How to Format Various MLA Contributors

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 11/16/2023
• Updated on12/05/2023

In MLA citation style, understanding how to format various contributor types is crucial. Each contributor, be it an author, editor, or online participant, holds a specific place in the citation framework. We look into MLA guidelines for different contributors, providing concise insights and examples for accurate citations.

Pay attention to details in the source to accurately reflect the contribution of each individual or entity. Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your document to enhance readability and professionalism. Always refer to the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for specific and up to date guidelines.

SINGLE AUTHOR

Include the author’s last name followed by the first name or initials.

Example	Dosey, Ted.
Structure	Author Surname, Author First Name(s) or Initial(s).

TWO AUTHORS

For two authors, list their last names followed by first names or initials, separated by ‘and’.

Example	Dosey, Ted, and Kate Liao.
Structure	Author 1 Surname, Author 1 First Name(s) or Initial(s), and Author 2 First Name(s) &/or Initial(s) Author 2 Surname.

THREE OR MORE AUTHORS

When there are three or more authors, include the first author followed by ‘et al.’ to indicate additional contributors.

Example	Liao, Christina, et al.
Structure	Author 1 Surname, Author 1 First Name(s) or Initial(s), et al.

EDITOR

Specify the editor’s name followed by ‘editor’ or ‘editors’ label for single or multiple editors, respectively.

Example	Maxim, Claire, editor.
Structure	Editor Surname, Editor First Name(s) or Initial(s), editor.

TWO EDITORS

Example	Maxim, Claire, and Kate Liao, editors.
Structure	Editor 1 Surname, Editor 1 First Name(s) or Initial(s), and Editor 2 First Name(s) &/or Initial(s) Editor 2 Surname, editors.

THREE OR MORE EDITORS

Example	Maxim, Claire, et al., editors.
Structure	Editor 1 Surname, Editor 1 First Name(s) or Initial(s), et al., editors.

GROUP OR CORPORATE AUTHOR

Use the full name of the organization or corporation as the author.

Example	World Health Organization.
Structure	Group/Corporate Author(s).

NO AUTHOR

When there’s no specific author:

Cite the title of the webpage in quotation marks for webpages.

Example	“The Art of Science.”
Structure	“Title of Webpage.”

All other source types cite the title of the work in italics.

Example	BBC News.
Structure	Title of Work.

Do not use ‘Anonymous’ as the author’s name in the MLA style.

TRANSLATOR

Include the translator’s name and specify their role as ‘translator’.

Example	Smith, Lisa. The Leap. Translated by Gareth Williams.
Structure	Author Surname, Author First Name(s) &/or Initial(s). Title of Book. Translated by Translator First Name(s) &/or Initial(s) Translator Surname.

EMPHASIS ON TRANSLATOR

Example	Smith, Lisa, translator. The Leap. By Gareth Williams.
Structure	Translator Surname, Translator First Name(s) &/or Initial(s), translator. Title of Book. By Author First Name(s) &/or Initial(s) Author Surname.

 

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