How to Cite a Journal Article in MLA 9
Complete guide with examples for citing academic journal articles in MLA 9th edition, including those from databases, online, and print.
Basic Format: Article from an Online Database
Include author(s), article title (in quotation marks), journal name (italicized), volume and issue numbers, publication date, page range, database name, and DOI or URL.
Works Cited Entry
Author(s). "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. xx-xx. Database Name, DOI/URL.
Example: Article with DOI
Citation
Tremblay, Marie-Ève. "Microglial Function in the Aging Brain." Journal of Neuroscience Research, vol. 98, no. 2, 2020, pp. 234-245. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.24567.
In‑Text Citation
(Tremblay 238)
Article Without a DOI (Stable URL)
Example
Chan, Anthony. "Decolonizing the Canadian University." Canadian Journal of Higher Education, vol. 51, no. 3, 2021, pp. 12-28. Érudit, www.erudit.org/en/journals/cjhe/2021-v51-n3-cjhe12345/.
Print Journal Article
Example
Robinson, Eden. "Writing the West Coast." Canadian Literature, no. 242, 2020, pp. 89-104.
Article with Multiple Authors
Example (Three or More Authors)
Singh, Jasmine, et al. "Climate Anxiety and Youth Mental Health." Environmental Research Letters, vol. 18, no. 4, 2023, p. 044012. IOPscience, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acc123.
In‑Text Citation
(Singh et al. 5)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the article has an issue number but no volume number?
Include "no." before the issue number, e.g., Journal Name, no. 45, 2022, pp. 12-20.
Should I include the access date for online articles?
MLA 9 does not require an access date unless the content is likely to change (e.g., a wiki). For stable journal articles with a DOI, omit the access date.