The Date You Visited the Site

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

What Information Should You Include in the MLA Citation for a Website?

When it comes to citing websites in MLA (Modern Language Association) format, there are several key pieces of information that you should include. These details are crucial in providing accurate credit to the original authors and sources of the information. In this article, we will explore the essential elements to include in an MLA citation for a website.

The Author or Editor

The first piece of information to include in an MLA citation for a website is the author or editor. This is typically the person or organization responsible for creating the content on the website. If the website does not have an author or editor listed, you can use the organization or company name as the author. For example:

Smith, John. "The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org.

The Title

The title of the webpage or article is also an essential element to include in an MLA citation. This should be the title of the specific webpage or article you are citing, not the title of the entire website. If the title is long, you can shorten it to the first word or phrase that best describes the content. For example:

"The Impact of Social Media on Society." The Social Media Journal, 2020, www.socialmediajournal.com.

The Publisher

The publisher of the website is also an important piece of information to include in an MLA citation. This is typically the organization or company that owns and operates the website. If the website does not have a publisher listed, you can use the organization or company name as the publisher. For example:

The New York Times. "The Latest News from Around the World." 2020, www.nytimes.com.

The Date of Publishing

The date of publishing is another crucial element to include in an MLA citation for a website. This is the date when the webpage or article was first published. If the webpage or article has been updated or revised, you should include the date of the most recent update. For example:

"The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

The Format

The format of the website is also an important piece of information to include in an MLA citation. This can include the type of website (e.g. blog, news site, academic journal), the format of the content (e.g. article, video, podcast), and any other relevant details. For example:

"The Impact of Social Media on Society." The Social Media Journal, 2020, www.socialmediajournal.com. Podcast.

The Date You Visited the Site

The date you visited the site is not typically included in an MLA citation for a website. However, if you are citing a webpage or article that is not static and may change over time, you may want to include the date you accessed the site. This is indicated by the phrase "Accessed" followed by the date. For example:

"The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Additional Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you create accurate MLA citations for websites:

If the website has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), you should include it in the citation.
If the website has a URL that is too long to fit on one line, you can break it up with a line break.
If the website has a title that is not in English, you should include the title in the original language, followed by a translation in parentheses.
If the website has multiple authors or editors, you should separate them with commas.

Common MLA Citation Examples for Websites

Here are some common MLA citation examples for websites:

Book review on a website:
- Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Review." Title of Website, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.
- Example: Smith, John. "Review of The Great Gatsby." The Literary Review, 2020, www.literaryreview.com. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.
Article on a website:
- Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Website, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.
- Example: Johnson, Jane. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." The Social Media Journal, 2020, www.socialmediajournal.com. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.
Website with no author or editor:
- Title of Website. Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.
- Example: The New York Times. 2020, www.nytimes.com. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to citing websites in MLA format, there are several key pieces of information that you should include. These details are crucial in providing accurate credit to the original authors and sources of the information. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can create accurate MLA citations for websites and avoid any potential plagiarism issues. Remember to always include the author or editor, title, publisher, date of publishing, and format in your citation, and to use the phrase "Accessed" followed by the date if you are citing a webpage or article that is not static.
Frequently Asked Questions: MLA Citations for Websites

In our previous article, we explored the essential elements to include in an MLA citation for a website. However, we understand that there may be some confusion or uncertainty about how to properly cite websites in MLA format. In this article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about MLA citations for websites.

Q: What if the website has no author or editor listed?

A: If the website has no author or editor listed, you can use the organization or company name as the author. For example:

The New York Times. "The Latest News from Around the World." 2020, www.nytimes.com.

Q: How do I cite a website with multiple authors or editors?

A: If the website has multiple authors or editors, you should separate them with commas. For example:

Smith, John, and Jane Doe. "The Impact of Social Media on Society." The Social Media Journal, 2020, www.socialmediajournal.com.

Q: What if the website has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier)?

A: If the website has a DOI, you should include it in the citation. For example:

Smith, John. "The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, doi:10.1234/56789.

Q: How do I cite a website with a title that is not in English?

A: If the website has a title that is not in English, you should include the title in the original language, followed by a translation in parentheses. For example:

"La historia del internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. (The History of the Internet.)

Q: What if the website has a URL that is too long to fit on one line?

A: If the website has a URL that is too long to fit on one line, you can break it up with a line break. For example:

Smith, John. "The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org/long/url/that/doesnt/fit/on/one/line.

Q: Do I need to include the date I visited the site in the citation?

A: No, you do not need to include the date you visited the site in the citation. However, if you are citing a webpage or article that is not static and may change over time, you may want to include the date you accessed the site. This is indicated by the phrase "Accessed" followed by the date. For example:

"The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Q: How do I cite a website with a video or podcast?

A: If the website has a video or podcast, you should include the format in the citation. For example:

"The Impact of Social Media on Society." The Social Media Journal, 2020, www.socialmediajournal.com. Podcast.

Q: What if the website has a title that is not descriptive of the content?

A: If the website has a title that is not descriptive of the content, you can use a more descriptive title in the citation. For example:

"The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. (A Brief History of the Internet.)

Q: How do I cite a website with a URL that is not stable?

A: If the website has a URL that is not stable, you should include the URL as it appears in the citation, followed by the phrase "Accessed" and the date. For example:

"The History of the Internet." The Internet Archive, 2020, www.archive.org. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope this article has helped to clarify some of the most frequently asked questions about MLA citations for websites. Remember to always include the author or editor, title, publisher, date of publishing, and format in your citation, and to use the phrase "Accessed" followed by the date if you are citing a webpage or article that is not static. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.