how to cite your own essay mla

how to cite your own essay mla

In MLA format, it’s crucial to acknowledge your own work properly, ensuring that readers understand the context of repetition and its significance within your academic discourse.

MLA Formatting for Self-Citation

When citing your own essay in an MLA format document, there are specific guidelines you must follow to ensure clarity and proper attribution. The MLA style guide emphasizes the importance of providing context for repeated material, especially when dealing with personal essays or papers.

1. Contextualizing Your Own Work

The first step is to contextualize your own essay. Explain why you are including this essay again in your current paper. For instance, if you have revised your essay, you might explain the changes made and the reasons behind revising it. If you are referencing an earlier version, provide a brief explanation of how it has evolved over time.

2. Using Parenthetical Citations

Parenthetical citations are essential for showing where information from your own essay was used. In MLA format, these should be placed at the end of the sentence where the information is cited, followed by a period. For example:

Original citation: (Your Name, Essay Title, paragraph number)

Example of parenthetical citation: (Smith, “Introduction,” 5)

If you’re referring to a specific point within the essay, include the page number:

Example of parenthetical citation with page number: (Smith, “Introduction,” 5)

3. Including the Essay Title in the Works Cited List

In the Works Cited list, the title of your essay should be italicized. For example:

Smith, Jane. My Personal Reflections. 2022.

4. Acknowledging Repetition

It’s important to acknowledge that you are repeating information from your own previous work. This can be done by stating something like:

Repeating your own essay:

Example: As discussed in My Personal Reflections, the theme of resilience is central to my argument.

5. Consistency and Clarity

Maintain consistency in your citations throughout your document. Ensure that each instance of self-citation is clear and unambiguous. For example:

Example of consistent citation: (Smith, “Introduction,” 5)

Example of inconsistent citation: (Smith, Introduction, p. 5)

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite your own essay in MLA format, maintaining clarity and integrity in your academic writing. Proper citation not only adheres to scholarly standards but also enhances the credibility of your work.

  1. How do I cite a previously published version of my own essay?

    • When citing a previously published version of your own essay, you would use the original publication details, such as the book title, editor, publisher, and date of publication.

  2. What if I need to cite the same piece multiple times in one essay?

    • If you need to cite the same piece multiple times in one essay, you can use parenthetical citations consistently, providing the necessary details each time, such as the author, title, and page number.

  3. Can I cite my own essay without using MLA format?

    • Yes, you can cite your own essay using other citation styles, such as APA or Chicago, depending on the requirements of your assignment or field of study.