How to Properly Format MLA Citations

When citing sources in MLA format, it is important to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure proper citation and attribution. One key aspect of MLA formatting is the correct way to include citations for direct quotes from sources.

According to the Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines, a direct quote should be enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that the text is taken directly from the source. Following the quoted text, the page number where the quote can be found should be included in parentheses.

For example, if we have the sentence "He moved quickly through the cloudy night" on page 289 of a book, the correct MLA citation would be: "He moved quickly through the cloudy night" (289).

It is essential to follow this format to give proper credit to the original source and to avoid plagiarism. By including the quotation marks and page number, readers can easily locate the quoted text within the source material. Incorrect citation formatting can lead to confusion and misrepresentation of sources.