Following these MLA website citation examples helps students create accurate entries in works cited lists. Finding website sources for your humanities or art history paper is easy if you remember to evaluate each website carefully. Be sure to evaluate online sources for the reliability and authority of the website’s publishers.
MLA Website Citation Basic Format
MLA uses nine core elements within a container system for flexibility. Adapt these MLA website citation examples to fit your sources.
Article on Website With Author
It’s best to use articles with known authors for your sources. This helps establish the authority of the source. Include the access date, if required by your teacher.
Works Cited Format
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle of Article.” Website, Day Month Year, URL.
In-Text Citation
(Author’s Last Name)
Example – Works Cited
Mabillard, Amanda. “Shakespeare on Jealousy.” Shakespeare Online. 10 Aug. 2013, shakespeare-online.com/quotes/shakespeareonjealousy.html.
Example – In-Text Citation
(Mabillard)
Article on Website With Unknown Author
If you find a great article on an established organization’s website, but there is no author listed, use the title of the article as the first element.
Works Cited Format
“Title of Page or Document.” Title of Website, Name of Organization Affiliated with the Website, Date of copyright or date last modified/updated, URL.
In-Text Citation Format
(“First word of the title”)
Example – Works Cited
“San Ildefonso Pottery: 1600 – 1930.” Indian Art and Culture, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, 21 Aug. 2019, indianartsandculture.org/current&eventID=4063.
Example – In-Text
(“San Illdefonso”)
MLA Citation Examples for Blog Posts
Blog posts can be useful sources for your MLA paper, too. Check with your instructor to make sure these sources are allowed for research purposes.
Works Cited Format
Author’s Last Name, First Name or Username. “Title of Blog Post.” Name of Blog, Blog Network/Publisher if given, Day Month Year, URL.
In-Text Citation Format
(Author’s last name)
Example – Works Cited
Morris, Sylvia. “Shakespeare and the Moon.” The Shakespeare Blog, 23 July 2019, theshakespeareblog.com/2019/07.
Example – In-Text
(Morris)
Social Media Post MLA Citation Example
Ask your teacher if you can add social media posts for works cited sources. If allowed, follow this citation format for works cited and in-text entries.
Works Cited Format
Author Last Name, First Name or Account Name. Description of Post. Social Media Platform, Day Month Year of Post, Time of Post, URL.
In-Text Citation
(Author’s last name)
Example – Works Cited
Dysart, Jane. The Future of Libraries. Facebook, 12 July 2019, 9:40 p.m., www.facebook.com/TheFutureofLibraries.
Example – In-Text
(Dysart)
- Omit the publisher if the title is the same as the name of the publisher.
- Access date is optional. Ask your teacher.
- Ask your teacher before including blog posts or social media comments.
Look for Other Sources
Although using websites for your MLA school paper is quick and easy, look for other sources such as scholarly journal articles, articles published by reputable magazine publishers and print books. Find articles with an author’s byline and review their credentials. Always look for sources published by credible sources. Researching can be fun! Enjoy the journey.