How do I cite dialogue spoken by a character in a video game?

To cite dialogue spoken by a character in a video game, transcribe the words you hear or copy the quote from the text box displaying… Read More

If I paraphrase a source that mentions other sources, which one do I cite?

You should consult an original source whenever possible. If, however, you paraphrase a source you did not personally consult, indicate this for your reader. Paraphrasing… Read More

How do I distinguish between different dictionary entries for the same term in my in-text citation?

To distinguish between different dictionary entries for the same term, follow the principle in our previous post on distinguishing between works with the same title:… Read More

How do I cite a self-published anthology with no editors?

List the name of the first contributor followed by et al. in the “Author” slot. Then provide the title of the anthology and the date of… Read More

How do I cite a product label or packaging information?

When you discuss or quote from a product label or packaging information, you do not generally need to create a works-cited-list entry. You can provide… Read More

A Guide to Citing Materials from Physical Archives and Collections

by Jennifer Rappaport

Here's a handy guide to citing materials in physical archives . . . Read More

Can I silently change the initial capital letter in a quotation to fit the quotation syntactically into my sentence?

No. As the MLA Handbook advises, “Unless indicated in square brackets or parentheses, changes must not be made in the spelling, capitalization, or interior punctuation of… Read More

If I cite sources with the same lead author but different coauthors, do I use et al.?

Yes. In MLA style, when a work has more than two authors or editors, the works-cited-list entry provides the name of the lead author or… Read More

If my paraphrase consists of several sentences, should a citation for the original source appear after each sentence?

No. The citation should appear only after the final sentence of the paraphrase. If, however, it will be unclear to your reader where your source’s… Read More

If I cite a source quoted in another source, am I obligated to check that the quotation is correct?

No, but it’s always best to consult the original and quote from it directly, if possible. Read More