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Formatting Your Citations in MLA: Formatting Citations

Citation Tips

  • Use a citation generator to easily create citations for your paper
  • Create and maintain a list of all resources—books, periodicals, websites, etc.—that you consult during your research
  • When doing a research project, it is a good idea to have a Word or Google document open and minimized for citations, which can be copied and pasted into a Works Cited/Bibliography/Reference Page
  • When in doubt, cite! It is better to over-cite than to under-cite

 

For more information see the following guides:

Citing Webpages in MLA 8th Edition Style

Citing Films on Demand Videos

Citations are included in the Films on Demand videos. Just click on the Cite link under the video playing window, choose the appropriate citation format, and copy and paste the citation into your paper.

Citing Tools in Databases

Most databases have citation tools that provide the user with MLA or APA Citations. Just look for "Citation Tools" or "Cite" links in the "Tools" box, and then select the citation in the appropriate format, copy, and paste into your paper.

 


Gale Databases: Academic Onefile, Opposing Viewpoints

Click on the link for "Citation Tools" 
on the right side of the screen.

 

 


Ebsco Databases: Academic Search Complete, CINHAL Plus, ERIC

Once you find and article, look at the "Tools" bar 
on the right side of the page.

Click on "Cite"

 


ProQuest Databases: ProQuest Newstand, ProQuest Career and Technical Education

Creating a Hanging Indent in Google Docs

To alphabetize in Google Docs, go to the Add-ons tab > Sorted Paragraphs > Sort A to Z

Formatting Citations in Microsoft Word

Each source should be listed in alphabetical order by author's last name, and formatted so that the first line aligns with the left margin, and all subsequent lines are indented .5". To do this in Microsoft Word, just hit Ctrl + T.

If that doesn't work, follow screens below.

In Microsoft Word, on the Home tab, click on the arrow in the lower right of the 'Paragraph' box.

 

This window will appear. 

 

  • Make sure all indentations and spacing on the left side of box are set to '0'.
  • Choose 'Hanging' indent from the 'Special:' drop-down menu, with a .5" indent.
  • Change 'Line spacing:' to 'Double'