Citation Packbibliography desk

US Works Cited tips (MLA-style)

A short desk-side reminder for coursework bibliographies. Pair this with the free builder — templates are MLA-ish student helpers, not a full handbook.

Core rhythm

Sample book entry

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.

Sample article entry

Chen, Mei. “Citation Habits in First-Year Writing.” Composition Studies, vol. 48, no. 2, 2020, pp. 55–72.

Checklist before you submit

Format a Works Cited list in the split-pane builder — switch to US Works Cited, add works, then copy or print.

Open citation builder

FAQ

How should a Works Cited list be ordered?

Alphabetize by the first author’s last name (or by title if there is no author). Ignore leading A, An, or The when sorting by title.

When do I italicize a title in Works Cited?

Italicize titles of books, journals, and websites. Put article, chapter, and short-work titles in quotation marks. Your instructor’s MLA edition may refine edge cases.

Does Citation Pack replace the MLA Handbook?

No. The builder uses simplified MLA-ish student templates. For theses, publications, or unusual sources, follow the official handbook or your course guide.