Researchers and scholars in the humanities typically follow the style guide of the Modern Language Association (MLA). Published as the MLA Handbook, and now in the 9th edition, the style guide provides a set of common practices for formatting and crediting source material.
Note: the 8th and 9th editions don't differ by much; the 9th simply offers many more example citations for a variety of sources.
The parts of an MLA citation follow a specific order. If you don't have one of the elements listed in this order, just move to the next one on the list.
Bear in mind instructor preferences may vary from 'official' MLA formatting. For example, Professor Torrey prefers clickable URLs in citations for this class.
Visit the Library's Citations guide for tips and examples of APA and CSE.
Stories coming from oral traditions make it hard to identify an author.
Some story collections just won't have an author's name for giving credit - and that's okay!
Start your citation with the name of the story! For MLA citation elements that means the name of the story is the "source" and the name of the collection or website is the "container."
Often the names of people associated with story collections are generally the story recorders and should not necessarily be considered "authors."
Formally, MLA citation recommends adding the URL for websites but omitting http:// or https:// from the URL; however, for Professor Torrey's class, include the full URL as a working link!
Notes about online books:
Not all ebooks are identical matches to their printed-page editions: page numbering may vary (or not exist), publication dates may be distinctly different, publishers may change. For these reasons, be mindful of including digital details to help others track down the story!
MLA allows us to not have to repeat: we can omit the name of the publisher when the title of the website is the same or similar.
Extra information (like the place of origin [Turkey], the publication date and title of Dr. Kúnos' book, and even Dr. Kúnos' name) can be included but is not necessary.
"The Three Orange Peris." Fairytalez.com, recorded by Ignácz Kúnos in Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales, 1913, https://fairytalez.com/three-orange-peris. Accessed 5 Sep. 2021.
or
"The Three Orange Peris." Fairytalez.com, recorded by Ignácz Kúnos, https://fairytalez.com/three-orange-peris. Accessed 5 Sep. 2021.
or
"The Three Orange Peris." Fairytalez.com, recorded by Ignácz Kúnos, https://fairytalez.com/three-orange-peris. Accessed 5 Sep. 2021.
or simply
"The Three Orange Peris." Fairytalez.com, https://fairytalez.com/three-orange-peris. Accessed 5 Sep. 2021.
By the way: a peri is a fairy.
"The Warthog and the Lion." Folktales from the Moose of Burkina Faso, recorded by Alain-Joseph Sissao, translated by Nina Tani, Langaa RPICG, 2010, EBSCOhost, https://ezproxy.pc.maricopa.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=410917&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_9, pp. 9-10.
or
"The Warthog and the Lion." Folktales from the Moose of Burkina Faso, Alain-Joseph Sissao and Nina Tani, Langaa RPICG, 2010, EBSCOhost, https://ezproxy.pc.maricopa.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=410917&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_9, pp. 9-10.
For example, this story is from a book available through the Greater Phoenix Digital Library (public library) and read on the Libby app. Here's how we identify the MLA citation elements:
Including the detail "ebook" along with identifying the place of access is hugely helpful to others wanting to find the story for themselves.
"How to Grow Boiled Beans/Cómo Sembrar Frijoles Cocidos." The Coyote under the Table / El Coyote debajo de la Mesa: Folktales Told in Spanish and English, compiled by Joe Hayes, illustrated by Antonio Castro L., ebook, Greater Phoenix Digital Library, Cinco Puntos, 2011.