Mastering the Art of MLA Blog Post Citations: A Definitive Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon a brilliant idea in a blog post and want to use it in your academic paper? Excellent! But citing a blog post correctly is crucial for academic integrity. In MLA format, you cite a blog post by including the author’s name (if available), the title of the blog post, the name of the blog, the date of publication, and the URL. It’s a straightforward process when you understand the nuances. Let’s dive in!

The Definitive Guide to Citing Blog Posts in MLA Format

The cornerstone of any citation is accuracy and completeness. MLA, specifically, emphasizes clarity and consistency. When citing a blog post, you’ll generally follow this format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Blog Post.” Name of Blog, Date of Publication, URL.

Let’s break this down piece by piece:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name: If you know the author, this is your starting point. If the blog post is written under a pseudonym, use that pseudonym. If no author is listed, skip to the title of the blog post.

• “Title of Blog Post”: This is the specific title of the article you are referencing. It should be enclosed in quotation marks and follow standard title capitalization rules (capitalize the first, last, and all principal words).

• Name of Blog: This is the name of the overall blog. It should be italicized. Think of it as the “container” holding the blog post.

• Date of Publication: This is the date the blog post was published. Follow the format of Day Month Year (e.g., 15 June 2023). If only the month and year are available, use that.

• URL: Include the permanent link to the specific blog post. Make sure it’s a direct link that takes the reader straight to the article. Omit “https://” unless necessary for the link to function correctly.

Example:

Smith, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, 20 July 2023, www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations.

In-Text Citations: Giving Credit Where It’s Due

While the works cited entry provides the full details, the in-text citation acts as a brief pointer, directing the reader to the full entry. For blog posts, the in-text citation typically includes the author’s last name and the page number (if available). However, blog posts rarely have page numbers. In such cases, just use the author’s last name.

Example:

(Smith)

If no author is listed, use a shortened version of the blog post title in quotation marks.

Example:

(“Importance of Proper Citations”)

Citing Blog Comments: When the Discussion Matters

Sometimes, the real value lies in the comments section! To cite a comment on a blog post, treat the commenter as the author. If they use a pseudonym, use that. The title should be “Comment on” followed by the blog post title.

Example:

Doe, John. Comment on “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, 20 July 2023, www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations.

FAQs: Your Burning Blog Citation Questions Answered

Let’s tackle some common questions that often arise when citing blog posts in MLA format.

1. What if the blog post has multiple authors?

If the blog post has two authors, list both names in the order they appear on the post: Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. If there are three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”).

Example (Two Authors):

Smith, Jane, and John Doe. “The Future of Education.” Education Today, 10 August 2023, www.educationtoday.com/future-of-education.

Example (Three or More Authors):

Smith, Jane, et al. “The Future of Education.” Education Today, 10 August 2023, www.educationtoday.com/future-of-education.

2. How do I handle a blog post with no author?

If no author is listed, start the citation with the title of the blog post. Use the full title in the works cited entry and a shortened version in the in-text citation.

Example:

“The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, 20 July 2023, www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations.

In-text citation: (“Importance of Proper Citations”)

3. What if there is no publication date?

Look carefully for a publication date. Sometimes it’s hidden! If, after thorough searching, you cannot find a date, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”).

Example:

Smith, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, n.d., www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations.

4. How specific should the URL be?

The URL should link directly to the specific blog post. Avoid linking to the blog’s homepage unless that’s the only way to access the content.

5. Should I include the access date?

MLA 9th edition generally does not require access dates unless the content is likely to change or be removed. For example, if the blog post is part of a time-sensitive news feed, including the access date may be prudent.

6. What if the blog post is behind a paywall?

If the blog post is behind a paywall, clearly indicate this in your citation. You can add the phrase “Subscription Required” after the URL.

Example:

Smith, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, 20 July 2023, www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations. Subscription Required.

7. How do I cite a blog post that is a transcript of a podcast or video?

Cite it as a blog post, but in the works-cited-list entry, you can add the phrase “Transcript of Podcast” or “Transcript of Video” after the title of the blog post to indicate the source.

Example:

Smith, Jane. “The Importance of Proper Citations.” Academic Integrity Blog, 20 July 2023, www.academicintegrityblog.com/importance-of-citations. Transcript of Podcast.

8. What if the blog post is part of a larger website?

Focus on citing the blog itself. If the blog is clearly a section within a larger website, you may include the larger website’s name after the blog name, separated by a comma. However, the emphasis should remain on the blog as the primary source.

9. How do I format the works cited page?

The works cited page should be on a separate page at the end of your paper. Entries should be alphabetized by the author’s last name (or the first significant word of the title if there is no author). Each entry should have a hanging indent (where the first line is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented).

10. Is it necessary to cite a blog post if I’m just using it for background information?

Yes, you should cite any source that directly informs your work, even if it’s just for background. It’s always better to over-cite than to risk plagiarism.

11. Can I use a citation generator for blog posts?

Citation generators can be helpful, but they are not always accurate. Always double-check the generated citation against the MLA Handbook or a reliable MLA guide to ensure it’s correct. Pay particular attention to capitalization, punctuation, and URL formatting.

12. What if the blog post is a guest post?

Cite the author of the guest post, not the blog owner (unless the blog owner is also the author of the specific post you’re citing).

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of citing blog posts in MLA format. Remember, accuracy and attention to detail are key. Happy citing!