MLA format, or Modern Language Association format, is a style guide commonly used in the humanities and liberal arts to provide guidelines for writing and citing sources. One important aspect of MLA format is the organization of works cited or reference lists. In this essay, we will focus on the alphabetical order of works cited in MLA format.
According to the MLA Handbook, works cited lists should be arranged alphabetically by the last name of the first author listed on each source. If a source has no author, it should be listed by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles (such as "A," "An," or "The"). If a source has multiple authors, the first listed author's last name should be used for alphabetizing purposes.
For example, if you have a source with two authors, John Smith and Jane Doe, it would be listed under "S" for Smith. If you have a source with three authors, such as Smith, Doe, and Robert Williams, it would still be listed under "S" for Smith.
If a source has no author and the title begins with a number or a symbol, it should be listed based on the first letter of the next word in the title. For example, "3 Men in a Boat" would be listed under "B" for Boat.
It's important to note that the works cited list should be double spaced and each entry should have a hanging indent, meaning the first line of the entry is aligned with the left margin, while all subsequent lines are indented one-half inch. This helps to make the list easier to read and navigate.
In conclusion, the alphabetical order of works cited in MLA format is determined by the last name of the first author listed on each source. If a source has no author, it is listed by the title, ignoring initial articles. It's important to follow these guidelines to ensure a well-organized and easy-to-read works cited list.
