Citing Secondary Sources in MLA Formatting: A Guide

Citing Secondary Sources in MLA 8th and 9th Editions

When working on a research paper in MLA format, it's essential to properly cite secondary sources. In this guide, we'll explore the basics of citing secondary sources in both the 8th and 9th editions of the MLA Handbook.

Understanding Secondary Sources

Before we dive into citation guidelines, let's define what secondary sources are. A secondary source is a work that interprets or analyzes primary sources, such as articles, books, or websites. Examples of secondary sources include academic articles, book reviews, and essays written by experts in a particular field.

Tip 1: Identify the Type of Secondary Source

To cite a secondary source correctly, you need to identify its type. The most common types of secondary sources are:

• Article or essay
• Book review
• Chapter from an edited collection
• Edited collection

Citing Secondary Sources in MLA 8th Edition

In the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook, the general citation format for a secondary source is as follows:

[Author's Last Name, First Name]. "Title of Article/Book Review." Title of Periodical/Book, Day Month Year: Page Numbers.

Example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change." Environmental Studies Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 3, 2018, pp. 12-25.

Citing Secondary Sources in MLA 9th Edition

In the 9th edition of the MLA Handbook, the general citation format for a secondary source has changed slightly:

[Author's Last Name, First Name]. "Title of Article/Book Review." Title of Periodical/Book, Day Month Year, pp. Page Numbers.

Example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change." Environmental Studies Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 3, 2018, pp. 12-25.

Citing Secondary Sources in Book Reviews

When citing a book review, you need to include the author's last name, first name, the title of the book, and the title of the periodical or journal. The page numbers are not always provided, so it's best to omit them:

[Author's Last Name, First Name]. "Title of Book Review." Title of Periodical/Book, Day Month Year.

Example: Johnson, Jane. "A Critical Review of 'The Great Gatsby'." The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018, pp. 12-15.

Citing Secondary Sources in Edited Collections

When citing a chapter from an edited collection, you need to include the editor's last name, first name, and the title of the chapter. You also need to provide the title of the collection and the editor's last name, first name:

[Editor's Last Name, First Name], "Title of Chapter." Title of Collection, Day Month Year: Page Numbers.

Example: Williams, Emily, ed., "The Future of Sustainability." Sustainable Practices: A Global Perspective, 2019, pp. 12-25.

Citing Secondary Sources in Online Sources

When citing online sources, such as articles or websites, you need to include the publication date and the URL (if available). The MLA Handbook recommends including the DOI (digital object identifier) if it's provided:

[Author's Last Name, First Name]. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical/Website, Day Month Year, [URL], doi:xyz123.

Example: Davis, Michael. "The Benefits of Meditation." Mindful Magazine, 20 Feb. 2020, www.mindfulmag.com/benefits-of-meditation/.

Conclusion

Citing secondary sources in MLA formatting can seem daunting at first, but with these guidelines and examples, you should be able to properly cite most types of secondary sources for your research paper. Remember to always check the MLA Handbook for specific citation requirements and to consult with a librarian or writing center if you have any questions.