Citing in MLA can be tricky, especially with books, articles, and PDFs all in one paper. It’s easy to get bogged down in punctuation and formatting. EasyBib MLA citation helps simplify the process, especially for unfamiliar sources like databases or reports. With a few tips and WPS Writer formatting tricks, you can focus more on writing and less on citations. This guide will show you how to do exactly just that.
What Are MLA Citation Requirements?
Before you start building citations, it’s important to understand what MLA style really requires. It’s not just about adding a “Works Cited” page at the end of your paper. MLA format is a system meant to give clear and consistent credit to original sources throughout your writing. This includes both in-text citations, brief references within your paragraphs, and a detailed list of full citations at the end. The goal is to help readers easily locate the sources you used while maintaining academic integrity. Taking time to learn these basics will make the entire citation process smoother.
Overview of MLA Format
MLA style is based on the author–page number system. Every in-text citation should point to a full citation in the “Works Cited” list. For example, if you reference something by Toni Morrison, you’d cite it as (Morrison 45). That’s the core of MLA’s consistency.
At the end of your document, you’ll need a list titled “Works Cited” that includes full details for every source. Entries are alphabetized by the author’s last name and formatted with hanging indents. Here are some types of Sources You May Need to Cite:
Books (print and eBook)
Academic journals (print or online)
Database articles (like JSTOR or EBSCOhost)
PDFs and scanned files
Websites, news articles, and even YouTube videos
Each source type has its own quirks. Some use DOI numbers, others need publisher locations. That’s why tools like EasyBib MLA citation are so helpful, they know which fields are required for each citation type, and they update with MLA edition changes.
Using EasyBib to Create MLA Citations
EasyBib makes creating citations quick and simple, no matter what type of source you’re using. Whether it’s a journal article, an online report, a book, a PDF, or something from a database, the tool guides you through each step. All you need to do is enter the source information or a link, and EasyBib generates a properly formatted MLA citation in seconds. It’s especially helpful when dealing with unfamiliar or complex sources. Instead of stressing over the details, and With just a few clicks, EasyBib functions as a reliable MLA source citation generator, helping you stay accurate no matter how many sources you're citing.
If You Need to Cite a Journal Article (Online)
Online journal articles usually include details like volume, issue, page range, and sometimes a DOI. EasyBib automatically pulls this information when you enter the article link or title. It formats everything correctly in MLA style without you needing to look up each part. Here how to do the MLA format EasyBib step-by-step process:
Step 1: Head over to the EasyBib Journal Citation Tool. Paste the title or URL of the article.
Step 2: Select the correct result from the search list. EasyBib will autofill much of the needed data.
Step 3: Review and tweak any details (like missing page numbers), then click “Complete Citation.” You’ll get a complete, MLA-formatted entry ready for copy-pasting.
If You Need to Cite a Source from a Database
Database sources can be confusing since they mix journal details with the database platform.EasyBib simplifies this by providing a clear form to fill out.It separates and formats each part correctly for MLA style. No need to guess what goes where, just follow the prompts
Step 1: Go to EasyBib’s Database Guide, and select “Create manual Citation”
Step 2: Choose the journal title, enter the article’s author, publication year, and volume/issue details.
Step 3: Click “Complete Citation”, to generate your citation
EasyBib supports multiple citation styles, so if you're switching formats, EasyBib Chicago is available alongside MLA and APA for flexibility across assignments.
If You Need to Cite a PDF
Citing a PDF isn’t much different, it depends on what kind of source the PDF contains. Is it a book, article, report, or something else? That’s what matters for MLA format. EasyBib helps you identify the source type and fills in the right details. The PDF format doesn’t change the citation rules, just how you find the info.
Step 1: On EasyBib, choose “Manual Entry” and select the source type (book, article, or website).
Step 2: Fill in the author, title, and publication details you can find within the PDF.
Step 3: Mark the file type as PDF or indicate where the document was accessed if online. Finally click “Complete Citation” to generate the citation from there.
I’ve used this many times when citing scanned book chapters or shared lecture notes, and it’s much easier than building it from scratch.
Formatting EasyBib MLA Citations in WPS Writer
Once you have your citations, they still need to be placed properly inside your document. I’ve used WPS Writer to format dozens of research projects, and it holds up surprisingly well even when working with complex citation styles like MLA. WPS Office is lightweight, free, and compatible with both .docx
and .pdf outputs. It includes everything you need for MLA-style formatting: headers, margins, fonts, and tools for hanging indents. If you're working on a shared Chromebook or an older laptop, WPS won’t slow you down. Here’s how to do MLA style formatting in WPS Writer:
Step 1: If a source has no author, use the title instead. Shorten long titles in in-text citations and place them in quotation marks. The full title should appear in the Works Cited list.
Step 2: If there are no page numbers, include only the author’s name in the in-text citation. If it's mentioned in the sentence, there's no need to repeat it in parentheses.
Step 3: If a source doesn’t list a publication date, MLA recommends including the date you accessed the material instead. This should be added at the end of the Works Cited entry. The example below shows the proper formatting for this type of citation.
WPS makes it easy to adjust margins, align text, and format everything without needing a premium plan or plugins. I’ve never had trouble submitting assignments from WPS to platforms like Turnitin or Google Classroom.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to create an account on EasyBib to use MLA citation tools?
No. EasyBib lets you generate MLA citations without signing up. You only need an account to save or export projects.
Q2: Can EasyBib handle nonstandard sources like PDFs or YouTube videos?
Yes, just select “Manual Entry” and fill in the relevant fields. EasyBib supports a wide range of source types.
Q3: What’s the difference between MLA 8 and MLA 9 on EasyBib?
MLA 9 added updated examples and clarified rules for digital media. EasyBib allows you to select the version you want while generating citations.
