How to cite on-line sources using MLA Standards
Citing Materials from Online Sources requires more information than citing from a book.
Online Sources:
Citations for online sources, like those for print sources, should provide information that both identifies a
source and allows that source to be located and retrieved again. All citations should include the medium of
publication (Web) and the date the content was accessed. If the source is difficult to locate or your instructor
requires a URL, list the complete address within angle brackets after the date. In many cases, it is also necessary
to identify the Web site or database that has made the material available online.
Because there are currently few standards that govern the organization and presentation of online publications, the
information that is available to fulfill these objectives can vary widely from resource to resource. In general,
references to online works require more information than references to print sources.
See sections 5.6.1-4 in the MLA Handbook for more complete information on creating citations for online
sources.
Web page:
This example includes the optional URL. All other examples below use the shorter citation format.
Cornell University Library. "Introduction to Research." Cornell University Library. Cornell University, 2009. Web.
19 June 2009 .
Sources:
"Personality Psychology" About.com Guide. By Kendra Cherry, Web. Sept. 28, 2011 http://psychology.about.com/od/perso
nalitydevelopment/p/personality.htm
The following example uses the citing information as the text for the exact URL link.
"Personality Psychology"
About.com Guide. By Kendra Cherry, Web. Sept. 28, 2011
Revised 09/28/2011 J. Beringer 0900.