How to Cite a Brochure in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 08/02/2024

When citing a brochure in MLA format, it is important to follow a structured approach to ensure proper credit is given to the authors and publishers. The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style requires specific elements to be included, such as the author’s name, title of the brochure, publisher, publication date, and, if applicable, the URL.

The following guidelines detail the steps and examples necessary for accurately citing a brochure.

CITATION ELEMENTS FOR A BROCHURE

• Author or Organization: Begin with the name of the author or the organization responsible for creating the brochure. If an individual is listed as the author, write the last name followed by a comma and then the first name. If the brochure is authored by an organization, list the name of the organization as the author.
• Title of the Brochure: Italicize the title of the brochure. Use title case for capitalization, which means capitalizing the first and last words of the title, as well as any principal words in between.
• Publisher: Include the name of the publisher of the brochure. If the publisher’s name is the same as the author or organization, omit the author’s name from the citation and list the title of the brochure first. If the publisher’s name differs from the author, list the publisher’s name following the title.
• Date of Publication: Provide the publication date of the brochure. Use the year of publication. Follow the year with a comma.
• URL: If the brochure is accessed online, include the URL without “http://” or “https://”. If the brochure is in print, omit the URL from the citation.

CITATION EXAMPLES FOR A BROCHURE

In this citation, the title Explore Yellowstone National Park is listed first because the publisher’s name, National Park Service, is the same as the author.

Handle Multiple Authors Correctly: If a brochure lists multiple authors, format the citation to include all of them. For two authors, list both names separated by “and.” For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” Cite a Corporate Author Appropriately: If a brochure is authored by a corporation, government agency, or other organization, treat the entity as the author. Always use the full official name of the organization. Account for Brochure Revisions or Editions: If the brochure you are citing is a revised edition or has been updated, include this information in your citation. This is especially important for documents that are frequently updated.  Include Descriptive Titles When Necessary: When the brochure has a descriptive title or subtitle, include it in your citation. Descriptive titles provide more context and can help in accurately identifying the document. Use a colon to separate the title from the subtitle.