How to List MLA Citations in Alphabetical Order

When compiling a list of references or works cited in MLA (Modern Language Association) format, it’s crucial to arrange them in alphabetical order. This ensures that your readers can easily locate and verify the sources you’ve used. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to list MLA citations in alphabetical order in Google Docs and also share how Docswrite.com can streamline this process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Listing MLA Citations in Alphabetical Order

1. Open Your Google Docs Document Start by opening your Google Docs document where you have already added your citations. If you haven’t added them yet, do so by following the MLA citation style guidelines.
   
2. Select Your Citation List Click and drag your cursor to highlight all the citations you wish to organize. This will allow you to manipulate the entire list for easier ordering.
   
3. Sort Your Citations Alphabetically
   
   1. After selecting your list, go to the top menu in Google Docs and click on “Tools” .
      
   2. From the dropdown, choose “Sort range” . This will open a new dialog box.
      
   3. In the dialog box, ensure that “Data has header row” is unchecked, unless your citations include headers.
      
   4. Now, choose the sorting order. Select “A-Z” to arrange your citations in ascending alphabetical order.
      
4. Check for Proper Alphabetization The most common rule for MLA citations is to list sources alphabetically by the first element of the citation, typically the author’s last name. In cases where no author is available, you’ll sort the source by the title (ignoring articles like “The” or “A”).
   
5. Adjust Special Formatting as Needed After sorting, double-check your citations for any formatting issues. Ensure that indentation, punctuation, and spacing adhere to MLA formatting standards.
   
6. Use Docswrite.com for Additional Help If you’re looking for a tool to help with citation management, Docswrite.com is a valuable resource. It provides tools for generating and organizing citations correctly, ensuring your MLA list is formatted flawlessly.
   

FAQs About MLA Citation Alphabetization

Q1: What if two citations have the same author?

1. When two or more citations share the same author, you’ll alphabetize them by the title of the work, ignoring “The” or “A” at the beginning. If the title begins with the same word, continue using the full title for further sorting.
   

Q2: How do I handle citations with no author?

1. For sources without an author, you should start by alphabetizing based on the title of the work. Make sure to treat articles like “The,” “A,” or “An” as though they do not exist when sorting.
   

Q3: What if I have multiple works by the same author?

1. If multiple works by the same author are cited, list them alphabetically by title, but use three hyphens (---) in place of the author's name after the first citation.
   

Q4: Can Docswrite.com help me with citations?

1. Yes! Docswrite.com simplifies the process of creating and organizing citations in MLA, APA, and other formats. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to streamline their citation process and ensure accuracy.