When an organization is the author and the publisher of a work, the handbook advises writers to begin the works-cited-list entry with the title of the source. Is it OK to use the organization’s name in a signal phrase or in the in-text citation even though the name does not begin the works-cited-list entry?

No. The text should always key to the list of works cited. You can provide the key in the parenthetical citation or in your text. Read More

If I am citing an essay by an author in a collection, do I need to include in my works-cited-list entry the page number for the author’s biography on the contributors’ page?

No. The contributors’ page is not part of the essay, so list only the page range for the essay. Read More

If a podcast episode is hosted by a guest host, how do I include the regular host’s name in my work-cited-list entry?

You should not include the regular host’s name in the work-cited-list entry. Include the guest host’s name in the “Author” slot of the entry, since… Read More

If I am citing an image from a database, and no information is provided about the artist, do I need to seek out the information for my citation?

No. If you cite an image from a database, your works-cited-list entry should only provide the information you are given. Read More

In my works-cited-list entry, how do I give the title of a foreign work that is provided on the title page in both English and the original language?

When referring to a work in a bilingual volume in which titles appear in both languages, give both titles and interpolate a slash between them. Read More

I am citing several television episodes titled “Pilot.” How do I differentiate among them in my parenthetical citations?

There is more than one way to distinguish among several television episodes titled “Pilot.” Here are two options. Option 1 List each episode in your… Read More

If I am writing about two people with the last name Anderson, and one uses the suffix Sr., where do I place the suffix?

List the full name of each person and provide the suffix after the last name of the person to whom it belongs. In MLA style,… Read More

If I have a work by one author and a work by that author and coauthors in my works-cited-list, how do I order my entries?

A work by one author should be listed before a work by that author and a coauthor. Rappaport, Joanne. The Disappearing Mestizo: Configuring Difference in… Read More

How Publishing Work as a Student Shaped My College Writing Experience

by Talya Phelps

Publishing work during college can help students learn to enjoy writing academic research papers Read More