Gavin Howe
Citing a law review article in MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. Law reviews, which are scholarly journals focusing on legal issues, are valuable sources for academic and legal research. To properly cite a law review in MLA, you must include essential elements such as the author’s name, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication year, and page range. Additionally, MLA style emphasizes clarity and consistency, ensuring that readers can easily locate the source. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of accurately citing a law review article, helping you maintain academic integrity and professionalism in your work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Last name, First name. |
| Article Title | Title of the article in sentence case and within quotation marks. |
| Journal Title | Title of the Law Review in italics and title case. |
| Volume Number | Volume number in bold or italics. |
| Issue Number | Issue number in parentheses, if applicable. |
| Year of Publication | Year in parentheses, followed by a period. |
| Page Numbers | Inclusive page numbers of the article. |
| Format | Print or Online (if accessed online). |
| DOI or URL | Include a DOI (preferred) or stable URL if available. |
| Access Date | For online sources without a DOI, include the access date in day-month-year format. |
| Example (Print) | Smith, John. "Legal Implications of AI." Harvard Law Review 120 (2023): 1234-1256. |
| Example (Online with DOI) | Doe, Jane. "Climate Change Litigation." Yale Law Journal 132 (2024): 789-812. doi:10.2307/xxxxxxx. |
| Example (Online without DOI) | Brown, Alice. "Privacy Rights in the Digital Age." Stanford Law Review 70 (2022): 456-489. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023. |
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What You'll Learn
MLA Format Basics for Law Reviews
When citing a law review article in MLA format, it's essential to follow the general guidelines for MLA citations while adapting them to the specific structure of legal publications. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, and while it may not be the primary citation style in legal fields, it can still be applied to law reviews with some adjustments. The key is to provide clear and accurate information about the source, ensuring that readers can easily locate the referenced material.
In MLA format, the basic structure for citing a law review article includes the author’s name, the title of the article, the title of the law review (in italics), the volume number, the issue number (if applicable), the publication year, and the page range. For example: *Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Law Review, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Year, pp. Page Range.* Note that MLA uses a simple alphabetical list of works cited, without the hierarchical numbering system sometimes found in legal citations. Punctuation such as periods and commas are used to separate elements, and the entire entry is double-spaced with a hanging indent.
If the law review article is accessed online, additional information is required. Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, or provide the URL of the article. The format for an online law review citation would be: *Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Law Review, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Year, pp. Page Range, DOI or URL.* Ensure the URL is stable and directly links to the article. If the URL is lengthy, consider using a URL shortener or simply providing the DOI, which is more stable and preferred in academic citations.
When the article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the source, separating each with a comma, and use an ampersand before the last author’s name. For example: *Last Name, First Name, et al. “Title of the Article.”* If the law review article is part of a larger database or collection, include the name of the database in italics after the citation, followed by the URL or DOI. For instance: *Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Law Review, vol. Volume Number, Year, pp. Page Range. Name of Database, URL.*
Finally, consistency is crucial in MLA formatting. Ensure that all citations follow the same structure and that the works cited list is alphabetized by the author’s last name (or title, if no author is listed). While MLA may not be the traditional style for legal citations, adhering to its principles ensures clarity and accessibility for readers in academic and interdisciplinary contexts. Always double-check the MLA Handbook or reputable online guides for updates or specific nuances in formatting.
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In-Text Citations for Legal Articles
When citing legal articles, such as law reviews, in MLA style, in-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the source of your information and directing readers to the corresponding entry in the Works Cited list. In-text citations for legal articles typically follow the author-page number format, but there are specific considerations to keep in mind due to the unique nature of legal writing. If the article has a single author, include the author's last name and the page number(s) of the referenced material in parentheses at the end of the relevant sentence. For example: (Smith 45). This format ensures clarity and precision, allowing readers to locate the exact source of the information.
In cases where the legal article has two authors, include both last names connected by the word "and" in the in-text citation, followed by the page number(s). For instance: (Smith and Johnson 78). If the article has three or more authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." and the page number(s): (Smith et al. 92). This approach simplifies citations for articles with multiple authors while maintaining the necessary information for proper attribution. It is essential to ensure that the in-text citation matches the first element of the corresponding Works Cited entry, which is typically the author's last name.
When the legal article does not list an individual author but is attributed to an organization or institution, use the shortened version of the organization's name in the in-text citation, followed by the page number(s). For example: (American Bar Association 23). If the organization's name is lengthy or complex, it is acceptable to use an abbreviated form, provided it is clear and consistent with the Works Cited entry. For instance, "ABA" could be used for the American Bar Association if it is clearly identified in the Works Cited list.
In situations where the legal article is a court case or statute referenced within the law review, MLA style recommends citing it as a personal communication or using a signal phrase to introduce the source. However, if you are directly quoting or paraphrasing the law review's analysis of the case or statute, follow the standard author-page number format. For example: (Brown 56). If the law review article itself is the primary focus, ensure that the in-text citation directs readers to the correct entry in the Works Cited list, which should include all necessary publication details.
Lastly, if you are referencing multiple works by the same author or organization in your in-text citations, include a shortened title to distinguish between them. For example: (Smith, "Legal Ethics" 45) or (American Bar Association, *Model Rules* 23). This practice prevents confusion and ensures that readers can easily identify the specific source being cited. Always remember that consistency between in-text citations and the Works Cited list is key to effective MLA citation, particularly when dealing with the nuanced requirements of legal articles.
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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 structured format that ensures clarity and consistency. The entry typically begins with the author’s name, if available, following the standard MLA format of listing the last name first, followed by a comma, and then the first name and a period. If the article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separating each with a comma, and use an ampersand before the last author’s name. If the article has no identifiable author, start the entry with the title of the article, enclosed in quotation marks.
The next element in the Works Cited entry is the title of the law review article, which should be enclosed in quotation marks and followed by a period. If the article is part of a larger publication, such as a law journal, include the title of the journal in italics, followed by a comma. After the journal title, provide the volume number in italics, a period, and then the issue number, if applicable, also in italics, followed by another period. This ensures that the reader can easily locate the source within the journal.
Following the title and journal information, include the publication date of the law review article. MLA style typically requires the full date, including the day, month, and year, if available. However, if only the year or month and year are provided, use that information. Place the date in parentheses, followed by a period. If the article is accessed online, include the date of access in the same format, preceded by the phrase "Date accessed" and a comma.
The publisher or sponsoring institution of the law review should also be included in the Works Cited entry. For print articles, this is typically the name of the law school or university associated with the journal. For online articles, include the name of the database or website where the article was accessed. This information is followed by a comma, and then the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the article, if available. If using a DOI, precede it with "doi:" and ensure it is a clickable link if the entry is in digital format.
Finally, conclude the Works Cited entry with a period, ensuring that all elements are properly punctuated and formatted. It is crucial to double-check the accuracy of the information, as errors in citations can lead to difficulties in locating the source. Adhering to this structured format not only ensures compliance with MLA guidelines but also enhances the credibility and professionalism of your academic work. Each component of the entry serves a specific purpose, contributing to a comprehensive and accessible citation.
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Handling Multiple Authors in Citations
When citing a law review article with multiple authors in MLA style, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure clarity and accuracy. For works with two authors, include both 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 directly quoting. 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 applicable), year, and page range. This format ensures that both authors receive proper credit and that the citation is easily traceable.
Handling citations for law review articles with three to five authors requires a slightly different approach. In the first in-text citation, include all authors’ names, separated by commas, and followed by the page number if applicable (e.g., (Doe, Smith, and Johnson 78)). For subsequent citations, use the first author’s last name followed by "et al." and the page number (e.g., (Doe et al. 78)). In the Works Cited list, include all authors’ names in the order they appear on the article. This method balances giving credit to all contributors while keeping citations concise and manageable.
When citing a law review article with six or more authors, MLA style simplifies the process to avoid lengthy citations. In both in-text citations and the Works Cited entry, use the first author’s last name followed by "et al." For example, an in-text citation would appear as (Doe et al. 92). In the Works Cited list, list the first author’s name, followed by "et al.," and then provide the article title, journal information, and publication details. This approach ensures consistency and readability, especially in documents with multiple citations.
It is crucial to maintain consistency in handling multiple authors across all citations in your work. Whether using "and" for two authors or "et al." for more than five, ensure that the format remains uniform throughout the document. Additionally, always double-check the authors’ names and their order as they appear in the original law review article to avoid errors. Properly handling multiple authors not only adheres to MLA guidelines but also demonstrates attention to detail and respect for the contributors’ work.
Finally, when dealing with law review articles that have organizational or institutional authors, treat the organization as a single author in the citation. For example, if the article is authored by the American Bar Association, the in-text citation would be (American Bar Association 23). In the Works Cited entry, list the organization’s name as it appears on the article, followed by the title and other publication details. This rule applies even if the organization’s name includes multiple words or is lengthy, ensuring that the citation remains clear and professional.
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Citing Online Law Review Articles
When citing online law review articles in MLA style, it is essential to provide accurate and detailed information to allow readers to locate the source easily. 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 source, separating each with a comma, and precede the last author’s name with "and." For example: "Smith, John, and Jane Doe." If the author is unknown, start the citation with the title of the article in quotation marks.
Next, include the title of the law review article in quotation marks, followed by a period. After the title, provide the name of the law review in italics, followed by a comma. Then, include the volume number of the law review in italics, followed by a comma and the issue number if available. For online articles, it is crucial to add the publication date in parentheses, followed by a period. For instance: *"The Evolution of Digital Privacy Laws."* *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 123, no. 4, (2022). If the article is part of a special issue, include this information after the issue number.
Following the publication details, incorporate the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL of the article to ensure accessibility. MLA prefers DOIs over URLs because they are more stable. If a DOI is available, format it as "doi:" followed by the number. If no DOI exists, use the URL of the article, prefaced by "https://" or "http://". For example: "doi:10.1086/712345" or "https://www.examplelawreview.com/article123". Ensure the link is complete and directs readers to the specific article.
Finally, conclude the citation with the date of access in day-month-year format, as online content can change over time. This is particularly important for legal sources, where updates and revisions are common. For example: "Accessed 15 Oct. 2023." The complete citation should be double-spaced and follow the standard MLA hanging indent format, where the first line of the citation is flush against the left margin, and all subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.
In summary, citing online law review articles in MLA requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting rules. Include the author’s name, article title, law review name, volume and issue numbers, publication date, DOI or URL, and access date. Each element must be punctuated and formatted correctly to ensure clarity and accuracy. By following these guidelines, you can create citations that are both reliable and compliant with MLA standards.
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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.” *Title of Law Review*, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number (if applicable), Year, pp. Page Range. Example: Smith, Jane. “Legal Implications of AI.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 134, no. 8, 2023, pp. 1500-1525.
No, MLA format does not require the inclusion of an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for law review citations. Focus on the author, title, publication details, and page range.
For an online law review article, add the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL at the end of the citation. Example: Smith, Jane. “Legal Implications of AI.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 134, no. 8, 2023, pp. 1500-1525, doi:10.1086/723456. If no DOI, use the URL: www.example.com/article.
No, MLA citations for law review articles typically do not include the editor or publisher. Focus on the author, article title, law review title, volume, issue, year, and page range.
The title of the law review should be italicized, and the volume and issue numbers should be in regular font. Example: *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 134, no. 8. Capitalize major words in the title and subtitle.
