The Works Cited page in MLA style might be the last part of your paper, but that doesn’t mean it should be an afterthought. Done right, it’s a clean, organized list of the sources that helped you build your argument – basically the academic version of giving credit where credit’s due.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to format your Works Cited page in MLA 9th Edition – whether you’re doing it manually or letting PERRLA do all the heavy lifting.
What Belongs on a Works Cited Page?
Only one thing: sources you actually cited in the body of your paper.
If you didn’t quote it, paraphrase it, or refer to it, leave it off the list. Your Works Cited page isn’t a bibliography of everything you read – it’s a focused list of the sources you used.
How to Format the Page (Manually)
If you're building your Works Cited page the old-fashioned way, here’s the format checklist you’ll want to follow:
1. Start on a New Page
- Title it Works Cited, centered at the top (no bold, italics, or underlining)
- Don’t add extra styling – MLA likes it clean and simple
2. Double-Spacing All the Way
- The entire page should be double-spaced – no extra space between entries
3. Use a Hanging Indent
- The first line of each citation is flush with the left margin
- Every subsequent line is indented 0.5 inches
In Microsoft Word: Highlight your citations → Right-click → Paragraph → Special: Hanging
4. Alphabetize by Author’s Last Name
- If there’s no author, use the title (ignoring “A,” “An,” or “The” at the beginning)
- Make sure the order is consistent and accurate
5. Italicize Titles of Larger Works
- Italicize books, websites, journals, movies, etc.
- Use quotation marks for shorter works like articles, poems, or chapters
How PERRLA Can Help
If you’re using PERRLA, creating a Works Cited page is as easy as selecting your source type and entering the details. We handle:
- The correct formatting for each entry
- Alphabetizing your sources
- Hanging indents, spacing, and punctuation
- Special rules for duplicate authors or similar sources
We'll build your Works Cited page automatically – no stress, no formatting mistakes, and no last-minute panic at 11:57 p.m.
Final Tips for MLA 9
- Stick with standard fonts (like Times New Roman, 12 pt)
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides
- Double-check punctuation – commas, periods, and colons matter
- Use DOI links for online sources when possible (or a stable URL)
TL;DR – MLA Works Cited Page Checklist
- ✔ Title the page “Works Cited,” centered and plain
- ✔ Double-space everything, no extra space between entries
- ✔ Use hanging indents
- ✔ Alphabetize by author (or title if no author)
- ✔ Italicize longer works, quote shorter ones
- ✔ Only include sources you actually cited in the paper
- ✔ Use PERRLA if you want it done right the first time