Creating A Works Cited Entry For A Website A Comprehensive Guide

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Author: Dori Ulman Name of Website: Healthy Choices Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture Date of Web Publication: May 25, 2009

When compiling a research paper or any academic writing, it is crucial to properly cite your sources. A Works Cited page is an essential component of academic papers, providing a comprehensive list of all the sources you have referenced in your work. This page not only gives credit to the original authors and creators but also allows readers to verify the information and delve deeper into the topic. Creating accurate citations can seem daunting, especially with the variety of sources available today, such as websites, books, journal articles, and more. For this article, let's focus on creating a Works Cited entry for a website using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format, which is commonly used in the humanities. We'll walk through the specific elements needed for a website citation and how to format them correctly. Suppose you're a student compiling a Works Cited page and you have the following information for a website: Author: Dori Ulman; Name of Website: Healthy Choices; Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Date of Web Publication: May 25, 2009. With these details, we can construct a proper MLA citation, ensuring your academic work maintains credibility and adheres to scholarly standards. Understanding the nuances of creating a Works Cited entry for a website is a fundamental skill for students and researchers alike. It involves carefully organizing the available information and presenting it in a standardized format that is both clear and informative. This process not only demonstrates academic integrity but also enhances the overall quality of your research by enabling readers to trace your sources and build upon your work. In the following sections, we will explore the specific elements required for a website citation, the correct formatting, and additional information you might need to include for a complete and accurate entry.

Key Elements of a Website Citation

When citing a website in your Works Cited page, several key elements need to be included to ensure the citation is accurate and complete. These elements typically appear in a specific order and format, following the guidelines of the citation style you are using, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. For this article, we will focus on the MLA format, which is widely used in the humanities. Let's break down the main components you'll need for a website citation and how to gather this information effectively.

Author's Name

The author's name is usually the first element in a citation, if available. It gives credit to the person or people who created the content. The name should be written in the format of Last Name, First Name. For example, if the author's name is Dori Ulman, it should be written as Ulman, Dori. If there are multiple authors, the first author's name is written in the Last Name, First Name format, while the subsequent authors are written in the First Name Last Name format. If a website doesn't list a specific author, you might look for an editor or compiler. In some cases, the author might be an organization or institution, which we will discuss later.

Name of the Website

After the author's name, the name of the website should be included. This is the title of the overall website, not the title of a specific page or article within the site. The website name should be italicized to distinguish it from other elements in the citation. For example, if the website is called Healthy Choices, it should appear as Healthy Choices. The website name helps readers understand the broader source of the information and can be crucial for assessing the credibility and context of the content.

Name of the Organization or Institution

Sometimes, the website is published or sponsored by an organization or institution. This information is important to include, as it can provide additional context about the source and its potential biases. The organization's name should be listed after the website name. In the example given, the organization is the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If the organization's name is long, you can often use a shortened version or acronym, provided that it is clear and recognizable. For instance, U.S. Department of Agriculture can be abbreviated to USDA if it is commonly known by this acronym.

Date of Publication

The date of publication is a critical element for a website citation, as it helps readers understand the timeliness and relevance of the information. The date should be formatted in the order of Day Month Year, with the month abbreviated (e.g., May 25, 2009). If the specific day is not available, you can include just the month and year. If no date of publication is listed, you might look for a copyright date or a last updated date. If no date can be found, you can use the abbreviation n.d. (no date) in your citation.

URL

Finally, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the specific page you are citing should be included. This allows readers to directly access the source and verify the information. The URL should be presented in full and should be enclosed in angle brackets (e.g., https://www.example.com). Some citation styles, including the latest edition of MLA, recommend omitting the “https://” part of the URL. It’s also important to ensure that the URL is accurate and up-to-date, as websites can change over time.

Constructing the Works Cited Entry

Now that we have identified the key elements needed for a website citation, let's put them together to construct a complete Works Cited entry using the information provided: Author: Dori Ulman; Name of Website: Healthy Choices; Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Date of Web Publication: May 25, 2009. Following the MLA format, we will arrange these elements in the correct order and format them appropriately. This step-by-step guide will ensure that you create an accurate and professional citation.

Step 1: Author's Name

The first element is the author's name, written in the format of Last Name, First Name. In this case, the author is Dori Ulman, so we write it as:

Ulman, Dori.

Remember to always put the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. If there are multiple authors, only the first author's name is inverted, while the subsequent authors are listed in the normal First Name Last Name order.

Step 2: Name of the Website

Next, we include the name of the website, which is Healthy Choices. This should be italicized:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices.

Italicizing the website name helps distinguish it from the other elements in the citation, making it easier for readers to identify the source.

Step 3: Name of the Organization or Institution

The organization responsible for the website is the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This information follows the website name:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Including the organization's name provides additional context about the source and its potential credibility or biases.

Step 4: Date of Publication

The date of web publication is May 25, 2009. This should be formatted as follows:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 May 2009.

Notice that the month is abbreviated (May) and the day precedes the month. Including the date ensures that readers know how current the information is.

Step 5: URL

Finally, we need to include the URL of the specific page being cited. For the purpose of this example, let’s assume the URL is https://www.healthychoices.gov/article. The complete citation would then be:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 May 2009, https://www.healthychoices.gov/article.

In the latest MLA format, it is recommended to omit the “https://” part of the URL, so the citation could also be written as:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 May 2009, www.healthychoices.gov/article.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Creating accurate and effective Works Cited entries is a crucial skill in academic writing. While we've covered the basics of citing a website using the provided information, there are several additional tips and considerations that can help you refine your citations and ensure they meet the highest standards of academic integrity. These tips range from handling missing information to dealing with different types of sources and consistently applying citation styles.

Handling Missing Information

One common challenge in creating citations is dealing with missing information. Not all websites provide all the elements needed for a complete citation, such as the author's name, publication date, or organization. When information is missing, there are specific strategies you can use to create an accurate citation:

  • No Author: If no author is listed, start the citation with the name of the website or the title of the page or article. For example, if we didn’t have the author Dori Ulman, we would start with Healthy Choices.
  • No Date: If no publication date is provided, look for a copyright date or a last updated date. If no date can be found, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (no date) in place of the date.
  • No Organization: If the organization or institution is not clearly identified, try to find it in the “About Us” or “Contact” section of the website. If it is still not available, you can omit this element from the citation.
  • No URL: While a URL is crucial for a website citation, there might be cases where the URL is no longer valid due to website changes. If you cannot find the URL, it’s best to try to locate the information on an archived version of the site, such as through the Wayback Machine, or find an alternate source.

Citing Different Types of Web Content

Websites can contain various types of content, such as articles, blog posts, videos, and social media posts. Each type of content might require slight variations in the citation format. Here are a few examples:

  • Articles or Pages: For a specific article or page on a website, include the title of the page in quotation marks before the website name. For example: Ulman, Dori. “Article Title.” Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 May 2009, www.healthychoices.gov/article.
  • Blog Posts: For a blog post, include the title of the post in quotation marks. Also, specify the blog name if it is different from the website name. For example: Author’s Name. “Blog Post Title.” Blog Name, Date of Publication, URL.
  • Videos: For a video on a website, include the creator’s name (if available), the title of the video in quotation marks, and the website name. Also, include the date of posting and the URL. For example: Creator’s Name. “Video Title.” Website Name, Date of Publication, URL.
  • Social Media Posts: Citing social media posts involves including the author’s username, the content of the post (or a description), the platform name, the date, and the URL. For example: @username. “Text of the post.” Platform Name, Date, URL.

Consistency in Citation Style

Consistency is key when creating a Works Cited page. Once you choose a citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago), it is essential to apply it consistently throughout your paper. This includes formatting names, dates, titles, and other elements in the same way each time. Using a consistent style not only makes your paper look professional but also helps readers easily navigate your sources.

  • Use a Citation Management Tool: Consider using a citation management tool like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote. These tools can help you organize your sources, generate citations in various styles, and ensure consistency.
  • Refer to Style Guides: Keep a style guide (e.g., MLA Handbook, APA Publication Manual) handy and refer to it whenever you have questions about formatting or citation rules.
  • Check Examples: Look at examples of citations in your chosen style to understand how different types of sources should be cited. Many style guides provide examples for various sources, including websites, books, journal articles, and more.

Conclusion

Creating a Works Cited entry for a website involves careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the required elements and formatting guidelines. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can accurately cite online sources and ensure the credibility of your academic work. Remember, the key elements of a website citation include the author's name, the name of the website, the organization or institution, the date of publication, and the URL. Using these elements, you can construct a complete citation that provides readers with the information they need to verify your sources. We addressed the initial question: With the provided information—Author: Dori Ulman, Name of Website: Healthy Choices, Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Date of Web Publication: May 25, 2009—the complete MLA citation would be:

Ulman, Dori. Healthy Choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 25 May 2009, www.healthychoices.gov/article.

In addition to the basic elements, it’s important to handle missing information appropriately, adapt your citations for different types of web content, and maintain consistency in your chosen citation style. By following these tips and guidelines, you can create professional and accurate Works Cited pages that enhance the quality of your research and academic writing. Proper citation is not just a matter of following rules; it's an essential practice that demonstrates academic integrity and respect for the work of others. By mastering the art of citation, you contribute to the scholarly conversation and ensure that your work is both credible and well-researched.