if available. If no DOI is present, provide a stable URL. Omit "http://" or "https://" for brevity.

• DOI: `doi:10.1353/jml.2023.0012.` (Note: MLA 9th edition prefers the "doi:" prefix.)
• URL: `www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/40000000.`

Step-by-Step Examples for Different Scenarios

Now, let's apply these components to common scenarios.

1. Print Journal Article

This is the most straightforward citation, as there are no database or URL elements.

Structure: `Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P.`

Example: `Chen, Li. "The Evolution of Poetic Forms in Tang Dynasty China." Asian Literature Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, Fall 2022, pp. 78-95.`

2. Online Journal Article (with DOI)

Many online journals assign DOIs. This is the preferred method for citing online articles if a DOI exists.

Structure: `Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P, DOI.`

Example: `Rodriguez, Isabel. "Narrative Structures in Contemporary Latin American Fiction." Journal of Global Literary Studies, vol. 28, no. 1, Mar. 2023, pp. 112-130, doi:10.1177/00219885221144000.`

3. Online Journal Article (no DOI, with URL)

If an article is found directly on a journal's website and lacks a DOI, use the stable URL.

Structure: `Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P, URL.`

Example: `Kim, Joon. "The Impact of Social Media on Modern Journalism." Digital Media Quarterly, vol. 5, no. 4, Winter 2021, pp. 33-48, www.digitalmediaquarterly.org/articles/impact-social-media.html.`

4. Journal Article from a Database (with DOI)

This is a common scenario for students accessing articles through university libraries.

Structure: `Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P. Database Name, DOI.`

Example: `Nguyen, Thanh. "Representation of Identity in Diaspora Literature." Postcolonial Studies Review, vol. 7, no. 2, July 2022, pp. 201-218. JSTOR, doi:10.2307/40000000.`

5. Journal Article from a Database (no DOI, with URL)

Less common for databases, as many provide DOIs, but possible for older articles or specific platforms.

Structure: `Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. V, no. N, Date, pp. P-P. Database Name, URL.`

Example: `Patel, Anjali. "Symbolism in Early 20th-Century British Novels." Literary Research Quarterly, vol. 18, no. 1, Spring 2020, pp. 60-75. ProQuest Central, search.proquest.com/docview/234567890.`

In-Text Citations for Journal Articles

In addition to your Works Cited page, you must also include in-text citations within the body of your paper. These brief citations direct your reader to the full entry on your Works Cited page. MLA primarily uses the author-page number format.

Basic Format: (Author's Last Name Page Number)

• When the author is mentioned in your sentence:

`According to Smith, "the narrative structure significantly influences reader perception" (45).`

• When the author is not mentioned in your sentence:

`The narrative structure significantly influences reader perception (Smith 45).`

Multiple Authors

• Two Authors:

`Digital humanities approaches offer new insights into literary analysis (Johnson and Brown 123).`

• Three or More Authors:

`Postcolonial narratives often challenge traditional Western perspectives (Garcia et al. 78).`

No Author

If an article has no author, use a shortened version of the article title (often the first significant word or two) in quotation marks, followed by the page number.

• `The study highlighted key themes of identity ("Exploring Themes" 15).`

No Page Numbers (Online Articles)

If an online article lacks page numbers, you should omit the page number from the in-text citation. If the article uses numbered paragraphs, you can use "par." or "pars." followed by the paragraph number.

• `The article argues for a re-evaluation of historical sources (Rodriguez).`
• `The research indicates a clear trend (Kim, par. 12).`

Essential Tips for Accuracy and Consistency

1. Locate All Necessary Information: Before you start citing, gather all the details: author names, article title, journal title, volume, issue, date, page numbers, database name, and DOI/URL. Often, this information is found on the first page or header/footer of the article.
2. Pay Attention to Punctuation and Formatting: MLA style is very specific about commas, periods, quotation marks, and italics. A misplaced comma can make a citation incorrect.
3. Use Consistent Capitalization: Always use Title Case for article and journal titles.
4. Double-Check Your Work: After creating your Works Cited page, compare each entry against the original source and the MLA guidelines. Even minor errors can detract from your paper's professionalism.
5. Utilize Citation Tools (with caution): Many academic databases and library websites offer "cite" functions that generate MLA citations. While these can be helpful starting points, they are not always 100% accurate. Always review and correct them manually according to the latest MLA guidelines.
6. Consult the MLA Handbook: For complex or unusual citation scenarios, the official MLA Handbook is the definitive resource. Your university library likely has a copy, or you can access online guides.
7. Seek Expert Review: If you're unsure about your citations or want to ensure your entire paper adheres to academic standards, consider getting professional help. Services like Humanize can provide expert editing and formatting to ensure your citations are perfectly aligned with MLA 9th edition guidelines, letting you focus on your research.

Mastering MLA citation for journal articles is a vital skill for any student or researcher. By understanding the core components and following these guidelines, you can confidently attribute your sources and uphold academic integrity in all your written work.

Works Cited Page Formatting Reminder

Remember that your Works Cited page should be:

• A separate page at the end of your paper.
• Titled "Works Cited" (centered, no bolding, no italics).
• Double-spaced throughout.
• Entries should be alphabetized by the first word of the entry (usually the author's last name).
• Use a hanging indent for each entry (the first line is flush left, subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches).

By adhering to these rules, you'll present a professional and academically sound research paper.