To cite Wikipedia in MLA 9th edition, create a Works Cited entry that includes the page title, "Wikipedia," "The Free Encyclopedia," "Wikimedia Foundation," the last updated date, and the permalink.
Crafting Your Wikipedia Works Cited Entry
When citing a Wikipedia article in MLA 9th edition, it's essential to capture specific details to help your readers locate the exact version of the article you consulted. Wikipedia articles are continuously updated, so including a permalink (a stable link to a specific version) is crucial.
Your Works Cited entry for a Wikipedia article should generally include the following elements in order:
- Page Title: The specific title of the Wikipedia article you are citing.
- Website Name: The name of the website, which is Wikipedia.
- Publisher: The publisher of the content, which is "The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation."
- Last Updated Date: The specific date (Day Month Year) when the version of the article you accessed was last updated. This is usually found at the bottom of the article's history.
- Permalink URL: The stable link to the exact version of the article you used.
Full Works Cited Format
Here is the precise format for a Wikipedia entry in your Works Cited list:
"Page name." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Day Month Year last updated, permalink.
Example Works Cited Entry
Here is a practical example following the MLA 9th edition format:
"The Fellowship of the Ring." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 May 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring&oldid=1086623696.
Why a Permalink is Crucial
Wikipedia articles are dynamic and can be edited by anyone at any time. This means that an article's content might change between the time you access it and when your reader tries to verify your source. Using a permalink ensures that anyone reviewing your citation can access the exact version of the page you consulted, preserving the integrity of your research. You can usually find the permalink under the "Tools" section in the sidebar of a Wikipedia page (often labeled "Permanent link" or "Cite this page").
Wikipedia Citation Components
For clarity, here's a table summarizing the components for your Works Cited entry:
| Component | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Page Title | The specific article's title, enclosed in quotation marks. | "The Fellowship of the Ring" |
| Website Name | The name of the encyclopedia, italicized. | Wikipedia |
| Publisher | The institution responsible for the content. | The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation |
| Last Updated | The date the specific version you viewed was last updated. | 7 May 2022 |
| Permalink URL | The stable link to the exact version of the article you accessed. | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring&oldid=1086623696 |
Creating In-Text Citations for Wikipedia
For in-text citations, MLA generally uses the first element of the Works Cited entry, which for Wikipedia is typically the article title. Since page numbers are not applicable to Wikipedia articles, you will simply use the shortened article title in quotation marks.
Format: ("Shortened Article Title")
Example:
Many scholars consider "The Fellowship of the Ring" a seminal work in the fantasy genre ("Fellowship").
If the article title is mentioned in your sentence, you do not need to repeat it in the parenthetical citation.
General Guidance on Using Wikipedia as a Source
While useful for initial research or gaining a quick overview of a topic, Wikipedia is an open-source encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use Wikipedia as a starting point for your research rather than as a primary academic source. Always cross-reference information found on Wikipedia with more authoritative and peer-reviewed sources, especially for scholarly papers.
For more information on MLA style, refer to official MLA resources or reputable guides like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).
