A works cited page in MLA lists every source you used, in one alphabetized list with consistent hanging indents and punctuation.
MLA format can feel picky. A works cited page looks simple, yet small details matter: where commas go, when titles use italics, and what to do when a webpage has no author. Once you learn the pattern, you can build entries quickly and spot errors fast.
This walkthrough shows how to do a works cited page in mla from start to finish. You’ll get formatting rules, a template table you can copy, and practical fixes for the mistakes teachers mark most often.
What A Works Cited Page Does In MLA
The works cited page is your source list. It tells readers where your quotes, facts, and ideas came from. In MLA, you cite sources in two places: short in-text citations in the paper, plus full entries on the works cited page.
Each in-text citation should point to one entry. If an entry is missing or messy, the reader can’t trace your source with confidence.
Doing A Works Cited Page In MLA With Clean Formatting
Before you type entries, set the page up the standard MLA way. This keeps your list readable and keeps your formatting consistent.
- Start on a new page after the last page of your paper.
- Center the title “Works Cited” at the top (no bold, no italics, no quotes).
- Use double spacing for the title and every entry.
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use the same font as the rest of your paper.
- Apply a hanging indent: first line flush left, next lines indented 0.5 inch.
- Alphabetize by the first word of each entry (often the author’s last name).
That hanging indent is the step many students miss. In Word, set it in Paragraph settings. In Google Docs, use Format > Align & indent > Indentation options, choose “Hanging,” then set 0.5.
Templates By Source Type
MLA entries follow a consistent order: author, title, container, contributors, version, number, publisher, date, location. Not every source uses every piece, so templates help you stay on track.
| Source Type | What You Need | MLA Works Cited Template |
|---|---|---|
| Book | Author, Title, publisher, year | Last, First. Title. Publisher, Year. |
| Book Chapter | Author, “Chapter,” book details, pages | Last, First. “Chapter Title.” Book Title, edited by Editor, Publisher, Year, pp. xx–xx. |
| Journal Article | Author, “Article,” journal, vol/issue, year, pages | Last, First. “Article Title.” Journal, vol. x, no. y, Year, pp. xx–xx. |
| Database Article | Print-style details, database name, URL/DOI | Last, First. “Article Title.” Journal, vol. x, no. y, Year, pp. xx–xx. Database, DOI or URL. |
| Website Page | Author (if any), “Page,” site name, date, URL | Last, First. “Page Title.” Website Name, Day Mon. Year, URL. |
| News Website Article | Author, “Article,” site, date, URL | Last, First. “Article Title.” Site Name, Day Mon. Year, URL. |
| YouTube Video | Creator, “Video,” site, date, URL | Creator or Channel. “Video Title.” YouTube, Day Mon. Year, URL. |
| Podcast Episode | Host, “Episode,” show, season/episode, date | “Episode Title.” Podcast Name, hosted by Host, season x, episode y, Publisher, Day Mon. Year. |
| Film | Title, director, studio, year | Title. Directed by Director, Studio, Year. |
| Interview | Name, type, date | Last, First. Personal interview. Day Mon. Year. |
How To Do A Works Cited Page In MLA
Use this method for every source, even if you plan to paste a citation from a tool later. When you know what to check, your list stays consistent.
Step 1: Gather Source Details Before You Write
Open each source again and capture the details you’ll need. Library databases and news sites often show cleaner details on a citation or “about” panel than on the page itself.
- Author name (person or group)
- Title of the page, article, chapter, or video
- Title of the container (site name, journal name, book title, database)
- Publisher (often the site owner or the book publisher)
- Publication date
- Location (page range, DOI, permalink, or stable URL)
Step 2: Start With The Author Field
When there’s a person author, list last name, then first name. End the author field with a period. With two authors, list the first one last-name-first, then the second one first-name-last.
If there’s no person author, use a group author when it’s clearly stated on the source. If there’s no clear author at all, start with the source title instead.
Step 3: Add The Source Title With The Right Styling
Titles of short works go in quotation marks: articles, web pages, essays, episodes. Titles of long works go in italics: books, websites, journals, films, albums.
After the title, place a period inside the quotation marks, or after the italicized title. Keep capitalization consistent in English titles by capitalizing the first word and major words.
Step 4: Name The Container And The Location
In MLA, the “container” is where the source lives. A web page sits inside a website. An article sits inside a journal. A chapter sits inside a book. The container is often italicized.
Then add the location that helps a reader find it: page numbers for print, a DOI for many scholarly articles, or a stable URL for web sources. Stay consistent with your URL style, since teachers often check for uniform formatting.
Step 5: Finish With Dates And Needed Extras
Add the publication date in day-month-year order when it’s available, like “12 Mar. 2024.” If a source only shows a year, use the year. If there’s no date, skip it and move on.
Add extra fields only when they add clarity, like an edition number for a book or a season and episode number for a podcast.
Alphabetizing And Missing Information
Alphabetize entries by the first word of each entry. Most of the time, that’s the author’s last name. If you start with a title, ignore “A,” “An,” and “The” when alphabetizing.
If you have more than one source by the same author, keep the author name formatted the same way in each entry, then alphabetize those entries by the title that comes next. If two titles start with the same first word, use the next words to break the tie, just like a dictionary. For two versions of the same work, add the year and any version details so the reader can tell which one you used.
Missing info happens online. If there’s no author, start with the title. If there’s no date, skip the date. If a publisher isn’t listed, don’t guess.
Web Sources With Messy Pages Or Changing Links
Web pages can blur page title, site name, and publisher. Check the header, the footer, and any “About” page to confirm the site name and who runs it. If the URL is stuffed with tracking codes, look for a share link or a canonical link.
For the official element order and punctuation, the MLA Works Cited: A Quick Guide is a solid reference.
Books And Print Sources
For a book, you usually need the author, italicized title, publisher, and year. Add an edition only when it’s not the first edition. For an edited book with no single author, the editor can fill the author slot.
For a chapter in a book, the chapter title goes in quotation marks, then the book title in italics. Add the editor after the book title, then the publisher, year, and page range. Use “pp.” for a range and “p.” for one page.
Articles From Journals And Databases
Journal articles often include volume, issue, year, and page numbers. Add the journal name in italics. If you found the article in a database, add the database name in italics after the page range, then the DOI or stable URL.
If you have a DOI, use it. If you don’t, use a stable link from the database, not the URL in your browser bar after you sign in.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab explains the layout and spacing on its Works Cited page basic format page.
Videos, Podcasts, And Other Media
For YouTube, start with the creator or channel name. Put the video title in quotation marks, italicize YouTube, then add the upload date and the URL. If your paper points to a specific moment, add a timestamp in the in-text citation.
For podcasts, list the episode title, then the podcast title in italics, then the host, season or episode details if known, the publisher, and the date. If the platform name helps your reader find it, include it as the container.
For films, list the film title in italics, then “Directed by” and the director’s name, then the studio and year.
Authors, Groups, And Title-First Entries
Two authors: “Last, First, and First Last.” Three or more authors: list the first author, then add “et al.” Group authors: use the group name as written on the source.
If you start with a title because there’s no author, keep the title styling rules the same. Then alphabetize by that title.
Common Errors And Fast Fixes
Most MLA works cited problems fall into a few buckets. Fixing them usually takes one careful pass with your eyes on the punctuation and order.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No hanging indent | Paragraph settings left on first-line indent | Set hanging indent to 0.5 inch for the whole list |
| Entries not alphabetized | Sorted by title while using author-first entries | Alphabetize by the first word of each entry |
| Website name not italicized | Mixing page title with site title | Put page title in quotes, site name in italics |
| Wrong punctuation after author | Copied from mixed citation styles | End the author field with a period |
| URL too long or broken | Copied a tracking link | Use the page’s share link or canonical URL |
| Database link requires login | Used the browser bar URL | Use the database’s stable link or DOI |
| Title styling inconsistent | Italics and quotes swapped | Short work in quotes, container in italics |
| Old placeholders like “n.d.” used | Older templates copied from random sites | Skip missing pieces instead of inserting placeholders |
A Two-Minute Final Check
Run this check before you submit. It catches the stuff that costs points.
- “Works Cited” is centered and plain.
- Double spacing is used across the whole list.
- Hanging indents appear on every entry that wraps.
- Alphabetizing follows the first word of each entry.
- Each in-text citation matches a works cited entry.
If you built your list with the method above, this last pass is cleanup. A tidy list makes your sources easy to trace and makes your paper look polished.
If you need to build another list later, repeat the same steps. That’s how to do a works cited page in mla without stress, even when your sources are a mix of books, articles, and web pages.