What is a Works Cited List?

A works cited list is an alphabetized list, located on a separate page at the end of your paper, that lists all the citation details for the sources used in your paper.

Elements of Citation

MLA uses nine core elements for citing sources, but you usually do not need to use all of them for a single source. Click on each element below to learn more about it and how it is formatted.

Using MLA Resources to Create Citations

You’re not expected to memorize MLA guidelines. Instead, use available resources (e.g., U of A MLA QuickGuide (PDF), NorQuest College MLA 9 Research Guide, and this tutorial) to help guide you. Over time, you will become more comfortable with creating citations.

Using MLA resources to help create a works cited list entry is like using a recipe. The ingredients are the key pieces of information about a source (core elements). If you’re missing an ingredient, leave it out or substitute it.

Next, we will use the 9 core elements of citation to explore how to cite different types of sources.

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