Kara Sears
Citing a law review article in MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. Law review articles, which are scholarly works published in legal journals, often contain valuable insights and analyses that researchers and students may wish to reference in their own writing. To properly cite such an article, one must include essential elements such as the author's name, article title, journal title, volume and issue numbers, publication date, and page range. Additionally, MLA style emphasizes clarity and consistency, ensuring that readers can easily locate the source. Understanding how to accurately cite a law review article not only upholds academic integrity but also enhances the credibility of one's work by acknowledging the contributions of legal scholars.
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What You'll Learn
MLA Format Basics for Legal Citations
When citing a law review article in MLA format, it's essential to understand the basic structure and components required. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, and while it is not the primary citation style for legal writing, it can be adapted for citing legal sources like law review articles. The key is to provide clear and accurate information that allows readers to locate the source easily. For a law review article, the citation typically includes the author's name, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication date, and page numbers.
The author's name should be listed in the standard MLA format: last name followed by a comma, then the first name and a period. For example, "Smith, John." If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separated by commas, and precede the last author's name with an ampersand. The title of the law review article should be placed in quotation marks, with only the first word and proper nouns capitalized. This is followed by the journal title, which is italicized and uses headline-style capitalization (major words capitalized). For instance, *"The Impact of Technology on Legal Practice"* in *Harvard Law Review*.
Next, include the volume number of the law review in italics, followed by the issue number in parentheses if the journal uses issue numbers. After the volume or issue number, provide the publication year in parentheses, followed by a colon and the page range of the article. For example, *123 Harv. L. Rev. 1501 (2020): 1501-1520*. If the law review is continuously paginated throughout the volume, omit the issue number. Ensure that the volume number and page numbers are clearly distinguished to avoid confusion.
In-text citations in MLA format for law review articles follow the author-page number system. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is included in parentheses at the end of the relevant text. For example, "Smith argues that technology has transformed legal research (1505)." If the author’s name is not mentioned, both the author’s last name and the page number are included in parentheses. For instance, "(Smith 1505)." When there are multiple works by the same author, include a shortened version of the title to distinguish between them.
Finally, for works accessed online, include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, or a stable URL. If using a DOI, format it as "doi:XXXX." If a DOI is not available, provide the URL of the journal’s homepage or the specific article page. For example, "https://harvardlawreview.org." Ensure that all elements are accurately formatted and that the citation is consistent with MLA guidelines. While MLA is not the traditional style for legal citations, these adaptations ensure that law review articles are cited clearly and effectively in MLA format.
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In-Text Citation Rules for Law Reviews
When citing a law review article in MLA style, the in-text citation rules are designed to be clear and concise, allowing readers to easily locate the corresponding entry in the Works Cited page. The primary rule for in-text citations in MLA is to use the author-page number format. For law review articles, this typically involves the author’s last name and the page number from which the information is derived. For example, if you are referencing a point made by Jane Doe in her law review article on page 45, the in-text citation would appear as (Doe 45). This format ensures that the citation is unobtrusive and does not disrupt the flow of the text.
If the law review article has two authors, include both last names in the in-text citation, connected by the word "and." For instance, if the article is co-authored by John Smith and Emily Johnson, the citation would be (Smith and Johnson 22). For articles with three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by "et al." and the page number, such as (Smith et al. 56). This abbreviation helps keep the citation brief while still providing sufficient information for the reader to identify the source.
In cases where the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence itself, only the page number needs to be included in parentheses at the end of the relevant phrase or clause. For example, "Doe argues that the statute is unconstitutional (45)." This approach eliminates redundancy and maintains the readability of the text. If the law review article does not have page numbers, as is sometimes the case with online publications, omit the page number from the in-text citation and simply use the author’s last name, e.g., (Doe).
When citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened version of the title in the in-text citation to distinguish between the sources. For example, if Jane Doe has written two law review articles, the citation might appear as (Doe, "Constitutional Analysis" 34) and (Doe, "Statutory Interpretation" 67). The titles should be in quotation marks and abbreviated enough to be clear but concise. This ensures that the reader can easily identify which work is being referenced.
Finally, if the law review article is part of a larger publication, such as a symposium or special issue, the in-text citation should still focus on the author and page number. However, if the context requires clarification, you can include additional information in the citation. For example, if the article is part of a symposium on environmental law, the citation might be (Doe, "Environmental Symposium" 45). Always ensure that the in-text citation corresponds accurately to the full citation in the Works Cited page, maintaining consistency and adherence to MLA guidelines.
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Works Cited Entry Structure
When creating a Works Cited entry for a law review article in MLA style, it is essential to follow a specific structure to ensure clarity and consistency. The entry should begin with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and the author’s first name, ending with a period. If the article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separating each with a comma, and precede the last author’s name with "and." For example: "Smith, John, and Jane Doe." This initial element establishes the authorship of the work and is crucial for proper attribution.
The next component of the Works Cited entry is the title of the law review article. The title should be enclosed in quotation marks and capitalized using title case, meaning the first word, the last word, and all principal words are capitalized. For instance: "The Evolution of Constitutional Interpretation." Following the title, include the name of the law review journal in italics, using title case as well. For example: *Harvard Law Review*. This element provides the specific publication where the article appeared, offering context and credibility to the citation.
After the journal title, include the volume number of the law review in italics, followed by a period. If the journal includes issue numbers, add the issue number in parentheses, without italics, followed by another period. For example: *123. (4).* Next, provide the publication year of the journal in parentheses, followed by a colon. For instance: (2022):. This temporal information helps readers locate the exact issue of the journal where the article was published.
The page range of the article is the next critical element. Indicate the starting and ending pages of the article, separated by a hyphen, and follow this with a period. For example: 567-590. If the article is accessed online, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or a stable URL at the end of the entry. If using a DOI, prefix it with "doi:" and ensure it is a clickable link if the citation is in digital format. For example: doi:10.1234/example. If using a URL, provide the full web address in angle brackets, such as
Finally, the entire Works Cited entry should be double-spaced and formatted with a hanging indent, where the first line is flush against the left margin and all subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches. This formatting enhances readability and adheres to MLA style guidelines. By meticulously following this structure—author, title, journal, volume, issue, year, page range, and DOI/URL—you create a precise and professional citation for a law review article in MLA format.
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Handling Multiple Authors in Citations
When citing a law review article in MLA style, handling multiple authors requires careful attention to ensure accuracy and adherence to formatting guidelines. For works with two authors, include both authors’ names in the citation, separated by "and." For example, if the article is written by Jane Doe and John Smith, the in-text citation would appear as (Doe and Smith 45), with the page number included if applicable. In the Works Cited entry, list the authors in the order they appear on the article, followed by the article title, journal name, volume, issue (if available), year, and page range.
For articles with three or more authors, MLA style recommends listing only the first author’s name followed by "et al." in both in-text citations and the Works Cited page. For instance, if the article is authored by Emily Johnson, Michael Brown, and Sarah Lee, the in-text citation would be (Johnson et al. 78). This abbreviation ensures brevity while still properly crediting all contributors. In the Works Cited entry, include all authors’ names in the order they appear on the article, but subsequent citations will use the "et al." format.
In cases where the article has no identifiable author, begin the citation with the title of the article in quotation marks. If the title is lengthy, shorten it to the first few words, followed by an ellipsis. For example, an in-text citation might appear as ("Legal Implications" 22), and the Works Cited entry would start with the article title, followed by the journal name, volume, issue, year, and page range. This approach ensures clarity even when author information is absent.
When citing multiple works by the same authors, include as many names as necessary to distinguish between the sources. If two articles have the same first author and the same publication year, use a lowercase letter after the year in both the in-text citation and the Works Cited entry to differentiate them. For example, the first citation would be (Smith, Doe, and Lee 2022a), and the second would be (Smith, Doe, and Lee 2022b). This method prevents confusion and maintains precision in referencing.
Finally, ensure consistency in handling multiple authors across all citations. Double-check that the names, order, and formatting align with MLA guidelines. For law review articles, accuracy in author attribution is particularly important, as it reflects the scholarly integrity of the work. By following these rules, you can effectively manage multiple authors in MLA citations, whether in legal writing or other academic contexts.
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Citing Online Law Review Articles MLA
When citing an online law review article in MLA format, it is essential to provide accurate and detailed information to allow readers to locate the source easily. The MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities and legal studies, and it requires specific elements for online sources. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your citation is correct and comprehensive.
Begin with the author’s name, following the MLA format of listing the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name, and then a period. If the article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separating each with a comma, and precede the last author’s name with "and." After the author’s name, include the title of the law review article in quotation marks, followed by a period. For example: "Smith, John. 'The Evolution of Property Rights.'"
Next, provide the title of the law review in italics, followed by the volume number, a comma, and the issue number (if available), all in parentheses. After the closing parenthesis, insert a comma. Then, include the year of publication, followed by a comma. For online articles, add the words "Web" to indicate the medium, followed by a period. For instance: *Harvard Law Review* (123), 2022, Web.
The final step is to include the date of access, as online sources can change or be removed. Write "Accessed" followed by the day, month, and year you accessed the article, all in the order of day-month-year. For example: Accessed 15 Oct. 2023. Ensure that the entire citation is double-spaced and aligned to the left margin, with a hanging indent for any lines after the first.
Additionally, if the law review article is part of a database, include the name of the database in italics after the publication information, followed by a comma and the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL. If a DOI is available, it is preferred over a URL as it provides a stable link. For example: *Harvard Law Review* (123), 2022, *HeinOnline*, doi:10.2307/j.ctv1234567. If using a URL, include it in angle brackets, like this:
By following these detailed steps, you can accurately cite online law review articles in MLA format, ensuring clarity and accessibility for your readers. Remember to double-check all elements, including author names, article and journal titles, publication dates, and access dates, to maintain the integrity of your citation.
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Frequently asked questions
To cite a law review article in MLA, use the following format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” *Name of Law Review*, vol. Volume Number, Issue Number (if available), Year, page range. Example: Smith, Jane. “The Evolution of Constitutional Law.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 120, no. 3, 2021, pp. 567-590.
Yes, if the law review includes issue numbers, you should include them in the citation. Use the abbreviation "no." followed by the issue number. Example: *Yale Law Journal*, vol. 130, no. 2, 2022.
If you accessed the article online, add the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL at the end of the citation. Example: Smith, Jane. “The Evolution of Constitutional Law.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 120, no. 3, 2021, pp. 567-590, doi:10.2307/xxxxxx.
List all authors in the order they appear on the article. Use “and” before the last author’s name. Example: Doe, John, and Jane Smith. “Legal Trends in the 21st Century.” *Stanford Law Review*, vol. 70, 2020, pp. 123-145.
Yes, the name of the law review should be italicized in MLA citations. Example: *Columbia Law Review*, vol. 115, no. 4, 2019, pp. 789-812.
