What if the author is unknown when citing MLA? This is a common question among students and researchers who are new to the MLA citation style. The MLA format, which is widely used in the humanities, requires that every source be cited with specific information. However, what happens when the author’s name is not available? This article will explore the steps to follow when citing a source with an unknown author in MLA format.
In MLA citation, the author’s name is a crucial element of the Works Cited list entry. When the author’s name is not provided, it can be challenging to create a complete and accurate citation. However, there are ways to handle this situation while still adhering to MLA guidelines.
Firstly, if the author’s name is not available, the entry in the Works Cited list should begin with the title of the source. The title should be placed in quotation marks, and the word “n.d.” (which stands for “no date”) should be included after the title. This indicates that the source does not have a known publication date.
For example, if you are citing a website with an unknown author and no publication date, your Works Cited list entry would look like this:
“Title of the Web Page.” n.d. Website Name. Date of Access.
In this case, the title of the web page comes first, followed by “n.d.” to indicate the lack of a publication date, and then the name of the website and the date you accessed the source.
When citing a work with an unknown author in the text, you can still use the author’s name in parentheses if it is mentioned in the source. If the author’s name is not mentioned, you can use “Author’s Last Name” (without the quotation marks) in parentheses after the first word of the quote or paraphrase. This helps to maintain the flow of your writing while still acknowledging the source.
For instance, if you are paraphrasing a paragraph from a book with an unknown author, your in-text citation would look like this:
(Author’s Last Name)
However, if you are quoting a specific line from the source, you can use the word “quotation” in parentheses after the quote:
“Quotation” (Author’s Last Name)
It is important to note that when citing a source with an unknown author, you should still include as much information as possible in the Works Cited list entry. This may include the title of the source, the name of the website or publisher, the publication date, and the URL or page numbers, depending on the type of source.
In conclusion, when citing a source with an unknown author in MLA format, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by the MLA Handbook. By starting with the title of the source, using “n.d.” to indicate the lack of a publication date, and including other relevant information in the Works Cited list entry, you can create a complete and accurate citation even when the author’s name is not available.
