How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite peer-reviewed and academic journal articles in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a journal article in your Works Cited page:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #–#.
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Smith and Jones 12)
Narrative
Smith and Jones argue that...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Put the article title in quotation marks.
- Italicize the journal name.
- Use "vol." and "no." before volume and issue.
- Include page range.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your journal article.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.
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Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted MLA citation in seconds.
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