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MLA (9th ed.) Citation Style: Articles

Core Elements Format

The MLA 9th ed. does not provide rules for citing specific types of resources. Instead, they provide a universal set of guidelines for any type of material based on the core elements. The examples provided in this citation guide were created by Douglas College librarians and follow this format.

  • Seasons in publication dates of journals or magazines are no longer capitalized (e.g.: winter 2021 not Winter 2021)
  • For articles from databases with a DOI, write the DOI as a web address (e.g. beginning with https://doi.org/)
  • If a DOI is not available, use a permalink/stable URL
  • "When including a URL, copy it in full from your browser....(unless) your source offers a URL that it identifies as stable, permanent or persistent." Use a persistent link instead of the browser link if available. (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., pp.195-6).

Journal, Article (Print)

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx.

Blocker, David. "Labour and the Waffle: Unions Confront Canadian Left Nationalism in the New Democratic Party." Labour: Journal of Canadian Labour Studies, vol. 87, 2021, pp. 49-92. 

In-Text

(Blocker 63)

 

Journal issues are typically numbered. Some journals use both volume and issue numbers - others may use only a volume number or only an issue number. You include only what is given in the journal (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 158).

Journal, Article from a Library Database without a DOI

Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx. Title of Database, URL.

Williams, George R. "What Can Consciousness Anomalies Tell Us about Quantum Mechanics?" Journal of Scientific Exploration, vol. 30, no. 3, 2015, pp. 326-54. Academic Search Complete, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=a9h&AN=118525144&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

In-Text

(Williams 344)

Journal, Article from a Library Database with a DOI (Multiple Authors)

Author's Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx. Title of Database, https://doi.org/doi:#. 

Rabb, Nathaniel, et al. "Truths About Beauty and Goodness: Disgust Affects Moral but not Aesthetic Judgments." Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, vol. 10, no. 4, 2016, pp. 492-500. PsycINFO, https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000051. 

In-Text

(Rabb et al. 494)

 

"If the source has three or more authors, the entry in the works cited list begins with the first author's name followed by et al. The in-text citation follows suit." (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 313)

For an article in a database with a DOI number, write the DOI number as a web address. This means you will put the prefix https://doi.org/ in front of the DOI number. For example: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035148 (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 194)

Journal, Article from the Internet

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx, URL. 

Cianciolo, Patricia K. "Compensating Nuclear Weapons Workers and Their Survivors: The Case of Fernald." Michigan Family Review, vol. 19, no. 1, 2015, pp. 51-72, quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mfr/4919087.0019.103?rgn=main;view=fulltext. 

In-Text

(Cianciolo 61)

Magazine Article from a Library Database

Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine,  vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx. Title of Database, URL. 

Agren, David. "Here Comes the Rain Again." Maclean's, vol. 124, no. 29, 8 Aug. 2011, p. 43. CBCA Complete, www.proquest.com/magazines/here-comes-rain-again/docview/879703108/se-2?accountid=10545.

In-Text

(Agren 43)

 

Magazines can be published with a volume and issue, or with only a publication date. Cite what you have.

Magazine, Article (Internet)

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine, Publication Date, URL. 

Miller, Laura. “The Evolutionary Argument for Dr. Seuss.” Salon, 18 May 2009, www.salon.com/2009/05/18/evocriticism/.

In-Text

(Miller)

Magazine, Article (Print)

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Magazine, Publication Date, pp. xx-xx.

Anthony, Leslie. “Into the Blue.” British Columbia Magazine, summer 2021, pp. 48-57.

In-Text

(Anthony 49)

Newspaper, Article from a Library Database

Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper, Publication Date, p. x. Name of Database, URL.

Lohnes, Karl. "How To Make Your Bed And Lie In It Too." The Vancouver Sun, 5 Sept. 2020, p. C13. Canadian Newsstream, www.proquest.com/newspapers/how-make-your-bed-lie-too/docview/2440331421/se-2?accountid=10545.

In-Text

(Lohnes C13)

Newspaper, Article from the Internet

Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper, Publication Date, URL. 

Skerritt, Jen. “Local Liver Specialists Struggle to Keep up with Hep-C Influx. ”Winnipeg Free Press, 20 May 2009, www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/local-liver-specialists-struggle-to-keep-up-with-hep-c-influx-45462112.html. 

In-Text

(Skerritt)

Newspaper Article (Print)

Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper,  Publication Date, p. x.

Fayerman, Pamela. "Body Degerates as Patients Wait." The Vancouver Sun, 3 June 2005, p. A12.

In-Text

(Fayerman A12)

Newspaper, Article - No Author (print)

“Oval Distinguished for Innovative Design.” The Vancouver Sun, 16 May 2009, p. A14.

In-Text

("Oval Distinguished" A14)