Citing an essay in MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a critical procedure within the paper writing process. The correct way to cite an essay depends on the formatting style of the essay, or the publication format. The format for citing an essay in MLA style according to the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook is as follows:
Author. Title of source. Title of container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.
For example, if you were citing the essay The Art of the Personal Essay written by Phillip Lopate, it would look like this:
Lopate, Phillip. The Art of the Personal Essay. The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present, edited by Phillip Lopate, Anchor Books, 1994, pp. xxxi-xxxiv.
Whenever you are citing an essay in your paper, make sure to include the name of the author and the title of the essay. Also, include the page numbers of the essay if it was published in a book or anthology. Lastly, include the version and number information and the publisher information in your citation. Remember to double check your sources for accuracy as mistakes can lead to incorrect citations. Following these simple steps will ensure that your essay is properly cited in MLA style.