Common MLA Source Type Sources Explained

Common MLA Source Type Sources Explained

As an MLA student, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the numerous source types and their corresponding citation styles. In this article, we'll break down the most common MLA source types, explaining how to properly cite them in your papers.

Government Reports and Documents

When citing government reports or documents, include the following details:

• The author(s) (if available)
• The title of the report or document
• The publication date
• The location of publication (city, state, and publisher)
• The MLA format for citing a government report is as follows:
  1. Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Report. City, State: Publisher, Year.
  2. Example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2019.

Online Sources

When citing online sources in MLA format, include the following details:

• The author(s) (if available)
• The title of the source
• The publication date
• The URL or DOI (digital object identifier)
• The page numbers (if applicable)

The general format for an online source is:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Source." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL.
2. Example: Johnson, Jane. "The Benefits of Meditation." Mindful Magazine, 10 Jan. 2020, www.mindfulmag.com/the-benefits-of-meditation.

Books

When citing books in MLA format, include the following details:

• The author(s)
• The title of the book
• The publication date
• The page numbers (if applicable)

The general format for a book is:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
2. Example: Williams, David. "The History of Science." ABC Publishers, 2018.

Journals and Periodicals

When citing journals and periodicals in MLA format, include the following details:

• The author(s)
• The title of the article or issue
• The publication date
• The page numbers (if applicable)

The general format for a journal article is:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Day Month Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers.
2. Example: Lee, Sarah. "The Impact of Technology on Society." Science Today, 15 Jan. 2020, pp. 12-20.

Audio and Video Sources

When citing audio or video sources in MLA format, include the following details:

• The author(s) (if available)
• The title of the source
• The publication date
• The duration of the recording (for audiobooks and podcasts)
• The URL or DOI (digital object identifier)

The general format for an audio or video source is:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Source." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, Duration.
2. Example: Brown, Emily. "The Benefits of Exercise." Fitness Magazine, 10 Jan. 2020, 30:00.

Music Sources

When citing music sources in MLA format, include the following details:

• The composer(s)
• The title of the piece
• The publication date (if applicable)

The general format for a music source is:

1. Composer's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Piece." Publisher, Year of Publication.
2. Example: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." ABC Publishers, 1791.

Podcasts

When citing podcasts in MLA format, include the following details:

• The author(s) (if available)
• The title of the episode or season
• The publication date
• The URL or DOI (digital object identifier)

The general format for a podcast is:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Episode." Title of Podcast, Day Month Year of Publication, URL.
2. Example: Smith, John. "Episode 5: The Benefits of Meditation." Mindful Monday, 10 Jan. 2020, www.mindfulmonday.com/episode-5-the-benefits-of-meditation.

Films and Television Shows

When citing films or television shows in MLA format, include the following details:

• The director(s) (if available)
• The title of the film or show
• The publication date
• The running time

The general format for a film or TV show is:

1. Director's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Film." Title of Studio, Year of Publication, Running Time.
2. Example: Spielberg, Steven. "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope." Lucasfilm Ltd., 1977, 121 min.

By mastering the most common MLA source types and their corresponding citation styles, you'll be well on your way to producing high-quality papers that showcase your knowledge and research skills.