So, you need to cite a website. Sounds thrilling, right? But wait—there’s no author. Cue the dramatic music.
Suddenly, your perfect MLA format feels like a puzzle without a picture. Don’t panic. This is where the fun begins.
The Great Author Hunt
You search high and low. Your eyes scan every corner of the webpage. But the author is a ghost.
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Maybe the article was written by “Admin” or “Staff Writer.” Those aren’t real people. In MLA, they don’t count.
Here’s the secret: No author means you use the title instead. Yes, the title becomes the star of the show.
The Punctuation Dance
Your in-text citation now starts with the title. But be careful—it’s a shorter version. Think of it as a nickname.
If the title is “How to Train Your Cat to Do Taxes,” you’d use “How to Train” in parentheses. Keep it short, like a text message.
And no comma between the title and the page number. Why? Because MLA rules are quirky like that.
The Works Cited Slide
Now, let’s build that Works Cited entry. It’s like a tiny puzzle. And you’re the puzzle master.
Start with the title in quotation marks (if it’s a page) or italicized (if it’s a whole site). Then add the website name, publisher, and date.
Wait, no publisher? Just skip it. No date? Write “n.d.” for “no date.” It’s like MLA’s version of a shrug.
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Fun tidbit: If the website is run by the same organization as the publisher, you skip the publisher. Mind blown yet?
The URL Tango
Oh, the URL. You used to hate it. Now you love it. MLA 9th edition says to include it. But ditch the “https://”—it’s so last decade.
Just write www.example.com. And always add a period at the end. Yes, even if it looks weird. The period is the final boss.
If the URL is a mile long, use a shortened link. Or wrap it in angle brackets if you’re feeling old-school. Your choice.
Why This is Actually Fun
Think of it this way: you’re a detective. The author is missing. You build the citation from clues—the title, the site, the date.
Every time you cite? It’s a tiny victory. You outsmarted the blank space. You gave credit where it’s due, even if no one signed their name.
Pro tip: Break the rules with a grin. MLA is a guide, not a prison. If the site has a funny name, let it shine.
The Weirdest Part
Here’s a secret: even professors get confused. They’ll check your citation and say, “Wait, no author?” And you’ll nod like a sage.
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You’ll explain the title trick. They’ll be impressed. You might even get bonus points for rebel punctuation.
And if you’re citing a meme? Yes, that happens. No author. Just the title “Distracted Boyfriend.” You’re a citation wizard now.
The Final Checklist
Did you use the title in quotes in-text? Yes. Did you list it alphabetically in Works Cited? By first word, but ignore “A,” “An,” or “The.”
Did you include the date of access? MLA says it’s optional, but do it anyway. It’s like a timestamp of your genius.
One more thing: If the website is a whole book? Italicize the title. If it’s a blog post? Quotes. You’ve got this.
You’re a Citation Ninja
No author? No problem. You just used the title as your guide. You danced with punctuation and won.
Next time you see a citation assignment, laugh. You know the trick. You know the loopholes. You are unstoppable.
Go forth, cite that orphaned webpage. Give it a name. Give it a date. And smile knowing you just crushed MLA format.
You rock. Now go celebrate with a meme—and cite it properly, of course.