Rule of thumb: The briefer the better. Try to incorporate most information into the text. In-text references must clearly point to corresponding entry in the Works Cited list.
Basic Forms:
According to Gullans in his book Poetic Form, the importance of structure...(23).
(Page number only, when author/work cited is evident from context)
...In the book Poetic Form, importance of structure... (Gullans 23).
(Author and Page, when author work needs to be identified)
…importance of structure... (Gullans, Poetic Form 23).
(Author and Title and Page, when work is not identified in text)
**For more examples, please see the MLA Handbook.
MLA style provides writers with a system for referencing sources through parenthetical citations, but also specifies guidelines for formatting papers. Below find basic guidelines for formatting your paper and creating a Works Cited page. For more in-depth information on formatting, check out the OWL MLA Formatting and Style Guide.
Works Cited title page: Center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.