How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA Style

Journal articles form a cornerstone of academic research, providing current scholarship, peer-reviewed findings, and specialized analysis that contributes significantly to the ongoing scholarly conversation within various fields. These articles, published in periodicals ranging from highly specialized academic journals to broader interdisciplinary publications, offer researchers access to the latest developments, emerging theories, and rigorous methodologies. Properly citing journal articles in MLA style is essential for several reasons. First, it acknowledges the intellectual contributions of the authors, giving them due credit for their research and insights. Second, it establishes the credibility of your own work by demonstrating that your arguments are built upon a foundation of reliable and authoritative sources. Finally, it provides readers with the necessary information to locate the original sources, enabling them to delve deeper into the topic and evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented.

This section will provide detailed guidelines on how to cite journal articles, both in print and online formats, according to the conventions of MLA 9th Edition. The guidelines will cover the core elements of a journal article citation, including author names,article titles, journal titles, volume and issue numbers, publication dates, page numbers, and Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) or URLs for online sources. Special attention will be given to the nuances of citing articles accessed through online databases and variations that may occur. By mastering these citation practices, researchers can ensure the accuracy and integrity of their scholarly work and participate effectively in the academic community.

Detailed Explanation of MLA Citation Elements

  1. Author. This could be an individual, a group, an organization, or a corporation.
    If no author is identified, begin with the title of the page or document.
    If the author and the publisher are the same, omit the author to avoid repetition.
  2. "Title of Page or Document." Put the title of the specific page or document you are citing in quotation marks.
    Capitalize all major words in the title.
    If there is no title for the specific page, describe the content briefly (e.g., Home page). Do not use quotation marks or italics for this description.
  3. Title of Website. Italicize the title of the overall website.
    Capitalize all major words in the website title.
    If the website title is the same as the author, omit the website title.
  4. Publisher or Sponsor of Site, This is the organization or entity responsible for the website.
    If there is no publisher, you can sometimes find this information in a copyright notice or an "About Us" section.
    If neither is available, omit this element.
  5. Date of Publication or Revision, Include the most recent date the page was published or revised. This might be a publication date, a last updated date, or a copyright date.
    If no date is available, omit this element.
  6. URL. Provide a complete and stable URL for the page.
    Omit "https://" unless it is crucial for accessing the site.
    Avoid using shortened URLs.
  7. Accessed Date. MLA recommends including the date you accessed the webpage because web content can change or be removed.
    Precede the date with "Accessed." Format the date as Day Month Year (e.g., 15 May 2025).

Detailed Examples

Website with an Individual Author:
Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web." A List Apart, 16 Aug. 2002, alistapart.com/article/writeliving. Accessed 4 May 2024.
Website with a Group Author:
American Psychological Association. "Stress." APA.org, 2023, apa.org/topics/stress. Accessed 10 May 2024.
Website with No Author:
"The History of the Internet." Internet Society, internetsociety.org/internet/history-internet/. Accessed 2 June 2024.
Website with an Organization as Publisher (Same as Author):
Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook. 9th ed., 2021, mla.hcommons.org/mla-handbook/. Accessed 18 May 2025.
Webpage with No Date:
Smith, John. "The Future of Renewable Energy." Energy Today, energytoday.org/future-renewable-energy. Accessed 25 May 2024.

Special Cases and Additional Notes

  • Describing the Page (If No Title): If the page lacks a formal title, provide a brief description of the content without using italics or quotation marks.
    Example: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Data on Hurricane Tracking. National Weather Service, www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-track. Accessed 7 June 2024.
  • Multiple Dates: If a webpage provides multiple dates (e.g., a publication date and a last modified date), use the date most relevant to your research.
  • Missing Information: If any of the core elements (author, title, etc.) are missing, omit them from your citation. However, try to find the information if possible.
  • Specific Pages within a Larger Site: Be as specific as possible in your citation. Cite the specific page you used, not just the homepage of the website.
  • Archived Pages: If you are citing an archived version of a webpage (e.g., from the Wayback Machine), include the date of archiving after the URL.
    Example: Smith, John. "The Future of Renewable Energy." Energy Today, energytoday.org/future-renewable-energy, archived 10 Mar. 2024. Accessed 25 May 2024.
  • In-Text Citations for Websites:
    • Author-Page-Number Style: MLA style traditionally uses author-page number in-text citations. However, websites often lack page numbers.
    • Author or Title (If No Author) Only: If the website or webpage does not have page numbers, use the author's last name in the in-text citation.
      Example: (Bernstein) or (American Psychological Association)
      If there is no author, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks.
      Example: ("History of the Internet")
    • Signal Phrases: You can also integrate the author's name into your sentence (signal phrase), which eliminates the need for a parenthetical citation.
      Example: Bernstein argues that…