How to Properly cite a website in MLA format

Plagiarism is a serious offense, even if you are copying from the web. With this tutorial, learn how to cite websites properly using MLA format and avoid any trouble.

You Will Need

• Web site

• Reason to cite it

• The MLA Handbook (optional)

Step 1: Start with author

List the author's last name followed by a comma and their first name. If there is no author given, cite the web site itself as the author. Follow this with a period and then a single space.

For variations and updates to this format, check out the latest edition of the MLA Handbook at your local library.

Step 2: List the title

List the article or page title that you are citing. Enclose the title in quotation marks with period inside the quotes and one space outside the quotes. If the title is generic, such as "Home Page" or "About Us," do not use quotes.

Step 3: Italicize the site

Type the name of the web site in italics followed by a period and a single space.

Step 4: Cite the publisher

Cite the publisher of the article or site followed by a comma and the year of publication and then a period.

Step 5: Note medium

Note that you are citing a web site by typing "Web," followed by period and a single space.

Step 6: Cite date accessed

Cite the date you last accessed the web site in the day/month/year format. Include the actual URL in angle brackets following the date, and complete the citation with a period.

Step 7: Use indent

Make sure the first line of your citation is flush left with the margin and that any subsequent lines of the same citation are indented one tab.