Prof. Putorti - Eng.101 FALL 2025: Citation: Elements of an MLA 9 Citation

9 Common Core Elements

Rather than give strict format rules for different types of sources, the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook identifies 9 "core elements" common to most sources and provides flexible guidelines on how to reference them in your Works Cited list.

(Commas separate details of the "container" or master work until all details are exhausted.)

​When you write a research paper, you use information and facts from a variety of resources to support your own ideas to develop new ones. You cite these sources for the following reasons:

• Give credit to the original source by acknowledging experts and scholars for their contribution.
• Establish credibility by demonstrating to your reader that your ideas are well supported. 
• Help the reader by guiding them to more information about your topic.
• Help researchers organize and share information in a standardized way

If you do not cite your sources, that is PLAGIARISM. 

Note:  You must cite an author even if you paraphrase their words.