The Norton Field Guide to Writing
MLA (Modern Language Association) citation is a crucial aspect of academic writing, ensuring that writers give proper credit to the sources they consult and allowing readers to locate those sources easily. The citation format varies depending on the type of source, and when citing a book, such as "The Norton Field Guide to Writing," adhering to the correct order is essential for clarity and accuracy.
The Basics of MLA Citation:
1. Author's Name:
Start your citation with the author's last name, followed by a comma and their first name. If there is mla citation from a book more than one author, list them in the order they appear in the book, separating each name with a comma.
Example: Smith, John.
2. Title of the Book:
Italicize the title of the book and follow it with a period. Capitalize the first letter of the first word, last word, and all major words in between (known as title case).
Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing.
3. Editor or Translator (if applicable):
If the book has an editor or translator, include their name after the title, preceded by "Edited by" or "Translated by" and followed by a comma.
*Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, Edited by Jane Doe.
4. Edition (if applicable):
Indicate the edition of the book if it is not the norton field guide to writing first edition. Abbreviate "edition" to "ed."
Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, 2nd ed.
5. Publisher:
Specify the name of the publisher, followed by a comma.
Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, 2nd ed., Norton & Company.
6. Publication Year:
Mention the year of publication, followed by a period.
Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, 2nd ed., Norton & Company, 2020.
7. Page Numbers:
If you are referencing a specific section or quote, include the correct order for mla citation page numbers at the end of the citation after "p." or "pp."
Example: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, 2nd ed., Norton & Company, 2020, p. 45.
Correct Order for MLA Citation:
Putting it all together, a complete MLA citation for a book from "The Norton Field Guide to Writing" would look like this:
Smith, John. The Norton Field Guide to Writing. Edited by Jane Doe, 2nd ed., Norton & Company, 2020.
If you are referencing a specific page, include the page number at the end:
Smith, John. The Norton Field Guide to Writing. Edited by Jane Doe, 2nd ed., Norton & Company, 2020, p. 45.
Adhering to the correct order for MLA citation ensures that your readers can easily locate the sources you used, fostering transparency and academic integrity in your writing. Always consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook or the official MLA website for any updates or additional guidelines.
