How to reference a journal article in MLA 9
An article reference in MLA 9 has 8 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (Author page)
- Checked 21 October 2026
Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.
The 8 parts
Author. “Title.” Journal, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year, pp. Pages, DOI.
. 2 · TITLE“Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.”3 · JOURNALJournal of Student Health, vol. 4 · VOLUME12, no. 5 · ISSUE3, 6 · DATE2024, pp. 7 · PAGES41–58, 8 · DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In double quotation marks.The article’s own title, with any subtitle.
- 3 · JournalIn italics.The journal’s full name, from its cover or website.
- 4 · VolumeThe number. After “vol.”.On the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 5 · IssueThe number. After “no.”.Next to the volume. Some journals have no issue numbers.
- 6 · DateThe year.The year of the issue, on the article’s first page or the journal’s web page.
- 7 · PagesThe first and last page. After “pp.”.The first and last page of the article.
- 8 · DOIAs a link: https://doi.org/ then the DOI.A code starting 10., on the article’s first page or web page.
Two places, one source
Students who slept more did better in their exams (Patel and Shah).
The author, and the page when there is one.Patel, Ravi, and Meera Shah. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, 2024, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, 2024, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau)
No date
Leave the date out.
Patel, Ravi, and Meera Shah. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: (Patel and Shah)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, Amara, and Ravi Patel. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, 2024, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: (Green and Patel)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, Amara, et al. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, 2024, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
In your essay: (Green et al.)
Check your university’s version
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a journal article in the text?
Give the author, in brackets: (Patel and Shah). To point to one place in it: (Patel and Shah 45)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how MLA 9 sets it out: Patel, Ravi, and Meera Shah. “Sleep and Exam Results in First-Year Students.” Journal of Student Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 41–58, https://doi.org/10.5555/jsh.2024.0123.
Is MLA 9 the same at every university?
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Skip the typing next time
In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.
These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.