Citing a Journal in MLA Style
Published January 23, 2021. Updated August 5, 2021.
To cite a journal in MLA, you need to know the source type, author, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page range, and/or DOI or URL or ISBN.
The templates and examples below are based on the MLA Handbook, 9th edition. On this page, you can learn how to cite the following:
Print journal article
Online journal article
Journal article from a database
Citing multiple authors or no author
If you’re trying to cite a journal in MLA, the Chegg Writing MLA citation generator could help. Help protect your paper against accidental plagiarism with the Chegg Writing plagiarism checker and citation generator.
Citing a print journal article in MLA style
For citing print journal articles in MLA, the surname of the author and page range are used in narrative and parenthetical. In the absence of page numbers, only the surname can be used.
In-text citation template and example:
Narrative:
Author Surname (Page Number)
Verbeek et al. (400)
Parenthetical:
(Author Surname Page Number)
(Verbeek et al. 400)
Works cited entry template and example:
Surname, First M., and First M. Surname. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Publication Date, Page Range.
Verbeek, Arnold, et al. “Linking Science to Technology: Using Bibliographic References in Patents to Build Linkage Schemes.” Scientometrics, vol. 54, no. 3, Jan. 2002, pp. 399–420.
Read this MLA format guide for more style basics.
Citing an online journal article in MLA style
For citing online journal articles in MLA, the surname of the authors and page range are used in narrative and parenthetical. In the absence of page numbers, only the surname can be used.
In-text citation template and example:
Narrative:
Author Surname (Page Number)
Wei et al. were …
Parenthetical:
(Author Surname Page Number)
… respectively (Wei et al.)
Works cited entry template and example:
Surname, First M., et al. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Publication Date, Page Range, DOI.
Wei, D., Zhan, W., Gao, Y. et al. “RAB31 Marks and Controls an ESCRT-Independent Exosome Pathway.” Cell Research, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41422-020-00409-1.
Citing a journal article from a database in MLA style
For citing journal articles from a database in MLA, the surname of the authors and page range are used in narrative and parenthetical. In the absence of page numbers, only the surname can be used.
In-text citation template and example:
Narrative:
Author Surname (Page Number)
Lewis et al. evaluated … (470)
Parenthetical:
(Author Surname Page Number)
… concluded (Lewis et al. 470)
Works cited entry template and example:
Surname, First M., et al. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Publication Date, Page Range, URL.
Lewis, Jamie, et al. “Hidden in the Middle: Culture, Value and Reward in Bioinformatics.” Minerva, vol. 54, no. 4, 2016, pp. 471–490, www.jstor.org/stable/26302062.
Multiple authors and no authors
2 authors
IN-TEXT EXAMPLE:
Williams and Leatham illustrated … (390).
… has been done (Williams and Leatham 390).
WORKS CITED EXAMPLE:
Williams, Steven R., and Keith R. Leatham. “Journal Quality in Mathematics Education.” Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, vol. 48, no. 4, 2017, pp. 369–396.
3+ authors
IN-TEXT EXAMPLE:
Therefore, Corneille et al. … (50).
… STEM education (Corneille et al. 50).
WORKS CITED EXAMPLE:
Corneille, Maya, et al. “Developing Culturally and Structurally Responsive Approaches to STEM Education to Advance Education Equity.” The Journal of Negro Education, vol. 89, no. 1, 2020, pp. 48–57.
Organization is author/publisher
IN-TEXT EXAMPLE:
JSTOR stated that… (220).
… reported to the forum (JSTOR 220).
WORKS CITED EXAMPLE:
JSTOR. “Ethical Publishing in Biodiversity Conservation Science.” Conservation & Society, vol. 18, no. 3, 2020, pp. 220–225.
No author
IN-TEXT EXAMPLE:
“ET&S Journal: Submission Guidelines” provides … (103).
… provided the information (“ET&S Journal: Submission Guidelines” 103).
WORKS CITED EXAMPLE:
“ET&S Journal: Submission Guidelines.” Journal of Educational Technology & Society, vol. 22, no. 2, 2019, pp. 101–103.
For more information on citing sources in MLA, also read these guides on MLA in-text citations and MLA works cited examples
MLA Style: Learn More
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