MLA Referencing Guide

MLA Referencing Overview

The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in literature, language studies, cultural studies, and other disciplines within the arts and humanities. This guide follows the 9th edition of the MLA Handbook, published in 2021.

There are two types of citation in MLA referencing: in-text citations, which are found in the main body of the work and contain a fraction of the full bibliographical information, and the Works Cited list (sometimes called the reference list), which is located at the end of the main work and lists full information for all sources mentioned within the work.

Key MLA Rule: In-text citations in MLA do not cite the year like many other referencing styles. Instead, you cite the page number. For example: 'Jones (87)' or '(Jones, 87)'. The Works Cited list is organised alphabetically by the author's last name and uses a hanging indent for each entry.

In-Text Citations in MLA

MLA in-text citations use the author's last name and the page number, without a comma between them.

Author named in text:
Jones argues that chocolate has many uses (87).

Author named in parentheses:
Chocolate is known to have many uses (Jones 87).

Two authors:
(Jones and Smith 45)

Three or more authors:
(Jones et al. 112)

1. Books

Books with One Author

Last name, first name. Title. Edition (if not first), Publisher, Year.

Davis, Bryan. A History of Chocolate. Delectable Publications, 2023.
Davis, Bryan. A History of Chocolate. 3rd ed., Delectable Publications, 2023.

Books with Two or Three Authors

Last name, first name, and first name last name. Title. Publisher, Year.

Jones, Felicity, and Sam Hughes. Eating Out: A Definitive Restaurant Handbook. Delectable Publications, 2023.
Evans, Drew, Fenella McDonald, and Trig Jackson. Getting the Best Service. Delectable Publications, 2026.

Books with Four or More Authors

Only the first author's name appears in-text followed by 'et al.' In the Works Cited list, you may list all authors or just the first author followed by 'et al.'

James, Patrick, et al. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Industry. Delectable Publications, 2023.

Chapter in an Edited Book

When citing a single chapter in a larger book, include the page range (pp.) that the chapter spans.

King, Sandra. "The Best Wines and Where to Find Them." Fine Wine: A Guide, edited by Edward Loftus, Delectable Publications, 2022, pp. 28-46.

Multiple Books by the Same Author

List works chronologically by year. For works published in the same year, use 'a', 'b', 'c' after the year.

Brown, Graham. Mexican Food. Delectable Publications, 2021.
Brown, Graham. Japanese Food. Delectable Publications, 2022.
Brown, Graham. Chinese Food. Delectable Publications, 2023a.
Brown, Graham. Italian Food. Delectable Publications, 2023b.

2. Articles

Print Journals

Last name, First name. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year, pp. page range.

Jenkins, Oliver. "Unusual Recipes and Cantonese Cuisine." Culinary Research, vol. 5, no. 8, 2023, pp. 47-59.

Journal Articles Accessed Online

Jenkins, Oliver. "Unusual Recipes and Cantonese Cuisine." Culinary Research, vol. 5, no. 8, 2023, pp. 47-59. JSTOR, https://www.culinaryresearchjournal.com/jenkinsocanteonese. Accessed 15 March 2026.

Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Bell, Yvette. "Man with Unusual Tastes Eats Chalk for Breakfast." The Weekly Herald, 23 April 2023, p. 4.

Lees, Peter. "Freaky Eaters." The Weekly Herald [Manchester], 14 December 2023, www.theweeklyheraldonline.com/freakyeaters2023. Accessed 21 February 2026.

3. Online Sources

Websites

If no individual author, credit the organisation or website name. Include the date of access.

HealthTips. "Superfoods and Where to Find Them." HealthTips.com, 2026, www.healthtipsarticles.com/superfoods. Accessed 25 March 2026.

Emails

James, Deidre. "New Business Plan for McDowells." Received by the author, 12 April 2023. Email.

Social Media

Proud, Frances. "Food Lovers Group." Facebook, 5 June 2026, www.facebook.com/foodloversgroup. Accessed 25 September 2026.

4. Images and Visual Mediums

Films and DVDs

The World's Best Curries. Directed by Jackson Hertz, Foodie Studios, 2023.

YouTube Videos

Yummydishes. "Egg Custard – Simple Recipe!" YouTube, 12 October 2023, www.youtube.com/yummydisheseggcustard. Accessed 25 March 2026.

Broadcasts

"World Kitchen: Nigeria." World Kitchen, BBC1, London, 30 July 2023. Television.

Images and Photographs

Hewer, Drella. Women Enjoying a Cup of Tea. 2022. Photograph, Food Photography Library, London.

Hewer, Drella. Women Enjoying a Cup of Tea. 2022. PhotoToday, www.phototoday/dhewerteaphoto. Accessed 14 April 2026.

Podcasts

Yummydishes. "Innovative Baking." Innovative Food, BBC, 16 October 2023, www.foodiepodcasts.com/yummydishesinnovativebaking.

5. Other Source Types

Reports

Marks and Spencers. A Report on the Sales of '2 Dine for £10'. M&S Publications, 2023.

Dissertations

Neath, G. An Examination of Mexican Food in Popular Culture. 2023. Oxford Brookes University, Master's thesis.

Acts of Parliament

Food Act (c. 5). 2022.

Government Publications

Great Britain. UK Government. Nutrition and Young People. Government Publications, 2026.

Interviews

Ferman, Helen. Interview. "Discussing Cooking." By Orla Bill, Delicious Magazine, 6 October 2023, pp. 23-24.

Presentations and Lectures

Yates, Richard. "The Benefits of Herbs." 3 August 2023. PowerPoint presentation.

Music Recordings

Luce, Frankie. Delicious. Delectable Music, 2022. CD recording.

Dictionaries

"Food." Def. 1. Wordy's Modern Dictionary. Delectable Publications, 2023.

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