How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA 9 Format

Journal Article Citations in MLA 9, Format, Rules, and Why They Matter

In MLA 9, a journal article citation in your Works Cited list follows a clear pattern. The goal is to help readers identify the article, locate it quickly, and trust that your source details are accurate. MLA citations are designed to be consistent, readable, and easy to scan, especially when a Works Cited page includes many sources.

A journal article citation usually includes these core parts, in this order:

1. Author
2. Title of the article
3. Title of the journal
4. Volume and issue numbers
5. Publication date
6. Page range
7. Database or website name (if accessed online through one)
8. DOI or URL (when available and useful)
9. Access date (optional, but often used for online sources)

Not every journal article will have every element. MLA 9 asks you to include what is available and helpful, especially stable location details like a DOI.

The Basic MLA 9 Template for a Journal Article

Print or PDF with stable page numbers

Author Last, First Middle. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Month Year, pp. page range.

Online journal article (often from a database)

Author Last, First Middle. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Month Year, pp. page range. Database Name, DOI or URL.

If there are no page numbers (common with some web-based journals), MLA allows you to omit the page range.

Author Rules (Your Required Rules, Explained Clearly)

One author

• Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
• Invert the first author’s name.

Format:
Last, First Middle.

This matters because Works Cited entries are alphabetized by the first element, usually the author’s last name. Inverting the name makes that sorting consistent and easy.

Two authors

• First author is inverted.
• Second author is in normal order.
• Use and between names.

Format:
Last, First Middle, and First Middle Last.

This matters because MLA uses a predictable pattern. Readers can instantly see there are two authors, and the entry remains easy to alphabetize under the first author.

Three or more authors

• List only the first author, inverted and using full first name.
• Add et al. immediately after the first author.
• Do not list additional authors before et al.

Format:
Last, First Middle, et al.

This matters because many academic articles have long author lists. MLA keeps citations readable while still crediting the group.

No author

• Start with the title of the article.
• Do not use “Anonymous.”
• Do not use “n.d.”
• For alphabetizing, ignore A, An, and The.

This matters because the Works Cited list still needs a stable first element to alphabetize. The title becomes the anchor.

Title Rules: Article Title vs. Journal Title

Article title

• Put the article title in quotation marks.
• Use title-style capitalization, meaning capitalize main words.

Example:
"Language and Memory in Bilingual Learners"

Journal title

• Put the journal title in italics.
• Keep the official journal name as it appears.

Example:
Journal of Applied Linguistics

This matters because readers can quickly distinguish the smaller work (the article) from the larger container (the journal). MLA calls the larger work a “container.”

Volume, Issue, Date, and Pages: What to Include

Volume and issue

Use the abbreviations MLA expects:

• vol. for volume
• no. for issue

Example:
vol. 18, no. 2,

Date

Use the most specific date the journal provides. Many journals use month and year, others use only year.

Examples:
- Mar. 2023
- 2021

Pages

Use pp. for a page range.

Example:
pp. 115-138.

If the article uses an article number instead of pages, include what the journal provides. If there are no pages listed anywhere, omit pages.

This matters because volume, issue, date, and pages help a reader locate the exact article, even if links change.

DOI vs. URL (Online Articles)

DOI

A DOI is usually the best locator because it is designed to be stable.

• Include it when available.
• You can write it as a full link.

Example:
https://doi.org/10.1353/abc.2024.0017

URL

If there is no DOI, use a stable URL, preferably one that is not a temporary session link.

This matters because readers should be able to find the source later. DOIs usually outlast website redesigns.

Example 1, One Author (Print or PDF)

Works Cited entry:

Garcia, Elena M. "Community Literacy Programs and Adult Learning Outcomes." Journal of Literacy Research, vol. 55, no. 1, Feb. 2023, pp. 22-49.

Why this is correct

• Author name is inverted: Garcia, Elena M.
• Full first name is used, not E. M. Garcia.
• Article title is in quotes.
• Journal title is italicized.
• Volume and issue are labeled with vol. and no.
• Date and page range are included to help readers locate it.

Practical tip

If you are using a PDF from a database, it often shows the same page numbers as the print version. Use those page numbers if they are clearly provided.

Example 2, Two Authors (Online Database, with DOI)

Works Cited entry:

Patel, Rina S., and Jonathan Lee. "Sleep Quality and Academic Performance in First-Year College Students." College Health Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, 2022, pp. 201-219. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/48592011.

Why this is correct

• First author inverted: Patel, Rina S.
• Second author not inverted: Jonathan Lee.
• Uses “and” between authors, as required.
• Database name is included as a second container, because the article is accessed through JSTOR.
• DOI is included, giving a stable path to the article.

Common pitfall to avoid

Do not invert the second author’s name. This is incorrect in MLA:
Patel, Rina S., and Lee, Jonathan.
MLA uses normal order for the second author in two-author works.

Example 3, Three or More Authors (Use et al.)

Works Cited entry:

Nguyen, Minh T., et al. "Urban Heat Islands and Public Health Risk Mapping." Environmental Data and Society, vol. 9, no. 2, Apr. 2024, pp. 77-104, https://doi.org/10.1016/eds.2024.04.006.

Why this is correct

• Only the first author is listed, inverted and with a full first name.
• et al. replaces the remaining authors, as required.
• All other elements follow the journal article pattern.

Common pitfall to avoid

Do not list multiple authors and then add et al. Your rule requires only the first author, then et al.

Incorrect under your rules:
Nguyen, Minh T., Sarah Kim, Omar Hassan, et al.

Correct under your rules:
Nguyen, Minh T., et al.

No Author Scenario (Quick Model)

If an article has no listed author, begin with the title:

"Mapping Coastal Erosion in the Great Lakes Region." Great Lakes Geography Review, vol. 31, no. 1, 2021, pp. 10-28.

Tip for alphabetizing

Alphabetize by “Mapping,” not “The Mapping,” if the title begins with The, A, or An. You still write the title normally in the citation, but you ignore those opening articles when alphabetizing.

Why These Rules Matter

• Clarity: Full first names reduce confusion between authors with similar initials.
• Consistency: Inverting only the first author keeps Works Cited entries uniform and easy to scan.
• Credibility: Accurate containers, volume, issue, and dates show careful research.
• Findability: DOIs, page ranges, and correct journal details help readers retrieve the exact source.
• Respect and attribution: Naming authors clearly supports ethical scholarship and proper credit.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

Tips

• Copy details from the article’s first page and the journal’s official record page, then format them yourself.
• Prefer a DOI over a URL when both are available.
• Keep punctuation exact. MLA uses periods to separate major parts and commas within parts like volume and issue.

Common pitfalls

• Using initials instead of full first names.
• Inverting the second author in a two-author citation.
• Forgetting quotation marks around the article title.
• Italicizing the article title instead of the journal title.
• Using a temporary database link that breaks later, instead of a DOI or stable URL.
• Leaving out volume and issue when they are available.

If you want, paste one of your journal articles’ details, authors, title, journal name, volume, issue, year, pages, DOI or URL, and I can format it exactly in MLA 9 using your author-name rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Journal Article Citation Mla Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

Overview, what counts as a special case in MLA 9 journal articles

A “standard” MLA 9 journal article entry in a Works Cited list usually looks like this:

Last, First Middle. “Article Title.” Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI or URL.

Special cases happen when one or more of those parts is missing, unusual, or needs extra care, for example: many authors, no author, online only page numbers, advance online publication, database access, multiple versions, or articles that are not traditional research articles (editorials, letters, reviews). MLA 9 is flexible, but it still expects you to present core facts clearly so a reader can find the exact source you used.

Your author rules matter because the Works Cited list is alphabetized by the first element, often the author. Using full first names and inverting the first author consistently makes entries easier to scan, easier to sort, and less likely to confuse two different people who share a last name and initials.

Author edge cases (most common source of mistakes)

Two authors, correct order and punctuation

For two authors, MLA uses and, and only the first author is inverted.

Format
Last, First Middle, and First Middle Last. “Title.” Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI/URL.

Common pitfalls
- Inverting both authors, this is not MLA style.
- Using an ampersand, MLA prefers and.
- Using initials, your guide requires full first names.

Three or more authors, use et al.

For three or more authors, list only the first author, then et al. Do not list the second author before et al.

Format
Last, First Middle, et al. “Title.” Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI/URL.

Common pitfalls
- Listing the first three authors, then et al., some styles do that, but your rule says first author only.
- Forgetting the period after al.
- Treating et al. as italic, MLA does not require italics for it.

No author, start with the title

If no author is credited, begin with the article title in quotation marks. Do not use Anonymous. Do not insert n.d.

Format
“Article Title.” Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI/URL.

Practical tip
If the article is signed by a group or organization, that is an author. If it is truly unsigned, start with the title.

Title and container edge cases

Titles with subtitles, keep the punctuation

If the article has a subtitle, include it after a colon, exactly as shown in the source.

Example pattern
“Main Title: Subtitle.” Journal Title, ...

Common pitfall
Dropping the subtitle can make it harder to identify the exact article, especially in themed issues.

Special issue themes and section titles

Sometimes a journal issue has a theme, and articles appear under a section heading. In MLA, the journal remains the container. You usually do not add the theme unless it is necessary to identify the source, or it appears as a formal part of the issue information.

Practical tip
If the journal labels the issue as “Special Issue: X,” you can include that after the journal title as an optional element, but do not let it replace volume, number, and date details.

Volume, issue, and date edge cases

Missing volume or issue numbers

Some journals, especially newer online journals, may not use volume or issue numbers. MLA allows you to include what is available.

• If you have only a year and an issue identifier, include it.
• If you have a month or season instead of an issue number, include that as the date.

Common pitfall
Inventing vol. or no. values. Only record what the source provides.

Seasons and ranges of months

If the journal date is “Spring 2024” or “January to March 2023,” include it as given.

Tip
Keep the journal’s wording, but be consistent with capitalization.

Pagination and “no page numbers” situations

Online only articles with no page range

Many online journals use article numbers or e-locators instead of pages, or they have no numbering at all.

• If there is an article number, include it in place of pages, for example: article 12 or e12345, depending on what the journal uses.
• If there are no pages and no article number, you can omit the page element entirely.

Common pitfalls
- Writing “pp. n.p.” or similar placeholders, MLA 9 does not require that.
- Using the PDF page count if it is not part of the official citation information. If the PDF has stable page numbers that the journal uses, you can cite them, but do not guess.

Page ranges with letters

Some journals use pages like S12 to S19 for supplements.

Tip
Record them exactly, including the letter.

DOI, URL, database, and access edge cases

DOI versus URL, use DOI when available

In MLA 9, include a DOI if the article has one. If there is no DOI, use a stable URL.

Why it matters
A DOI is designed to remain stable even if the webpage changes. It helps readers locate the article reliably.

Common pitfalls
- Adding both a DOI and a long tracking URL. Prefer the DOI alone when it exists.
- Breaking the DOI with extra punctuation in a way that makes it unusable. MLA allows a period at the end of the citation, but make sure the DOI itself is correct.

Articles accessed through a database

If you found the article in a library database, MLA often treats the database as a second container. You cite the journal as the first container, then the database name, then the URL or DOI provided by the database.

Tip
Use the database’s stable link if available. Avoid session-based links that expire.

Access dates, when to include them

MLA 9 does not require an access date for every online source, but it is useful when content is likely to change, or when no clear publication date is available.

Practical tip
If the journal page has no clear publication date, an access date helps show when you viewed it.

Version and publication status edge cases

Advance online publication, early view, or online first

Some articles appear online before they are assigned to a volume, issue, or pages.

How to handle
Cite what you have, usually the journal title and date, then the DOI or URL. When volume, issue, and pages are missing, do not invent them.

Common pitfall
Citing the later final version details when you actually used the early view PDF, or vice versa. If you used a specific version, cite that version’s details.

Corrections, errata, and retractions

If you are citing a correction notice, cite it as its own journal item. If you are citing the original article, cite the original, and consider mentioning in your writing that it was corrected or retracted if that is relevant.

Examples with detailed explanations (following your author rules)

Example 1, two authors, print or PDF with pages and a DOI

Works Cited entry
Nguyen, Hannah Marie, and Carlos Eduardo Ramirez. “Community Clinics and Preventive Care Uptake in Rural Counties.” Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 45, no. 2, 2024, pp. 155-178. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-024-00456-7.

Why this is correct
- The first author is inverted, Nguyen, Hannah Marie, which supports alphabetizing by last name.
- The second author is in normal order, Carlos Eduardo Ramirez, and connected with and.
- The article title is in quotation marks, the journal title is italicized.
- Volume, issue, year, and page range are included.
- A DOI is provided as a link, which is stable and reader-friendly.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Writing “Nguyen, H. M.” or “Ramirez, C. E.” Your rule requires full first names.
- Inverting the second author, MLA does not do that for two authors.

Example 2, three or more authors, database as second container, no page numbers

Works Cited entry
Okafor, Chiamaka Nneka, et al. “Sleep Regularity and Academic Performance in First-Year University Students.” College Health Review, vol. 18, no. 1, 2023. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=167890123.

Why this is correct
- Three or more authors are shortened to Okafor, Chiamaka Nneka, et al. per your rule.
- No page numbers are shown, so the page element is omitted rather than faked.
- The journal is the first container, then the database is listed as a second container, which reflects how you accessed it.
- The database link is included so the reader can retrieve the item through the same platform.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Listing “Okafor, Chiamaka Nneka, James Lee, and Priya Shah,” then et al. Your rule says first author only, then et al.
- Using a temporary URL that expires. Prefer a permalink or stable link when the database provides one.

Example 3, no author, online first, include access date when the publication date is unclear

Works Cited entry
“Reassessing Carbon Pricing in Emerging Economies.” International Economics Forum, online first, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/ief.2025.102233. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Why this is correct
- No author is credited, so the entry begins with the title in quotation marks.
- The journal title is italicized as the container.
- “online first” signals that the article is published ahead of issue assignment, which explains why volume, issue, and pages might not exist yet.
- The access date helps because online first pages can change as the article moves into a finalized issue.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Starting with “Anonymous” or adding “n.d.” MLA does not require those placeholders.
- Guessing a volume and issue based on the journal’s current issue.

Why these rules matter (clarity, consistency, and findability)

• Clarity: Full first names reduce confusion between authors with similar initials. This is especially important in interdisciplinary fields.
• Consistency: Inverting only the first author and using et al. the same way every time makes your Works Cited easier to read and grade.
• Findability: Correct container details, especially DOI or stable URLs, help readers locate the exact article you used, even years later.

Practical tips and common pitfalls checklist

Practical tips

• Copy article titles carefully, including subtitles and capitalization as shown.
• Prefer a DOI over a long URL. If no DOI exists, use a stable URL.
• If you used a database, record the database name and a permalink.
• If the article is online first, cite what exists now, and do not invent missing elements.
• Keep a screenshot or saved PDF of the version you read, especially for online first articles.

Common pitfalls

• Using initials instead of full first names.
• Inverting the second author in a two-author citation.
• Listing multiple authors before et al. when there are three or more.
• Adding placeholders like n.d., n.p., or Anonymous.
• Using unstable links with tracking codes or session IDs.

If you want, paste one or two journal article details you are working with, and I can format them into Works Cited entries that follow your exact author rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a journal article in MLA 9 for my Works Cited page?

In MLA 9, a journal article entry usually follows this pattern: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI or URL. Use quotation marks for the article title and italicize the journal title. Include volume and issue numbers when available, and use “pp.” for page range. If the article has a DOI, include it as a link (https://doi.org/...). If there is no DOI, use a stable URL from the database or publisher site. Practical scenario: If you found the article in JSTOR, you can cite the journal details plus the DOI or stable URL, you do not need to list JSTOR as a “container” unless your instructor requires it. For more guidance, see MLA Works Cited: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

Do I need to include the database name (JSTOR, EBSCO, ProQuest) when citing a journal article in MLA?

Often you can cite the journal as the main container and then include a DOI or stable URL, without naming the database. MLA 9 focuses on helping readers locate the source, so the DOI is best when available. If there is no DOI and the article is only accessible through a database, it can be helpful to include the database name as a second container and then a stable URL or permalink. Practical scenario: You access a PDF through EBSCO and the publisher URL is not available. You can cite the journal information, then the database name in italics, followed by the permalink. Always follow your instructor’s preferences, some courses require the database name for library sources. MLA’s container model is explained here: https://style.mla.org/containers/

How do I cite a journal article with two or more authors in MLA 9?

For two authors, list the first author as Last Name, First Name, then add “and” plus the second author in First Name Last Name order. Example structure: Smith, Jordan, and Casey Lee. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. 12, no. 3, 2022, pp. 45-62, https://doi.org/.... For three or more authors, list the first author only, followed by “et al.” Practical scenario: If your article lists five authors, you still use only the first author’s name plus “et al.” in the Works Cited entry. In your in-text citation, use the first author’s last name (or the first element of the entry) and the page number if available, for example (Smith et al. 51). More details: https://style.mla.org/et-al/

What is the difference between citing a DOI and a URL for a journal article in MLA, and which one should I use?

Use a DOI when the article has one, because it is designed to stay stable even if the webpage changes. MLA recommends including DOIs in URL form, such as https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx. If there is no DOI, use a stable URL, permalink, or the publisher page URL that reliably leads to the article. Practical scenario: You found the article on the journal’s website and it has both a long URL and a DOI. Choose the DOI. Another scenario: You downloaded a PDF from a database and no DOI appears. Use the database permalink or stable URL, not the temporary address from your browser bar. If your link is extremely long, do not shorten it unless your instructor requests it. MLA guidance on DOIs and URLs: https://style.mla.org/dois-and-urls/

How do I write an MLA in-text citation for a journal article, especially if there are no page numbers?

MLA in-text citations usually include the author’s last name and a page number, for example (Nguyen 128). If you are quoting or paraphrasing a PDF with page numbers, use those. If the article is in HTML format without page numbers, omit the page number and cite only the author, for example (Nguyen). If there is no author, use a shortened version of the article title in quotation marks, for example (“Climate Policy”); then match that wording to the first element of your Works Cited entry. Practical scenario: You cite a specific section of an online article with headings. MLA does not require paragraph numbers, but you can name the section in your prose, then cite the author in parentheses. More on in-text citations: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/

How do I cite an online-only journal article or an article published ahead of print in MLA 9?

For online-only journal articles, follow the standard journal format, then include the DOI or URL. If the article uses an article number instead of page range, include that identifier, for example “e02543” or “Article 14,” in place of pp. xx-xx, if the journal provides it. For articles published ahead of print, cite the most specific date available and include the version label if shown, such as “Advance online publication” or “Published online,” then add the DOI. Practical scenario: You find an article that lists a year but no volume or issue yet. Include what you have, for example journal title and date, then the DOI or URL. When the final volume and issue become available, update your citation if possible. MLA date and source details: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

Last Updated: 2025-12-31
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