How to Cite an Online Article in MLA
In today's digital age, online articles are an indispensable source of information for students and professionals alike. From academic journals and news websites to blog posts and organizational reports, the internet offers a vast repository of knowledge. However, the accessibility of these sources comes with a critical responsibility: proper citation.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities, and correctly citing online articles in MLA format is crucial for academic integrity. It allows your readers to locate your sources, gives credit to the original authors, and strengthens the credibility of your work. This guide will walk you through the essential components of citing an online article in MLA 9th edition, providing clear instructions and practical examples.
Understanding the Core MLA Structure for Online Articles
The basic structure for citing an online article in MLA follows a logical pattern, collecting key pieces of information about the source. While variations exist depending on the type of online article and available information, the general template looks like this:
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Website/Journal/Periodical, Publisher (if different from website title), Date of publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year (optional but recommended).
Let's break down each element and explore how to find and format it correctly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Citing an Online Article
Step 1: Identify the Author(s)
The author is typically the first piece of information you'll include.
- Individual Author: List the author's last name, followed by a comma, then the first name. If there's a middle initial, include it.
* Example: Smith, John.
- Two Authors: List the first author as Last Name, First Name, and the second author as First Name Last Name, separated by "and."
* Example: Smith, John, and Jane Doe.
- Three or More Authors: List only the first author's Last Name, First Name, followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others").
* Example: Smith, John, et al.
- Organizational Author: If an organization or government agency is the author, list its full name.
* Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- No Author: If no individual or organizational author is listed, skip this element and begin your citation with the article title.
Step 2: Find the Article Title
The title of the article should be enclosed in quotation marks. Use title case (capitalize all major words).
- Example: "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Education."
Step 3: Locate the Website/Journal/Periodical Title
The title of the larger work that contains the article (e.g., the website, online journal, or online magazine) should be italicized.
- Website: If it's a standalone article on a general news or information website.
Example: The New York Times, Psychology Today Online, Wikipedia*.
- Online Journal/Magazine: If the article is part of an academic journal or a well-known online magazine.
Example: Journal of American History, Slate Magazine, Wired*.
Step 4: Determine the Publisher
The publisher is the organization or company responsible for making the work available. This is often the same as the website title, in which case you can omit it to avoid redundancy. Include the publisher if it's distinct from the website title.
- When to include: If you're citing an article from a specific blog hosted on a larger platform, the platform would be the publisher. Or if an article on a university's website is published by a specific department.
- When to omit: If the website title and the publisher are the same (e.g., The New York Times is both the title of the website and its publisher).
- Example (when distinct): If an article from "The Daily Scoop" is published by "Media Corp," you'd list The Daily Scoop, Media Corp.
Step 5: Note the Publication Date
The date the article was published is crucial. MLA prefers the day, month, and year format (e.g., 25 Apr. 2023). If only a year is available, use that. If no date is available, you can use "n.d." (no date), though this is rare for online articles.
- Example: 25 Apr. 2023.
Step 6: Copy the URL
Provide the full URL (web address) of the article. While MLA 9th edition states that URLs are optional when the source is easily found through a search, including it is generally good practice, especially for less common sources or those with long, complex titles. Do not include "http://" or "https://" unless it's necessary for direct access.
- Example: www.examplewebsite.com/article-title/
Step 7: Add Access Date (Optional but Recommended)
For online sources, especially those that may change or be removed, including an access date can be very helpful. This tells your reader when you last viewed the content. Use the format Day Month Year.
- Example: Accessed 10 May 2023.
Putting It All Together: Complete Examples
Let's see how these elements combine into full citations.
Example 1: Standard Online Article with Author, Publisher, and Date
An article titled "The Future of Remote Work" by Sarah Chen, published on TechInsights Blog by TechSolutions Inc. on March 15, 2023.
Chen, Sarah. "The Future of Remote Work." TechInsights Blog, TechSolutions Inc., 15 Mar. 2023, www.techinsightsblog.com/future-of-remote-work. Accessed 20 Apr. 2023.
Example 2: Online News Article with Author
An article titled "New Climate Report Reveals Urgent Action Needed" by David Lee, published in The Guardian on April 10, 2023. (Note: The Guardian is both the website title and publisher, so publisher is omitted.)
Lee, David. "New Climate Report Reveals Urgent Action Needed." The Guardian, 10 Apr. 2023, www.theguardian.com/climate-report-urgent-action. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
Example 3: Online Article with No Author
An article titled "Understanding Quantum Computing" on Science Daily, published on February 1, 2023.
"Understanding Quantum Computing." Science Daily, 1 Feb. 2023, www.sciencedaily.com/quantum-computing. Accessed 5 Mar. 2023.
Example 4: Article from an Academic Journal Database
An article titled "The Psychology of Social Media Engagement" by Emily White, published in Journal of Digital Media Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 45-60, in 2022. Accessed via JSTOR.
White, Emily. "The Psychology of Social Media Engagement." Journal of Digital Media Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, 2022, pp. 45-60. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/12345678. Accessed 1 May 2023. (Note: For articles from databases, you often include the database name in italics and then the URL or DOI if available.)
Example 5: Article from an Organizational Website
An article titled "Benefits of Regular Exercise" by the American Heart Association, published on their website on October 20, 2022.
American Heart Association. "Benefits of Regular Exercise." American Heart Association, 20 Oct. 2022, www.heart.org/healthy-living/exercise-benefits. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
In-Text Citations for Online Articles
In addition to your Works Cited entry, you'll need to cite your online sources within the body of your paper. This typically involves the author's last name and, if available, a page number. For most online articles, page numbers are absent.
- With Author: Include the author's last name in parentheses.
* Example: (Chen) or "Remote work has fundamentally reshaped the modern economy" (Chen).
- With No Author: Use a shortened version of the article title in quotation marks.
* Example: ("Understanding Quantum") or "Quantum computing represents a significant leap in technological capability" ("Understanding Quantum").
- Organizational Author: Use the organization's name.
* Example: (American Heart Association)
Tips for Success
- Consistency is Key: Ensure that all your citations, both in-text and in your Works Cited list, follow MLA guidelines consistently.
- Gather Information Systematically: As you research, keep track of all the necessary citation elements for each source. A simple spreadsheet or note-taking system can save you significant time later.
- Pay Attention to Punctuation: Commas, periods, and quotation marks are crucial in MLA. A misplaced comma can invalidate a citation.
- Use Tools Wisely: While online citation generators can be helpful starting points, always double-check their output against the official MLA guidelines. They aren't always perfect, especially with less common source types. For complex citation challenges or ensuring your entire bibliography is flawless, platforms like Humanize offer professional editing and formatting services that can provide invaluable support, ensuring your citations are impeccable.
- Check for Updates: Citation styles, including MLA, are periodically updated. Always refer to the most current edition (currently the 9th edition) or your instructor's specific guidelines.
Citing online articles in MLA format might seem daunting at first, but by systematically gathering the required information and following the structure, you can master this essential academic skill. Proper citation not only demonstrates your academic rigor but also respects the intellectual property of others, making your research more robust and trustworthy.