Referring to the CDC in Your Writing

The CDC is often referred to by its acronym. In formal writing, though, you need to introduce the acronym the first time you use it. To do this, give the organization’s name in full first and then the shortened version in parentheses:

Once the acronym has been introduced, you can use CDC for the rest of your paper.

Creating an In-text Citation for the CDC

Every source you use in your writing needs an in-text citation. If your first mention of the CDC is in one of your in-text citations, you need to define the acronym at the same time.

In a parenthetical citation, give the name in full followed by the acronym in square brackets:

In a narrative citation, both the acronym and the date are given in parentheses:

Once the acronym has been introduced, your in-text citations look like this:

Adding the Date to CDC Sources

Some CDC sources may not have a clear date. If no date is given, use n.d. in your citations:

If a website gives the date a page was last updated, use this date in your citations.

Don’t use a date for the last review of a website, though, since the content may not have changed when it was reviewed. In that case, use the original date of publication. 

Adding CDC Sources to your Reference List 

To meet APA requirements, you also need to list every source you use in your reference list. Use the following APA format to cite a page or article from the CDC’s website:

If your source doesn’t have a date, use, use n.d. and add a retrieval date before the URL: 

Always use the full name of the organization in your reference list:

If you need additional help with APA referencing, check out our 24/7 proofreading services. One of our APA experts can help polish your work, including the citations and references. 

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When to Cite the PowerPoint

First, a word of caution: If the information you want to cite from the PowerPoint originally comes from another source – if, for example, it is a quote from a book – you need to follow the guidance for citing that source type.

If the PowerPoint itself is the original source of the information you want to cite, you need to follow the guidance in this post.

Where to Cite the PowerPoint

In APA style, you’ll need to cite the PowerPoint in the text and, in some cases, include it in the reference list at the end of your essay. Let’s look at each of those in turn and see why sometimes the presentation has no place in the reference list.

In-Text Citation

APA uses an author–date style for in-text citations (those that appear in the body of your essay). But for PowerPoints, an added consideration will determine whether details other than the name of the author and the year of the presentation are needed: does your audience have access to the PowerPoint?

If Your Audience Has Access to the PowerPoint

• For a parenthetical citation, you’ll need to include the author’s surname and the year in parentheses, like this:

(Carter, 2023)

• For a narrative citation, you’ll need to include the year in parentheses immediately after naming the author in the text, like this:

Carter (2023)

If Your Audience Does Not Have Access to the PowerPoint

If your audience does not have access to the PowerPoint, it is effectively a personal communication. Therefore, you’ll need to follow the same system used for other such communications, a process that will involve more detail, as described below.

• For a parenthetical citation, you’ll need to give the author’s initial(s) and surname, the phrase personal communication, and as precise a date as possible. It should look something like this:

(D. Carter, personal communication, February 21, 2023)

• For a narrative citation, you’ll need to write the phrase personal communication and the date of the presentation in parentheses after the author’s name, like this:

D. Carter (personal communication, February 21, 2023)

If You’re Quoting Directly From the PowerPoint

To include a direct quote from a written source, you would include a page number. The equivalent for a PowerPoint presentation is to include the slide number after the year, like this:

(Carter, 2023, slide 6)

or

Carter (2023, slide 6)

Reference List

When it comes to whether and how to include the PowerPoint in your reference list, the crucial question, again, is whether your audience will have access to it. There are three possibilities, which we’ll look at in turn.

PowerPoint Slides Available Online to Anyone

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is freely available online, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Host Site. URL

PowerPoint Slides Available Online With Log-In

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is, for example, on a classroom website and can be accessed by your audience using a log-in, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Site Name. URL

Because the site requires the user to log in, you’ll need to make sure the URL links to the login page.

PowerPoint Slides Not Available to Your Audience

If you cited the PowerPoint as a personal communication, it will not be available to your audience. Remember that the purpose of the reference list is to allow your audience to find the same source. If they can’t access it, don’t include it.

Summary

Following this guidance, you should be able to cite a PowerPoint in APA style confidently. Remember to ask yourself the following:

• Is the PowerPoint the original source of the information?
  • If so, follow the guidance in this post to cite the PowerPoint itself.
  • If not, follow the separate guidance for how to cite the original source of the information.
• Will your audience be able to access the PowerPoint?
  • If so, provide an in-text citation and include the source in your reference list.
  • If not, include additional detail in the in-text citation and don’t put the source in your reference list.

If you’re still getting in a muddle over citations and referencing or if you would simply like the peace of mind that comes with having them checked by an expert, we have skilled proofreaders available 24-7 who can help. You can even try out our services for free.

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Who Uses MLA Style?

MLA is used in scholarly writing in the humanities, commonly in disciplines such as literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. The primary purpose of MLA style is to provide a uniform and consistent format for academic papers, making understanding and locating information easier for readers.

What Are Fonts?

A font is a specific style, design, and size of text characters, including letters, numbers, and punctuation marks used for written communication. Fonts are fundamental to typography, which is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language visually appealing and readable.

Fonts encompass various visual characteristics, including the following.

      Typeface

      A typeface is the overall design or style of a set of characters. It defines the visual appearance of the letters and symbols. Common typefaces include Times New Roman, Arial, and Helvetica. Each typeface has its own characteristics, such as the shape of the letters, the thickness of the strokes, and the spacing between characters.

      Family

      A font family is a group of related typefaces that share similar design elements but come in different variations, such as regular, bold, italic, and bold italic. For example, the Arial font family includes Arial Regular, Arial Bold, Arial Italic, and Arial Bold Italic.

      Size

      Font size refers to the height of the characters, measured in points. The point is a standard unit of measurement in typography. Common font sizes for printed material range from 10-point to 12-point, with larger sizes used for headings and titles.

      Weight

      Font weight indicates how thick or thin the strokes of the characters are. Fonts can be categorized as light, regular, bold, or extra bold, among others. Font weight plays a role in emphasizing or de-emphasizing text within a document.

      Style

      Font style includes variations, such as italic, oblique, or bold, which alter the appearance of the characters. Italic fonts, for instance, slant the characters to the right while bold fonts make the characters thicker and darker.

      Serif vs. Sans Serif

      Fonts are often categorized into two main groups: serif and sans serif. Serif fonts have small decorative lines, or serifs, at the ends of characters, which can add a more traditional and formal appearance. Sans serif fonts lack these serifs and are typically considered more modern and straightforward.

      Decorative Fonts

      Some fonts are highly decorative and are used for artistic or specialized purposes, such as display fonts for logos, titles, or special occasions. These fonts often have unique and eye-catching designs.

Fonts play a crucial role in conveying the tone, style, and readability of written content. Choosing the right font for a particular project or context is essential for effective communication because it can impact how readers perceive and engage with the text. Different fonts are used in various media, from printed materials, such as books and newspapers, to digital content on websites and in software applications.

Why Do I Need to Choose a Font for MLA Formatting?

Choosing the right font for your MLA-formatted paper is essential for the following reasons.

      Readability

      A legible font ensures that your paper is easy to read, which is crucial for your readers, who are likely to be professors, graders, and peers.

      Uniformity

      MLA formatting guidelines aim to standardize academic papers, including their appearance. Consistency in font choice contributes to the overall professionalism of your work. Some font choices can add a variable to the page count, so style guides select font options from comparable fonts and font sizes.

      Adherence to Guidelines

      Following MLA guidelines, including font selection, demonstrates your commitment to academic integrity and respect for the rules of your discipline.

What Font Does MLA Format Use?

The ninth edition of The MLA Handbook, which is the definitive source for MLA guidelines, does not specify a particular font. However, it does offer the following recommendations.

      Use a Legible Font

      Regardless of the font you choose, it must be legible. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are popular choices because of their readability.

      Use a Standard Font Size

      The recommended font size for MLA formatting is 12-point. This size strikes a balance between being readable and conserving space.

      Avoid Decorative Fonts

      Though using fancy or decorative fonts may be tempting, sticking with plain, straightforward options is best. Remember, the goal is to maintain professionalism and readability.

      Maintain Consistency

      Whichever font you choose, make sure to use it consistently throughout your paper. Don’t switch fonts within the same document.

      Pay Attention to Formatting Details

      Beyond font selection, MLA has specific guidelines for headings, margins, line spacing, and more. Be sure to follow these rules to meet MLA standards comprehensively.

The preferred font choice among professors and writing instructors is often Times New Roman in 12-point.

In academic writing, following formatting guidelines is essential to maintain professionalism and ensure your work is taken seriously. When it comes to font selection in MLA format, remember to prioritize readability, adhere to the guidelines, and maintain consistency throughout your paper. By paying attention to these details, you’ll be well on your way to creating a well-formatted, polished MLA paper that impresses your instructors and peers alike.

Proofreading Services

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How to Cite a Journal Article on the Reference Page

If you’re citing a journal article in APA style, include the following elements:

Author(s): List the last name and initials of the authors. If there are multiple authors, use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.

Year: Provide the publication year of the article in parentheses.

Title of the Article: Capitalize the first letter of the first word and proper nouns. The title of the article should be in sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized), not in title case.

Title of the Journal: Italicize the title of the journal and capitalize all major words.

Volume and Issue Numbers: Include the volume number in italics, followed by the issue number in parentheses (if applicable).

Page Range: Provide the page numbers of the article. Use the format “pp. xx–xx” for multiple pages.

DOI or URL: If available, include the DOI or URL of the journal article.

Follow this basic format for your reference list entries:

If a journal article has multiple authors, you need to follow a slightly different format depending on the number of authors. For an article with up to 20 authors, list all the names in your reference list entry separated by commas. Here’s an example of a journal article with two authors:

And here’s an example of a journal article with five authors:

For more than 20 authors, include the names of the first 19 followed by an ellipsis, then list the final author:

Remember to use a hanging indent for each reference list entry and to italicize the journal title and volume number. Use an en dash rather than a hyphen for page ranges.

How to Cite a Journal Article in the Text

Both parenthetical and narrative citations in-text citations in APA use an “author–date” format, so citing a source requires the author’s name and year of publication.

Parenthetical Journal Article Citations

For parenthetical citations, list the author’s name and the year of publication in parentheses after the referenced text:

The study found a significant correlation between mouthwash usage and gum health (Smith, 2022).

For citations with two authors, use an ampersand to separate the names in parentheses, followed by the year of publication:

For citations with three or more authors, include the first author’s name followed by et al. and the year of publication:

Narrative Journal Article Citations

For narrative citations, simply provide the year of publication in parentheses after the author’s name:

For works with two authors, state the names of the author separated by “and,” followed by the publication year in parentheses:

For works with three or more authors, state the name of the first author, followed by et al., and then include the publication year in parentheses:

Quoting a Source

When quoting a journal article, make sure to include page numbers in both parenthetical and narrative citations:

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In this post, we will cover style guides in general, MLA Style in particular, and important resources for keeping up to date on MLA documentation.

What Are Style Guides?

Style guides are formal, published documents that establish a set of standards important for maintaining consistency and clarity in academic writing. You might think of them as a type of instruction manual that provides information concerning areas such as the mechanics of prose, documenting your sources, and formatting and writing your research paper. Academic style guides will vary across different disciplines.

Common examples of academic style guides include:

●  The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago Style)

●  The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Style)

●  The Modern Language Association Handbook (MLA Style)

What Is MLA Style?

The guidelines for MLA Style can be found in the MLA Handbook. This handbook is especially helpful for the student writer in a humanities classroom. In it, students will find guidelines on spelling, punctuation, and style, but also on how to format their paper, cite sources in-text, and document these same sources in a list of works cited.

Documenting Your Sources

When writing a paper in MLA Style, you’ll need to remember to document all your sources both in-text and in a list of works cited. Documenting your sources will help readers to understand your work. It will also help you to avoid instances of plagiarism in your writing.

In-Text Citations

To document your sources in-text, place a brief reference (author’s last name and page number) in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase:

If you happen to introduce the author’s name in the sentence before the quote or paraphrase, a page number in parentheses will suffice:

Works Cited

Every in-text citation should have a corresponding entry in your list of works cited at the end of your paper. Regardless of your source type (books, online works, etc.,), each entry will need to include what is known in MLA Style as core elements like author, title, and publication date. Remember that entries are listed in alphabetical order (by author’s last name), double-spaced, and with a hanging indent. The entry for the quote from Danticat’s novel above will look like this:

Resources for MLA Style

It’s important to remember that style guides evolve due to shifts in language and changes in technology. The MLA Handbook is currently in its ninth edition. This most recent version has added a completely new section on inclusive language and has also expanded its guidance on formatting papers, citing sources, quoting and paraphrasing, and avoiding plagiarism.

Whether you’re a student or a scholar in the humanities, you’ll want to make sure to keep up to date on the latest changes to MLA Style by consulting the MLA Handbook. You can also check out Proofed’s MLA 9th referencing guide for editors and researchers, which includes templates for 50+ source types.

Finally, Proofed can help you to reference your sources correctly in your writing. To learn more, submit your first 500-word document for free!

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One crucial aspect of maintaining consistency and professionalism in your work is correctly formatting dates. In this guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of formatting dates in the Modern Language Association (MLA) style and provide you with examples to ensure your writing stands out for all the right reasons.

General Guidelines for Formatting Dates in MLA Style

Month Abbreviation

When formatting dates in MLA style, use the abbreviated form of the month followed by a period. The month abbreviations are as follows:

May, June, and July remain as they are.

Day and Year Placement

The day and year are both written in Arabic numerals. In the main text, you’re free to use either the month-day-year order or the day-month-year order – you must use the same format consistently.

If you’re using the month-day-year order, you should include a comma after the day. If the date appears mid-sentence, MLA requires that you include a comma after the year as well:

The order you choose will likely depend on your dialect preference. American English tends to favor month-day-year, while British English uses day-month-year.

Month-day-year:

Day-month-year:

Works Cited Entries With Dates

MLA recommends including the full date for certain types of sources, such as newspaper articles, in the Works Cited list. When doing so, you should follow the day-month-year order, regardless of the format you used in the main text. Here’s a fictional example of how a date might appear in a Works Cited list entry:

Why Correct Date Formatting Matters

Accurate and uniform date formatting enhances the aesthetics of your work and contributes to its clarity and ease of comprehension. When readers encounter properly formatted dates, they can quickly grasp the chronology of the events you’re discussing.

Consistent formatting demonstrates your attention to detail and your dedication to meeting academic standards.

Conclusion

If you’re following the MLA style, adhering to its guidelines on formatting dates not only ensures consistency but also aids your readers in understanding your work. By following the examples and guidelines outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the MLA style.

And if you’d like an expert to check your references, citations, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and more, try out a free sample of our proofreading service today!

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Here, we’ll go over how to capitalize a book title according to the rules of three of the most common reference styles: the American Psychological Association (APA), the Modern Language Association (MLA), and the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), which is also referred to as Chicago or Turabian style. (If you’re in a rush, scroll down to the bottom to check out our quick reference list.)

Differences Between Sentence Case and Title Case

Before we begin walking through the different style guides, let’s go over the difference between the two general approaches to capitalizing titles: sentence case and title case.

Sentence Case

When capitalizing a book title using sentence case, only the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (if present), and any proper nouns should be capitalized. For example:

Title Case

Although there are some nuances among style guides, the general rule when using title case is to capitalize the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (if present), nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The three books above in title case would be:

APA

APA has a long-held tradition of using sentence case for books in reference lists. During the revisions of the latest version, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition, the main aim was to prioritize accessibility, and the style team decided that sentence case for book titles was more readable.

An added benefit of having book titles in sentence case is that they are easier to find because they stand out from the rest of the reference items. Remember, when using sentence case, only the first word of the title is capitalized unless it’s a proper noun. For example:

To learn more about using APA referencing, check out our APA Guide.

MLA

The MLA capitalization rules for book titles in references generally follow title case and specifically dictate that the first and last word of a title, the first word of a subtitle, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, subordinating conjunctions, and principal words that follow a hyphen should all be capitalized. Articles, prepositions (regardless of length), coordinating conjunctions, to in infinitives, and the second word after a hyphen in a compound modifier should not be capitalized. These are a few examples of books following MLA’s capitalization rules:

One caveat in MLA referencing is that sources without a title, such as untitled essays or social media posts, should be quoted with the first few words of the text, and follow the same capitalization.

To learn more about using MLA Referencing, check out our MLA Guide.

CMOS

Although there are also several differences between CMOS references and other style guides, and even two different reference systems within CMOS itself, the capitalization rules for book titles are similar to MLA with a few additional directives. Their rules also follow title case and advise that the first word and the last word of a title and subtitle should be capitalized as well as all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, subordinating conjunctions, and principal words that follow a hyphen.

Articles, prepositions (regardless of length), coordinating conjunctions, the word to in infinitives, and the second word after a hyphen in a compound modifier should not be capitalized. Additionally, the conjunctions and, but, for, or, and nor, and the word as should not be capitalized. A proper name that would be lowercase in text (e.g., Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) and the second part of a Latin species name should also not be capitalized. Here are a few examples of correctly capitalized CMOS book titles:

To learn more about Chicago referencing, check out our Chicago Author-Date Guide, and our Chicago Notes and Bibliography Guide.

Summary and Reference Guide

Although these may seem like a lot of capitalization rules, you’ll get the hang of them with a little practice. Below, we added a list of the major rules for APA, MLA, and CMOS for quick reference.

APA:

●  Use sentence case.

●  Capitalize the first word of the title.

●  Capitalize the last word of the title.

MLA:

●  Use title case.

●  Do capitalize the first and last word.

●  Do capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and subordinating conjunctions.

●  Do capitalize principal words that follow a hyphen.

●  Do not capitalize articles, prepositions (regardless of length), coordinating conjunctions, and the word to in infinitives.

●  Do not capitalize the second word after a hyphen in a compound modifier.

CMOS

●  Use title case.

●  Do capitalize the first and last word.

●  Do capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and subordinating conjunctions.

●  Do capitalize principal words that follow a hyphen.

●  Do not capitalize articles, prepositions (regardless of length), coordinating conjunctions, and the word to in infinitives.

●  Do not capitalize the second word after a hyphen in a compound modifier.

●  Do not capitalize the conjunctions and, but, for, or, and nor, and the word as in any state.

●  Do not capitalize a proper name that would be lowercase in text (e.g., Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).

●  Do not capitalize the second part of a Latin species name.

If you’d like any help proofreading or formatting your references, please reach out to us. You can even try a sample of our services for free. Best of luck with your referencing!

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●  What is a TED Talk?

●  How to cite a TED Talk from the website

●  How to cite a TED Talk from YouTube

●  How to cite a TED Talk transcript

●  How to Cite a TED Talk in the text

Keep reading to get started.

What is a TED Talk?

TED Talks are short, engaging presentations on a wide range of topics given at TED (which stands for technology, entertainment, and design) conferences and independently organized TEDx events. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of brief, thought-provoking talks. These increasingly popular talks cover various fields, including science, technology, education, entertainment, and the arts.

The format of a TED Talk typically involves a speaker, often an expert or thought leader in their respective field, delivering a compelling talk in front of a live audience. Speakers are given a time limit, usually around 18 minutes, to concisely present their ideas. Many TED Talks are recorded and made available for free on the TED website and YouTube, making them accessible for research purposes.

How to Cite a TED Talk From the Website

MLA citations for TED Talks from the TED website include the following basic information:

●  The speaker’s name

●  The title of the presentation

●  The name of the organization hosting the talk (TED)

●  The date of the talk

●  The URL

To cite a TED Talk on a Works Cited page, follow these guidelines:

Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the TED Talk.” TED, Date of the talk, URL

Here’s an example of how you would structure it in practice:

Doyle, John. “The Power of Coffee.” TED, 1 June 2010, https://www.ted.com/talks/john_doyle_the_power_of_coffee

Remember that MLA requires a hanging indent for Works Cited pages, which is when the first line of a paragraph starts at the left margin and all subsequent lines are indented to the right.

How to Cite a TED From YouTube

If you’re citing a TED Talk from YouTube, rather than the TED website, the format varies slightly from that given above. In addition to the speaker and title of the talk, you will need to list the platform (YouTube), the uploader (typically TED or TEDx Talks), and the upload date. For example:

Doyle, John. “The Power of Coffee.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 1 June 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXSjc-pbXk4

How to Cite a TED Talk Transcript

If you’re referencing information pulled from a TED Talk transcript, rather than a video, follow this basic format:

Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the TED Talk.” TED, Date of the talk, URL (if available)

Here’s what this format might look like on a Works Cited page, including the hanging indent:

Doyle, John. “The Power of Coffee.” TED, 1 June 2010, https://www.ted.com/talks/john_doyle_the_power_of_coffee/transcript

Keep in mind that if you accessed the transcript through a source other than the TED website, you may need to adjust the citation accordingly.

How to Cite a TED Talk in the Text

MLA in-text citations for a TED Talk should include the speaker’s name and the timestamp indicating the location of the information within the video (if applicable).

If the speaker’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you only need to include the timestamp in the parentheses. For example:

In these examples, 3:15–4:30 represents the timestamp indicating the location of the information within the video (3 minutes and 15 seconds to 4 minutes and 30 seconds). This timestamp helps readers locate the specific part of the TED Talk where the information was presented.

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So if you’re using these works (or any classic literature) as source material, keep reading to learn how to properly cite them in MLA format. Remember to check out our MLA Referencing Guide for more information.

Citing Classic Literature in MLA Format

To cite classic literature in MLA format on the Works Cited page, include the following basic information:

●  The author’s last name

●  The author’s first name

●  The title of the work

●  The container volume if applicable

●  The volume or edition number if applicable

●  The year of publication

●  The publication information

●  The page range

Here’s what the entry will look like for a book:

Author Last Name, Author First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Year of Publication.

To cite a direct quotation, create an in-text citation that includes the author’s last name and the page number. Here’s an example of an MLA citation from the The Catcher in the Rye:

When citing classic literature, keep in mind that the publication details (publisher and year) may vary depending on the specific edition of the book you’re using. Always verify the information using the book’s title page or the copyright page to ensure accuracy in your citation.

Next, let’s take a look at how to cite the original publications of nine prominent classic works.

Of Mice and Men

On a Works Cited page, use the following format to cite Of Mice and Men, a book by John Steinbeck:

And a parenthetical citation would look like this:

The Catcher in the Rye

You would use the following format to cite J.D. Salinger’s book The Catcher in the Rye on a Works Cited page:

A parenthetical citation would look like this:

The Great Gatsby

Use the following format to cite F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book The Great Gatsby on a Works Cited page:

The parenthetical citation would appear as follows:

Fahrenheit 451

The following format is used on a Works Cited page to cite the book Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury:

Here’s what a parenthetical citation looks like:

Animal Farm

On a Works Cited page, use the following format to cite George Orwell’s book Animal Farm:

Here’s a parenthetical citation:

A Raisin in the Sun

Use the following format to cite Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun on a Works Cited page:

A parenthetical citation follows:

“The Yellow Wallpaper”

On a Works Cited page, use the following format to cite the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, originally published in The New England Magazine:

And the parenthetical citation would look like this:

Frankenstein

Use the following format to cite Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein (full title Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus) on a Works Cited page:

Here’s a parenthetical citation:

The Canterbury Tales

On a Works Cited page, use the following basic format to cite a tale from the collection The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer:

A parenthetical citation, using a direct quote from “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” would look like this:

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What exactly are containers, and how do you properly cite them in MLA style? Read on for our quick guide. Or check out our MLA referencing guide for more information.

What Are Containers in Referencing?

When it comes to sources, containers are larger works that contain smaller works. Containers are often a collection of individual works combined into one publication. Sometimes, you’ll use the entire container as a source. At other times, you’ll use a smaller work within the container.

Some examples of containers include:

●  A journal, which contains individual articles

●  An anthology, which contains essays, poems, or short stories

●  A website, which contains individual web pages

●  A series, which contains individual episodes

●  An album, which contains individual songs

Formatting Containers

As with any longer work, when you write the title of the container, you should format it in italics. The title of the smaller work contained within should be in quotation marks:

These rules apply whether you mention the titles in running text or in a works cited list.

How Do You Cite Containers in MLA?

When you create an in-text citation for a source that includes a container, the rules are the same as those for any other in-text citation. MLA requires that you include the author’s name in parentheses. For print works, you’ll need to include the page number(s) as well:

If the work has two authors, include both names, separated by “and.” If the source has three or more, include only the first name, followed by “et al.”:

Children who watched TV late at night had lower test scores (Hare and Ross 32).

If, however, there’s no author, you need to include the title of the work instead in parentheses. If you’re citing the entire container, place the title in italics. If you’re citing a smaller work from a container, it should be in quotation marks.

Containers in the Works Cited List

In MLA style, if you’re referencing an item contained within a larger work, the works cited list entry will look something like this:

Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. “Title of Smaller Work.” Title of Container, publisher information, page numbers.

The requirements for the publisher information (e.g., location, date) and additional details you need to include (e.g., the edition number for a book) will vary depending on the source type.

Regarding containers, though, each item should follow the same rules: The smaller work is contained in quotes, and the container is listed afterward, followed by a comma. Here’s an example for a journal article:

Harris, James. “Effects of Caffeine.” Food Sciences, vol. 2, no. 12, 2018, Brighton, p. 4.

Conclusion

Containers are everywhere in the world of referencing, so if you’re writing a paper in MLA style, we hope you now feel confident citing sources in containers or the containers themselves. If you want to make sure your references and citations are perfect, though, our expert editors are here to help! Submit 500 words of your work for free to try it out.

FAQs

What are containers in referencing?

A container is a larger work that contains smaller works. For example, an edited book is a compilation of individual chapters with different editors.

How do you format containers in MLA?

You should format titles of larger works, including containers, in italics. You should set titles of smaller works, such as articles, chapters, and episodes, in quotation marks.

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