Mistakes Checklist
Common MLA Book Citation Mistakes
Published studies report citation/reference error rates between 25-54%. Use this page to catch the most frequent formatting failures before submission.
Top mistakes to avoid
- ⚠Using sentence case instead of title case
- ⚠Forgetting page numbers in in-text citations
- ⚠Including city of publication (not required in MLA 9)
- ⚠Putting the title in quotation marks
Wrong vs correct examples
Sentence case instead of title case
Wrong
Gladwell, Malcolm. *Outliers: the story of success.* Little, Brown, 2008.
Correct
Gladwell, Malcolm. *Outliers: The Story of Success.* Little, Brown, 2008.
MLA uses title case (capitalize all major words). This is different from APA which uses sentence case.
Missing page numbers in citation
Wrong
(Gladwell)
Correct
(Gladwell 45)
MLA in-text citations should include page numbers when citing specific passages. Omit only for general references to entire work.
Including city of publication
Wrong
Gladwell, Malcolm. *Outliers.* New York: Little, Brown, 2008.
Correct
Gladwell, Malcolm. *Outliers.* Little, Brown, 2008.
MLA 9 no longer requires the city of publication. This changed from earlier editions.
Mistake frequency snapshot
Fix checklist
- ✓Italicize the book title
- ✓Use title case for all major words
- ✓Include page numbers in in-text citations
- ✓Do not include the publisher location
Frequently asked questions
How do I cite a book with two authors in MLA?
List the first author last name first, then "and" and the second author in normal order: Smith, John, and Jane Doe. Title. Publisher, Year.
How do I cite an e-book in MLA?
Add the e-book format or platform at the end: Author. Title. Publisher, Year. Kindle ed.
Build the corrected citation now
Use the template and guide, then generate the final citation from verified academic sources.