If I cite from a book that has an introduction, but I do not cite the introduction, should I include the introduction’s author in my works-cited-list entry?

Authors of introductions, prefaces, afterwords, and the like—collectively called front and back matter—are not usually essential to identifying a work and can be omitted from… Read More

Do you have to provide the author’s name in a parenthetical citation for a work of common literature such as The Iliad?

Yes, unless you have already mentioned the author’s name in your prose. Just because a work is famous doesn’t mean you can omit the name of its… Read More

How do I cite information about a movie from a website like IMDb?

Basic publication facts about a movie (e.g., the title, director, year of release) should be taken from the version of the movie you watch, when… Read More

How do I alphabetize tweets in my works-cited-list?

Ignore symbols when alphabetizing. Thus, to alphabetize tweets in a works-cited list, ignore the @ and start with the first letter of the username: Works Cited @humcommons. Read More

How do I cite a patent?

To cite a patent, follow the MLA format template. List the owner of the patent in the “Author” slot, the title of the patent or… Read More

When an endnote refers to a source that provides more information on a topic, should I also include the source in the works-cited-list?

Yes, you should provide a works-cited-list entry if you refer the reader to a source for more information on a topic. Do not provide the full… Read More

What You Can Omit When Quoting Sources

by Angela Gibson

There is an entire category of material that you do not reproduce . . . Read More

How do I cite an entry in a reference work?

Cite an entry in a reference work the way you would cite any source: follow the MLA format template. If the entry is signed, begin with… Read More

How do I cite an online lecture or speech?

To cite an online lecture or speech, follow the MLA format template. List the name of the presenter, followed by the title of the lecture. Read More

How do I cite an author’s name known only by initials?

If a source is written by an author who is known only by initials, you have several options. Treat the Initials as a Unit One… Read More