26/05/2025
Elevate Your Research: MLA 9 Made Simple
Why Proper Citation Matters
Ever found yourself lost in a sea of research, wondering how to give credit where it’s due? Proper citation isn’t just a nod to academic tradition—it’s a sign of respect for the ideas that shape our own. With the MLA 9th Edition, you have a clear, concise framework to showcase your sources and boost your credibility.
In-Text Citations: Keep It Simple
MLA in-text citations are all about brevity and clarity. When you quote or paraphrase, simply include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses:
“A well-cited paper shines brighter” (Smith 42).
No commas, no fuss—just the essentials. And if you mention the author in your sentence, you can drop the name from the parentheses:
According to Smith, “A well-cited paper shines brighter” (42).
Building Your Works Cited Page
At the end of your piece, your Works Cited list is your chance to shine. List entries alphabetically by author’s last name. Here’s the basic book format:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
For web sources, include the URL or DOI, plus the date you accessed it:
Lastname, Firstname. “Article Title.” Website Name, Publisher (if different), Publication Date, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Quick Tips for MLA 9
• Italicize titles of standalone works (books, websites).
• Use quotation marks for shorter works (articles, poems).
• Double-space everything—including between entries on your Works Cited page—and use a hanging indent.
• Stay consistent: small details (punctuation, capitalization) make a big impact.
Inspire Through Integrity
Citing your research isn’t a chore—it’s a celebration of collaboration across time and disciplines. When you honor your sources, you empower your readers to explore further and trust your work. So next time you sit down to write, let MLA 9th Edition be your guide to clarity, credibility, and connection. Your ideas deserve to stand on the shoulders of giants—proper citation shows the world you know it.
