We use MLA style at Burbank in the English department (other departments use other formats).

There are a few simple rules.

Titles of books go in italics. Not underline, not quotation marks.
Most words in a title are capitalized (words like “a” and “the” sometimes are not. Check the title page to make sure.)

When you use a quote (or paraphrase an idea), you must cite it. The citation comes at the VERY END of the sentence (even if the quote is in the beginning or middle).

The citation is in parentheses and includes the page number.

The citation comes BEFORE the period (or other end mark).

If you are writing about more than one book in an essay, you have to use the author’s LAST name in each citation. If you’re only writing about one book, you can use only the page number.

Do not use dashes, commas,  “page,”  “pg.” or “P” in there.

It looks like this:  Because of the weather, “out-door exercise was now out of the question” (Bronte 1).

To sum up:

• Titles are italicized.
• Cite all your quotes (and borrowed ideas).
• Citations always go at the end of the sentence.
• Citations include the page number.
• Citations are in parentheses.
• Citations come before the end mark.
• Use author’s LAST name.
• No punctuation, no other additions besides name and number.

The OWL can be a very useful resource.

If you use a site like EasyBib, be VERY sure to make certain you have the most accurate information for your edition of the book, and that it formats it correctly.