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How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in MLA

Citing a thesis or dissertation.

Thesis – A document submitted to earn a degree at a university.

Dissertation – A document submitted to earn an advanced degree, such as a doctorate, at a university.

The formatting for thesis and dissertation citations is largely the same. However, you should be sure to include the type of degree after the publication year as supplemental information. For instance, state if the source you are citing is an undergraduate thesis or a PhD dissertation.

MLA Thesis and Dissertation Citation Structure (print)

Last, First M.  Title of the Thesis/Dissertation. Year Published. Name of University, type of degree.

MLA Thesis and Dissertation Citation Structure (online)

Last, First M.  Title of the Thesis/Dissertation. Year Published. Name of University, type of degree.  Website Name , URL.

Wilson, Peggy Lynn. Pedagogical Practices in the Teaching of English Language in Secondary Public Schools in Parker County . 2011. University of Maryland, PhD dissertation.

In-text Citation Structure

(Author Last Name page #)

In-text Citation Example

(Wilson 14)

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MLA 9th Edition Style Guide: Footnotes and Endnotes

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Footnotes and Endnotes - Guidelines

• Description
• Why use Footnotes or Endnotes?

Footnotes are placed at the bottom of each pertinent page. The endnotes are placed at the end of your paper, just before the Works Cited list. Don’t mix footnotes and endnotes in the same document. You must choose one or the other and be consistent throughout your paper. All the sources cited in your footnotes or endnotes must also be included in your Works Cited list.

Formatting Footnotes and Endnotes

• Formatting Footnotes
• Formatting Endnotes

Footnotes (examples)

In your main text:

Often the heroine and her eventual husband are kept apart initially by misunderstanding, by the hero’s misguided attraction to another, by financial obstacles, or by family objections. 1

At the bottom of the page:

1. See Green, especially 1-7, and also Hinnant, for further description and discussion of the courtship novel. Green considers Mansfield Park a courtship novel, including it in a list of such novels in the period 1740-1820 (163–64).

Citing a footnote within another source

Books, journal articles and other sources may contain footnotes or endnotes that you would like to cite in your paper. To cite information from a single numbered note, write “n” after the page number, and then write the note number, e.g. (Johnson 93n2). This would be a citation from the second note on page 93 of a source authored by Johnson.

Endnotes Page

MLA recommends that all endnotes be listed on a separate page entitled Notes (centered). The title of the page is Note if there is only one note . If there are two or more notes then the title of the page is Notes and it should appear before the Works Cited page.

The endnotes are double-spaced and listed consecutively by numbers that correspond to the note in your main text. The first line of each endnote is indented five spaces, and subsequent lines are flush with the left margin. After each endnote number you should place a period, a space, and then the appropriate note.

Endnotes page (examples)

1. As the authors argue literacy can be complete when reading is accompanied by writing..

2. For the purposes of this paper, “science” is defined as it was in nineteenth

century agriculture: conducting experiments and engaging in research.

3. Please note that any direct quotes from the nineteenth century texts are written

in their original form, which may contain grammar mistakes according to twenty-first

century grammar rules.

            4. Translations are mine unless otherwise noted.

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Citation guides

All you need to know about citations

How to cite a master's thesis in MLA

To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements:

• Author(s) name: Give the last name and name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by ‘and’ and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson). For three or more authors, list the first name followed by et al. (e. g. Watson, John, et al.)
• Thesis title: Titles are italicized when independent. If part of a larger source add quotation marks and do not italize.
• Year of publication: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
• University: Give the name of the institution.
• Degree: Type of degree.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in MLA style 9th edition:

Author(s) name . Thesis title . Year of publication . University , Degree .

Take a look at our works cited examples that demonstrate the MLA style guidelines in action:

A psychology master's thesis with one author

Bauger, Lars . Personality, Passion, Self-esteem and Psychological Well-being among Junior Elite Athletes in Norway . 2011 . U of Tromsø , Master's Thesis .

A master's thesis with one author

Aube, Kyle Eric . A Comparison of Water Main Failure Prediction Models in San Luis Obispo, CA . 2019 . Cal Poly , Master's Thesis .

This citation style guide is based on the MLA Handbook (9 th edition).

More useful guides

• MLA 8th ed. Style Guide: Dissertations, Theses
• MLA, 8th Edition: Master's Thesis or Project
• How do I cite a dissertation in MLA style?

More great BibGuru guides

• APA: how to cite a BrainPOP video
• APA: how to cite a preface
• AMA: how to cite websites

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A Guide to Using MLA Footnotes and Endnotes

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MLA footnotes and endnotes are used to add additional bibliographical clarity or to provide explanatory information to your paper. MLA recommends a specific format for these notes, how they appear, and guidance on when to use them. Learn how to incorporate MLA footnotes and endnotes below to produce a high-quality paper or essay.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 MLA footnotes and endnotes – In a nutshell
• 2 Definition: MLA footnotes and endnotes
• 3 MLA footnotes and endnotes – Format
• 4 MLA footnotes and endnotes – Multiple sources
• 5 MLA footnotes and endnotes – Citation/translation explanations
• 6 MLA footnotes and endnotes – Elaborate ideas
• 7 MLA footnotes and endnotes – Add more examples

MLA footnotes and endnotes – In a nutshell

•  The MLA writing style discourages extensive notes. It does, however, allow the use of notes to give extra information regarding bibliographic sources in order to offer an explanation of your main text.
• Do not use MLA footnotes and endnotes to cite sources, this should be done within the text itself (in parentheses).
• You can choose to use either footnotes or endnotes – just be consistent.
• Format your MLA footnotes and endnotes correctly, with superscript numbers appearing after punctuation marks and clauses.

Definition: MLA footnotes and endnotes

The MLA style always recommends in-text citations when citing sources within your paper. Unlike other writing styles, like Chicago, notes should never be used in place of citations. Instead, MLA footnotes and endnotes are used for the following:

• When citing many sources at once.
• To provide additional information regarding a citation, like a translation source.
• To elaborate on ideas that would otherwise take up far too much space in parentheses.
• To give extra examples that won’t fit in the main body.

MLA footnotes and endnotes appear either at the bottom of the page or end of the main body. While you can pick either method, be consistent and use just one in your paper. You can cite sources within your notes, too; so, remember to include the full reference within your works cited section.

MLA footnotes and endnotes – Format

MLA footnotes and endnotes are formatted with superscript numbers in the text that correspond with an equivalently numbered note later. It’s a general convention that a superscript number should appear at the end of a sentence following a period. However, it’s also okay to place a superscript number within a sentence after the punctuation of a clause if it helps with clarity. This is particularly useful if there is more than one note within a sentence. An exception to this rule is the use of dashes. If you include a dash (—), include your superscript number before the dash, not after it (¹—).

Here are some common examples of note use and superscript placement within a text:

• Scholars have debated this issue for decades.¹
• Scholars have identified three formats:¹ formal, informal and reductive. Each of these was further outlined in Smith’s (1967) thesis on productivity.²

The note itself appears either at the bottom or end of the text. The corresponding note number is written again in superscript, followed by the note content in the same font as your main body in a smaller text size, usually 10-point text. The first line is also indented. Most word processing programs contain an option for automatic note formatting under the “insert” tab . Your note will appear something like this:

•      ¹. Smith (45) and Robinson (22) refuted the effect of correct punctuation on language progression.

How to format the endnotes page

If you’re using endnotes instead of footnotes, list them at the end of your text on a new page just before the works cited section. This should be center titled either “Notes” or “Endnotes” at the top of the page. As with other MLA formatting conventions, the endnotes section should be double spaced. For example:

•      ¹ For further discussion on the citation, see Parker 12-24; Gibaldi 1-4; and Trimmer 56-59.
•      ² Robinson translated this as stylistique , but the contemporary convention is élégant .

MLA footnotes and endnotes – Multiple sources

MLA footnotes and endnotes provide extra space to cite multiple lengthy sources. This allows you to save space in the text to allow your argument to flow better. This note information can include more sources or supplementary information on the topic/source that’s relevant to the paper. If a note consists solely of sources, you don’t need to use parentheses on the page number/range. For example:

MLA footnotes and endnotes – Citation/translation explanations

MLA footnotes and endnotes should be used to elaborate on information that’s crucial to understanding the source. For instance, information on translations, including your own translations of a text, can be clarified within the notes. Information about editions or specifics to do with editions should also be included in note form. For example:

•      ¹ Translations are provided by Kevin Smith unless otherwise noted.
•      ² Translations of Republic refer to G. M. A. Grube’s edition.

MLA footnotes and endnotes – Elaborate ideas

You can use a note to elaborate on ideas that are mentioned in passing within the text. This is where additional information would be very useful to the reader but not within the argument’s main body. If the information is crucial to your argument, it should be within the main body. While there is no written guidance on note length, you shouldn’t rely on notes to illustrate your knowledge or research, and they should be used sparingly. Be wary about creating excessively long notes as this can be distracting. For example:

•      ¹ Robinson makes it clear that Republic ‘s concern for justice cannot be isolated from the contemporary political life in Athens (42).

MLA footnotes and endnotes – Add more examples

Sometimes, the breadth of examples can affect the flow of your argument within the text. Here, MLA footnotes and endnotes can be used to provide these extra examples with adequate space. Remember, this isn’t a place to simply list sources related to your argument, but sources that enhance your argument or provide useful background for your reader. For instance, many writers opt to place counterexamples in their notes so as to address different opinions/arguments on the topic. For example:

•      ¹ Scientific consensus leans toward this methodology. See, Robinson; Smith; and Haggerston.
•      ² Richardson (45) has taken the opposite opinion.

Do you use footnotes and endnotes in MLA style?

Yes. MLA footnotes and endnotes are allowed. However, the MLA style discourages lengthy notes and prefers tight and concise writing, instead.

Should I cite sources from my main text with MLA footnotes and endnotes?

No. The MLA style allows the use of footnotes and endnotes to provide extra information only. Do not use notes to cite sources within your text.

Do I have to use MLA footnotes and endnotes?

No. You don’t have to use notes within your paper.

Can I cite from footnotes or endnotes?

Yes. To cite a note in the MLA style, write “n” after the page number, followed by the note number.

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Thesis and Dissertation Guide

• « Thesis & Dissertation Resources
• The Graduate School Home

• Introduction
• Copyright Page
• Dedication, Acknowledgements, Preface (optional)
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations
• List of Abbreviations
• List of Symbols

Non-Traditional Formats

Font type and size, spacing and indentation, tables, figures, and illustrations, formatting previously published work.

• Internet Distribution
• Open Access
• Registering Copyright
• Using Copyrighted Materials
• Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Submission Steps
• Submission Checklist
• Sample Pages

II. Formatting Guidelines

All copies of a thesis or dissertation must have the following uniform margins throughout the entire document:

• Left: 1″ (or 1 1/4" to ensure sufficient room for binding the work if desired)
• Right: 1″
• Bottom: 1″ (with allowances for page numbers; see section on Pagination )
• Top: 1″

Exceptions : The first page of each chapter (including the introduction, if any) begins 2″ from the top of the page. Also, the headings on the title page, abstract, first page of the dedication/ acknowledgements/preface (if any), and first page of the table of contents begin 2″ from the top of the page.

Non-traditional theses or dissertations such as whole works comprised of digital, artistic, video, or performance materials (i.e., no written text, chapters, or articles) are acceptable if approved by your committee and graduate program. A PDF document with a title page, copyright page, and abstract at minimum are required to be submitted along with any relevant supplemental files.

Fonts must be 10, 11, or 12 points in size. Superscripts and subscripts (e.g., formulas, or footnote or endnote numbers) should be no more than 2 points smaller than the font size used for the body of the text.

Space and indent your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• The text must appear in a single column on each page and be double-spaced throughout the document. Do not arrange chapter text in multiple columns.
• New paragraphs must be indicated by a consistent tab indentation throughout the entire document.
• The document text must be left-justified, not centered or right-justified.
• For blocked quotations, indent the entire text of the quotation consistently from the left margin.
• Ensure headings are not left hanging alone on the bottom of a prior page. The text following should be moved up or the heading should be moved down. This is something to check near the end of formatting, as other adjustments to text and spacing may change where headings appear on the page.

Exceptions : Blocked quotations, notes, captions, legends, and long headings must be single-spaced throughout the document and double-spaced between items.

Paginate your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Use lower case Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.) on all pages preceding the first page of chapter one. The title page counts as page i, but the number does not appear. Therefore, the first page showing a number will be the copyright page with ii at the bottom.
• Arabic numerals (beginning with 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) start at chapter one or the introduction, if applicable. Arabic numbers must be included on all pages of the text, illustrations, notes, and any other materials that follow. Thus, the first page of chapter one will show an Arabic numeral 1, and numbering of all subsequent pages will follow in order.
• Do not use page numbers accompanied by letters, hyphens, periods, or parentheses (e.g., 1., 1-2, -1-, (1), or 1a).
• Center all page numbers at the bottom of the page, 1/2″ from the bottom edge.
• Pages must not contain running headers or footers, aside from page numbers.
• If your document contains landscape pages (pages in which the top of the page is the long side of a sheet of paper), make sure that your page numbers still appear in the same position and direction as they do on pages with standard portrait orientation for consistency. This likely means the page number will be centered on the short side of the paper and the number will be sideways relative to the landscape page text. See these additional instructions for assistance with pagination on landscape pages in Microsoft Word .

Format footnotes for your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Footnotes must be placed at the bottom of the page separated from the text by a solid line one to two inches long.
• Begin at the left page margin, directly below the solid line.
• Single-space footnotes that are more than one line long.
• Include one double-spaced line between each note.
• Most software packages automatically space footnotes at the bottom of the page depending on their length. It is acceptable if the note breaks within a sentence and carries the remainder into the footnote area of the next page. Do not indicate the continuation of a footnote.
• Number all footnotes with Arabic numerals. You may number notes consecutively within each chapter starting over with number 1 for the first note in each chapter, or you may number notes consecutively throughout the entire document.
• Footnote numbers must precede the note and be placed slightly above the line (superscripted). Leave no space between the number and the note.
• While footnotes should be located at the bottom of the page, do not place footnotes in a running page footer, as they must remain within the page margins.

Endnotes are an acceptable alternative to footnotes. Format endnotes for your thesis or dissertation following these guidelines:

• Always begin endnotes on a separate page either immediately following the end of each chapter, or at the end of your entire document. If you place all endnotes at the end of the entire document, they must appear after the appendices and before the references.
• Include the heading “ENDNOTES” in all capital letters, and center it 1″ below the top of the first page of your endnotes section(s).
• Single-space endnotes that are more than one line long.
• Number all endnotes with Arabic numerals. You may number notes consecutively within each chapter starting over with number 1 for the first note in each chapter, or you may number notes consecutively throughout the entire document.
• Endnote numbers must precede the note and be placed slightly above the line (superscripted). Leave no space between the number and the note.

Tables, figures, and illustrations vary widely by discipline. Therefore, formatting of these components is largely at the discretion of the author.

For example, headings and captions may appear above or below each of these components.

These components may each be placed within the main text of the document or grouped together in a separate section.

Space permitting, headings and captions for the associated table, figure, or illustration must be on the same page.

The use of color is permitted as long as it is consistently applied as part of the finished component (e.g., a color-coded pie chart) and not extraneous or unprofessional (e.g., highlighting intended solely to draw a reader's attention to a key phrase). The use of color should be reserved primarily for tables, figures, illustrations, and active website or document links throughout your thesis or dissertation.

The format you choose for these components must be consistent throughout the thesis or dissertation.

Ensure each component complies with margin and pagination requirements.

Refer to the List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations section for additional information.

If your thesis or dissertation has appendices, they must be prepared following these guidelines:

• Appendices must appear at the end of the document (before references) and not the chapter to which they pertain.
• When there is more than one appendix, assign each appendix a number or a letter heading (e.g., “APPENDIX 1” or “APPENDIX A”) and a descriptive title. You may number consecutively throughout the entire work (e.g., 1, 2 or A, B), or you may assign a two-part Arabic numeral with the first number designating the chapter in which it appears, separated by a period, followed by a second number or letter to indicate its consecutive placement (e.g., “APPENDIX 3.2” is the second appendix referred to in Chapter Three).
• Include the chosen headings in all capital letters, and center them 1″ below the top of the page.
• All appendix headings and titles must be included in the table of contents.
• Page numbering must continue throughout your appendix or appendices. Ensure each appendix complies with margin and pagination requirements.

You are required to list all the references you consulted. For specific details on formatting your references, consult and follow a style manual or professional journal that is used for formatting publications and citations in your discipline.

Your reference pages must be prepared following these guidelines:

• If you place references after each chapter, the references for the last chapter must be placed immediately following the chapter and before the appendices.
• If you place all references at the end of the thesis or dissertation, they must appear after the appendices as the final component in the document.
• Select an appropriate heading for this section based on the style manual you are using (e.g., “REFERENCES”, “BIBLIOGRAPHY”, or “WORKS CITED”).
• Include the chosen heading in all capital letters, and center it 1″ below the top of the page.
• References must be single-spaced within each entry.
• Include one double-spaced line between each reference.
• Page numbering must continue throughout your references section. Ensure references comply with margin and pagination requirements.

In some cases, students gain approval from their academic program to include in their thesis or dissertation previously published (or submitted, in press, or under review) journal articles or similar materials that they have authored. For more information about including previously published works in your thesis or dissertation, see the section on Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials and the section on Copyrighting.

If your academic program has approved inclusion of such materials, please note that these materials must match the formatting guidelines set forth in this Guide regardless of how the material was formatted for publication.

Some specific formatting guidelines to consider include:

• Fonts, margins, chapter headings, citations, and references must all match the formatting and placement used within the rest of the thesis or dissertation.
• If appropriate, published articles can be included as separate individual chapters within the thesis or dissertation.
• A separate abstract to each chapter should not be included.
• The citation for previously published work must be included as the first footnote (or endnote) on the first page of the chapter.
• Do not include typesetting notations often used when submitting manuscripts to a publisher (i.e., insert table x here).
• The date on the title page should be the year in which your committee approves the thesis or dissertation, regardless of the date of completion or publication of individual chapters.
• If you would like to include additional details about the previously published work, this information can be included in the preface for the thesis or dissertation.

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😕 What is an MLA Citation Generator?

An MLA citation generator is a software tool designed to automatically create academic citations in the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation format. The generator will take information such as document titles, author, and URLs as in input, and output fully formatted citations that can be inserted into the Works Cited page of an MLA-compliant academic paper.

The citations on a Works Cited page show the external sources that were used to write the main body of the academic paper, either directly as references and quotes, or indirectly as ideas.

👩‍🎓 Who uses an MLA Citation Generator?

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It is also important at this level to learn why it's critical to cite sources, not just how to cite them.

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Writing citations manually is time consuming and error prone. Automating this process with a citation generator is easy, straightforward, and gives accurate results. It's also easier to keep citations organized and in the correct order.

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⚙️ How do I use MyBib's MLA Citation Generator?

It's super easy to create MLA style citations with our MLA Citation Generator. Scroll back up to the generator at the top of the page and select the type of source you're citing. Books, journal articles, and webpages are all examples of the types of sources our generator can cite automatically. Then either search for the source, or enter the details manually in the citation form.

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MyBib supports the following for MLA style:

Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

MLA Style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in writing. MLA Style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. 

Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material produced by other writers. 

If you are asked to use MLA format, be sure to consult the  MLA Handbook  (9th edition). Publishing scholars and graduate students should also consult the  MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing  (3rd edition). The  MLA Handbook  is available in most writing centers and reference libraries. It is also widely available in bookstores, libraries, and at the MLA web site. See the Additional Resources section of this page for a list of helpful books and sites about using MLA Style.

Paper Format

The preparation of papers and manuscripts in MLA Style is covered in part four of the  MLA Style Manual . Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in  MLA Style :

General Guidelines

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Double-space the text of your paper and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are each distinct from one another. The font size should be 12 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise prompted by your instructor).
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the “Tab” key as opposed to pushing the space bar five times.
• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
• Use italics throughout your essay to indicate the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, provide emphasis.
• If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested or the paper is assigned as a group project. In the case of a group project, list all names of the contributors, giving each name its own line in the header, followed by the remaining MLA header requirements as described below. Format the remainder of the page as requested by the instructor.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text. For example:  Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas  as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number. Number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit the last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)

Here is a sample of the first page of a paper in MLA style:

The First Page of an MLA Paper

Section Headings

Writers sometimes use section headings to improve a document’s readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay.

MLA recommends that when dividing an essay into sections you number those sections with an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section name.

MLA does not have a prescribed system of headings for books (for more information on headings, please see page 146 in the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing , 3rd edition). If you are only using one level of headings, meaning that all of the sections are distinct and parallel and have no additional sections that fit within them, MLA recommends that these sections resemble one another grammatically. For instance, if your headings are typically short phrases, make all of the headings short phrases (and not, for example, full sentences). Otherwise, the formatting is up to you. It should, however, be consistent throughout the document.

If you employ multiple levels of headings (some of your sections have sections within sections), you may want to provide a key of your chosen level headings and their formatting to your instructor or editor.

Sample Section Headings

The following sample headings are meant to be used only as a reference. You may employ whatever system of formatting that works best for you so long as it remains consistent throughout the document.

Formatted, unnumbered:

Level 1 Heading: bold, flush left

Level 2 Heading: italics, flush left

Level 3 Heading: centered, bold

Level 4 Heading: centered, italics

Level 5 Heading: underlined, flush left