Mistakes Checklist
Common MLA Journal Article 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
- ⚠Italicizing article titles
- ⚠Forgetting page numbers in parenthetical citations
- ⚠Not including the database name
- ⚠Using full "volume" instead of "vol."
Fix checklist
- ✓Put article titles in quotation marks
- ✓Italicize journal names
- ✓Include page numbers in in-text citations
- ✓Use vol. and no. abbreviations
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to include the database in MLA?
Yes, if you accessed the article through a database, include the database name (italicized) and DOI or URL.
How do I cite a journal article with no DOI?
Use the stable URL from the database. If no stable URL exists, include just the database name.
Build the corrected citation now
Use the template and guide, then generate the final citation from verified academic sources.