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MLA (9th ed.) Citation Style: Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

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).

Encyclopedia or Dictionary Entry (Online) with an Author

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, Publisher, Publication Date or Last Update Date, URL. Date Accessed.

Friesen, Gerald. "Assiniboia." The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, 31 Jan. 2017, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/assiniboia. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

 

In-Text

(Friesen)

 

"An access date for an online work should...be provided if the work lacks a publication date" or if the work is likely to be revised or deleted (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p.211).

Encyclopedia or Dictionary Entry (Online) without an Author

"Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, Publisher, Publication Date or Last Update Date, URL. Date Accessed.

"Zeitgeist." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, 2018, www.oed.com/view/Entry/232756?redirectedFrom=zeitgeist#eid. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

 

In-Text

("Zeitgeist")

Encyclopedia or Dictionary Entry (Print) with an Author

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, edited by Editor's First Name Editor's Last Name, Edition if not the first edition, vol. #, Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. xx-xx.

Lewisohn, Leonard. "Sufism." Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Donald Borchert, 2nd ed., vol. 9, Thomson Gale, 2006, pp. 300-14.

 

In-Text

(Lewisohn 307)

Encyclopedia or Dictionary Entry (Print) without an Author

"Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia, edited by Editor's First Name Editor's Last Name, Edition if not the first edition, vol. #, Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. xx-xx.

"Mystic." Oxford Concise Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by Elizabeth Knowles, Oxford UP, 2003, p. 349.

 

In-Text

("Mystic" 349)

 

If the name of an academic press contains the words University and Press or a foreign language equivalent, use the abbreviation UP or the equivalent in the publisher's name (MLA Handbook, 9th ed., p. 172).