MLA Format: How Do I Cite
Other Media?
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: The Modern
Language Association of America, 2009. Print.
Library Call Number: Ref LB 2369 .G53 2009
Notes:
• Double-space all citations; examples are single-spaced to conserve space. If
a citation runs more than one line, indent the following line(s) one-half inch
from the left margin. 5.3.2
• Arrange the list of all the references you used in alphabetical order by the
last name of the references’ authors (5.3.3). In MLA format, this list
appears on a separate page and is titled Works Cited.
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides and choose an easily readable font, e.g., 12point Times New Roman.
• The media sources and subscription online database examples below were
found in the RHC Library Web site as of Sept. 22, 2010.
• URLs are an optional part of the citation. Include a URL “as supplementary
information only when the reader probably cannot locate the source without
it or when your instructor requires it.” See 5.6.1 (p. 182) for more
information.
• Notes and examples include the applicable chapter and section numbers of
the MLA Handbook. (e.g., 5.6.1 = Chapter 5, section 6, item 1)
WORKS OF VISUAL ART
Works From the Library’s Online Database: 5.7.6, 5.6.2.d
Artist’s Name. Title of Artwork. Date of Composition (if unknown, write N.d.; if
approximate, write c. for “circa”). Medium of composition. Institution
Housing the Work, City. Title of the Database. Web. Date you
accessed the artwork.
A Mandala of Samvara. c. 1700. Gouache on cotton. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. ArtStor.
Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
Johnson, William H. Classroom Scene. c. 1938-1946. Oil on plywood. Smithsonian American
Art Museum, Washington, DC. ArtStor. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
Oppenheim, Dennis. Hot Tattoos. 1994. Sculpture and installations. Exhibited at Blum
Helman Gallery, Fall 1994, New York. ArtStor. Web. 30 July 2009.
Works from a Web Site: 5.7.6, 5.6.2.d
Follow the above format, but add the URL if you think it will be more helpful to the
reader or if required by your instructor.
Pollock, Jackson. Naked Man with Knife. c. 1938-1940. Oil on canvas. Tate Modern, London.
Tate Collection. Web. 28 Aug. 2009. <http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/
ViewWork?workid=12148&roomid=3552>.
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FILMS AND WEB VIDEOS
General Format: 5.7.3, 5.6.2.d
Title in English [Original title, if needed]. Director. Performers. Original release
date. Distributor, Year of release. Medium consulted.
Or
Title of Web Video. Producer. Title of the Web Site. Date published. Web. Date you
accessed the Web video.
The Namesake. Dir. Mira Nair. Perf. Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett, and
Zuleikha Robinson. 2006. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2007. DVD.
O Pioneers! Dir. Glenn Jordan. Perf. Jessica Lange, David Strathairn, and Tom Aldredge.
Hallmark Home Entertainment, 1999. VHS.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Dir. Robert Mulligan. Perf. Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton,
Rosemary Murphy, and Ruth White. 1962. Universal, 1998. DVD.
Why Become a Foster Parent. Prod. Passion to Action Advocates. YouTube. 19 May 2008.
Web. 20 Apr. 2010.
LETTERS AND E-MAIL MESSAGES
General Format: 5.7.13
Writer’s Name. “Title of the message, if any.” Description of the message that
includes the recipient. Date of the document or message. Medium of
delivery.
(For medium of delivery, use the abbreviations MS for a manuscript or handwritten
work and TS for typescript or a work prepared by machine. 5.7.12)
Butler, Cathy. “Publicity Code.” Memo to all staff, Rio Hondo College, Whittier, CA. 14 Sept.
2010. E-mail.
Hans, L. Angelica. “Article on Alternative Responses to Sensational News.” Message to the
author. 17 June 2010. E-mail.
Smith, Rosanne C. Letter to the author. 15 Dec. 2010. MS.
MAPS OR CHARTS
In general, treat maps or charts like articles or books. Add the appropriate
descriptive label (Map, Interactive map, Chart) right after the title of the work. If
the work has no given title, use an informative descriptor of the work and place
within square brackets. 5.7.8, 5.6.2.b, 5.5.24
California Atlas Project. “Ethnicity.” Interactive map. Atlas of California. Humboldt State
University Advanced Cartography, 2002. Web. 23 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.humboldt.edu/cga/calatlas/atlas.html>.
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Kahrl, William L., ed. “Drought: Water Years 1976/1977.” Map. The California Water Atlas.
Sacramento: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, 1972. 76. Print.
Rio Hondo College. [Campus Map]. Rio Hondo College Catalog 2010-2011. Whittier: Rio
Hondo College, 2010. 272. Print.
BLOGS, WIKIS, PODCASTS AND OTHER WEB POSTINGS
General Format: 5.6.2.b
Web postings are cited as standard Web entries.
Writer’s name (Author, Editor, Screen Name, Compiler), if available. “Posting
Title.” Name of Site. Version number, if available. Name of institution or
organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of posting.
Web. Date you accessed the posting.
Note:
• Check with your instructor if Web postings are acceptable as scholarly
sources for your research assignment. For example, many instructors will
not accept Wikipedia as a resource because, while it provides overviews of a
variety of topics, the expertise of the authors cannot always be verified.
Podcast or audio blog post:
Mirsky, Steve. “A Few Drug-Resistant Bacteria May Keep the Whole Colony Alive.” Scientific
American.com: 60-Second Science. Scientific American, 1 Sept. 2010. Web. 4 Sept.
2010.
Wiki:
“Plagiarism.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Sept. 2010. Web.
22 Sept. 2010.
Blog Post:
Romm, Joe. “Climatopolis: How Our Cities Will Thrive in the Hotter Future [Not!].” Climate
Progress. Center for American Progress Action Fund, 20 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Oct.
2010. <http://climateprogress.org>.
Video Blog:
“Tim Gunn’s Vblog – Season 8, Episode 6.” Blogging Project Runway. Blogging Reality
Television LLC, 3 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
DIGITAL FILES
You might occasionally want to cite a digital file that resides in your computer in
your research paper, e.g., a document created using Microsoft Word, a PDF file, an
image attached to an e-mail, an MP3 file.
General Format: 5.7.18
First, determine the kind of work you are citing: for example, a book, a photograph
(5.7.6), a typescript (5.7.12), a sound recording (5.7.2), and so on. Use the
appropriate citation guidelines, placing the digital format where the medium of
publication would be. Italicize titles of software programs, e.g., Microsoft Word.
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Cavada, Jose. Jack and Paolo. 20 July 2009. JPEG file.
Ciofi, Patrizia, perf. "Giusto Dio che umile adoro." By Gioachino Rossini. Tancredi. Rossini
Opera Festival, Pesaro, 2004. MP3 file.
Coe, Jan. “Evaluating Web Sites.” 2002. Microsoft PowerPoint file.
TELEVISION OR RADIO SHOWS
General Format: 5.7.1
“Title of the episode or segment (if appropriate).” Title of the Program or Series.
Narrator, Author, Performer(s) and Director information. Name of the
network, if any. Call letters and city of the local station (if any), broadcast
date. Medium of reception. Supplementary information.
(In general, information about a particular episode follows the title of the episode,
while information related to a series follows the title of the series.)
“The Cost of Dying: End-of-Life Care.” Narr. Steve Kroft. 60 Minutes. CBS. KCBS, Los
Angeles, 8 Aug. 2010. Television.
Karr, Rick and Becky Wight. “Virtual Radio.” Interview by Bill Moyers. NOW with Bill Moyers.
Public Broadcasting System. KCET, Los Angeles, 26 Apr. 2002. Radio. (5.7.7)
“Unnecessary War.” Episode 6. John Adams. Perf. Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen
Dillane, and Rufus Sewell. HBO. Los Angeles, 13 Apr. 2008. Cable television.
SOUND RECORDINGS
General Format: 5.7.2
Composer, Conductor, Ensemble, or Performer, depending on your research
emphasis. “Title of Specific Song or Piece.” Title of the Recording. Name(s)
of the artist(s) when distinct from the first-listed person or group.
Manufacturer or Publisher, Year released. Medium of recording.
Coldplay. “Viva la Vida.” Viva la Vida or, Death and All His Friends. Capitol, 2008. CD.
Guthrie, Woody. “Talking Dust Bowl Blues.” Dust Bowl Ballads. Buddha Records/BMG, 2000.
CD.
Wagner, Richard. Tristan und Isolde. Perf. Birgit Nilsson, Christa Ludwig, Wolfgang
Windgassen, Martti Talvela, and Eberhard Waechter. Chor und Orchester der
Bayreuther Festspiele. Cond. Karl Bohm. Rec. 1966 Bayreuther Festival. Deutsche
Grammophon, 1997. CD.
Zollo, Mike. Berlitz Spanish Today. Berlitz, 1993-1998. Audiocassette.
JSM F2010
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