How do I arrange individual entries?

Individual entries in the Works Cited list should be arranged in alphabetical order by the last names of authors. Entries are not numbered. Click on the various questions below to see how particular types of entries would be arranged in a Works Cited list. On the screen at the right, you will see a Works Cited list being constructed as you click on these points. Be sure to click on any comment buttons you see for further explanation.

Is there an author or an editor (translator) on the title page of the source?

View an Example of an Authored Source
View an Example of an Edited Source, for which the Editor is the Primary "Author."
View an Example of a Translated Source, for which the Translator is not the Primary "Author."

How many authors does the source have? The format and arrangement of individual entries are affected by the number of authors appearing on the title page of the source:

View an Example of a Source with One Author
View an Example of a Source with Two or Three Authors
View an Example of a Source with More than Three Authors

What if there is no author? If no author's name is listed on the title page of your source (in other words, if it is an anonymous source), the first word in the entry is the first word of the title, and the entry is alphabetized according to this first word.

View an Example

What if there are two or more sources by the same author used in the paper? An exception to using the author's full name in the entry is when you cite a single author more than once. In this instance, it is acceptable to use the three-em dash (---.) in place of the author's name after the first entry. This three-em dash serves the same purpose as "ditto" marks.

View an Example

Writing Demonstrations

Creating an MLA-Style Works Cited List

How do I arrange individual entries?