How to Cite a Government Website MLA: A Journey Through the Labyrinth of Citation Styles

Citing a government website in MLA format can sometimes feel like navigating through a labyrinth, where each turn presents a new challenge or a hidden rule. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities, especially in writing on language and literature. However, when it comes to citing government documents, the rules can become slightly more complex due to the nature of the sources involved.
Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation
Before diving into the specifics of citing a government website, it’s essential to grasp the foundational elements of MLA citation. MLA format typically requires the author’s name, the title of the source, the title of the container (if applicable), other contributors, version, number, publisher, publication date, and location. For online sources, the URL or DOI is also included.
Citing a Government Website in MLA
When citing a government website, the process involves identifying the government agency as the author, as individual authors are often not listed. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Identify the Government Agency: Start with the name of the government agency responsible for the content. This could be a department, bureau, or any other governmental body.
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Title of the Web Page: Next, include the title of the specific web page or document you are citing. This should be in quotation marks.
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Title of the Website: The name of the overall website follows, italicized. This is often the same as the government agency but can differ.
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Publisher: If the publisher is different from the website title, include it here. For government websites, the publisher is often the same as the government agency.
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Publication Date: Include the date the content was published or last updated. If no date is available, use the date you accessed the site.
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URL: Finally, provide the URL of the specific page you are citing. MLA no longer requires the inclusion of “http://” or “https://”.
Example Citation
Here’s an example of how to cite a government website in MLA format:
United States, Department of Education. "No Child Left Behind Act." *U.S. Department of Education*, 20 Jan. 2001, www.ed.gov/nclb.
Special Considerations
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Multiple Agencies: If multiple government agencies are involved, list them in the order they appear on the website, separated by commas.
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No Author: If no specific author is listed, start the citation with the title of the web page or document.
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No Date: If no publication date is available, use the date you accessed the site, formatted as “Accessed Day Month Year.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Omitting the Government Agency: Always include the government agency as the author, even if it seems redundant.
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Incorrect Formatting: Ensure that titles are properly formatted with quotation marks or italics as required.
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Outdated URLs: Always check that the URL is current and leads to the correct page.
Related Q&A
Q1: How do I cite a government report in MLA format? A1: To cite a government report, follow the same structure as a government website, but include the report title in italics and the report number if available.
Q2: What if the government website has no publication date? A2: If no publication date is available, use the date you accessed the site, formatted as “Accessed Day Month Year.”
Q3: Can I use a shortened URL for MLA citations? A3: MLA recommends using the full URL, but if the URL is excessively long, you can use a shortened version, provided it reliably directs to the source.
Q4: How do I cite a government website with multiple authors? A4: If a government website lists multiple authors, include all of them in the citation, separated by commas. If there are more than three authors, you can use “et al.” after the first author’s name.
Navigating the intricacies of MLA citation for government websites can be daunting, but with a clear understanding of the rules and careful attention to detail, you can master this essential academic skill.