How to Parenthetically Cite a Website without an Author MLA
Citing a website without an author in MLA format can be a bit tricky, but it’s definitely manageable. When you don’t have the author’s name, you can still include other relevant information in your parenthetical citation to help your readers locate the source. In this article, we will guide you through the process of parenthetically citing a website without an author in MLA format.
Understanding MLA Format
Before we dive into the specifics of citing a website without an author, it’s important to have a basic understanding of MLA format. MLA (Modern Language Association) is a widely used citation style in the humanities, and it provides guidelines for formatting papers, in-text citations, and works cited lists. When citing a website without an author, you’ll follow the same general structure as you would for any other source.
Identifying the Source
To begin, you need to identify the source you want to cite. Make sure you have the following information:
– The title of the web page or article
– The title of the website
– The URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
– The date of access
Creating the Parenthetical Citation
When citing a website without an author in MLA format, you can include the title of the web page or article in the parenthetical citation. Here’s an example:
– (Title of the Web Page or Article)
If you have the title of the website, you can include it as well:
– (Title of the Web Page or Article, Title of the Website)
Remember to capitalize the first word of each title and any major words that follow, including those that follow hyphens in compound terms.
Formatting the Works Cited Entry
In your Works Cited list, you’ll need to include the full citation for the website. Since there is no author, you’ll start with the title of the web page or article, followed by the title of the website, the URL, and the date of access. Here’s an example:
– “Title of the Web Page or Article.” Title of the Website. URL, Date of Access. Web.
Remember to format the title of the web page or article in italics and the title of the website in quotation marks. The URL should be provided in its entirety, and the date of access should be the date you accessed the website.
Conclusion
In conclusion, citing a website without an author in MLA format involves including the title of the web page or article, the title of the website, the URL, and the date of access in your parenthetical citation and Works Cited entry. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citation is accurate and helps your readers locate the source.
