Keith Mack
Citing law review articles in MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. Law review articles are scholarly works published in legal journals, often authored by legal experts, and they play a crucial role in legal research and academic writing. When citing these articles, it is essential to include key elements such as the author's name, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication date, and page range. Additionally, MLA style emphasizes clarity and consistency, ensuring that readers can easily locate the source. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also enhances the credibility of your work by demonstrating thorough research. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of correctly citing law review articles in MLA format, ensuring your citations are accurate and compliant with academic standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Last name, First name. |
| Title of Article | Title in sentence case and enclosed in quotation marks. |
| Title of Journal | Title of Law Review in italics and title case. |
| Volume Number | Volume number in italics. |
| Issue Number | Issue number in parentheses (if available). |
| Year of Publication | Year in parentheses. |
| Page Numbers | Inclusive page numbers (e.g., 123-45). |
| DOI or URL | Include a DOI (preferred) or stable URL if available. |
| Example | Smith, John. "The Impact of Legal Precedents." Harvard Law Review 123 (2023): 456-78. DOI:10.1086/example. |
| Notes | MLA does not require a specific format for law review articles beyond standard journal article guidelines. Always check the latest MLA Handbook (9th edition) for updates. |
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What You'll Learn
MLA Format Basics for Legal Citations
When citing law review articles 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 liberal arts, but it can also be adapted for legal citations. The primary goal is to provide clear and concise information that allows readers to locate the source easily. For law review articles, the citation typically includes the author's name, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication date, and page numbers.
In MLA format, the author's name is the first element of the citation, followed by the article title in quotation marks. The journal title is italicized and abbreviated according to standard legal abbreviations, if applicable. For example, "Harvard Law Review" can be abbreviated as "Harv. L. Rev." The volume number is italicized and followed by the issue number in parentheses, if available. The publication date is included in parentheses, followed by a colon and the page range. If the article is accessed online, the citation should also include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) at the end.
Here’s a basic template for citing a law review article in MLA format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." *Journal Title* vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number (Year): Page Range.
For example:
Smith, Jane. "The Evolution of Property Rights." *Yale L.J.* vol. 120, no. 7 (2011): 1523-1578.
If the article is accessed online, add the URL or DOI:
Smith, Jane. "The Evolution of Property Rights." *Yale L.J.* vol. 120, no. 7 (2011): 1523-1578. DOI:10.2307/41123456.
When dealing with multiple authors, MLA format requires listing all authors up to three, followed by "et al." for more than three. For instance:
Doe, John, and Jane Smith. "Legal Perspectives on Climate Change." *Stan. Envtl. L.J.* vol. 35, no. 2 (2020): 45-90.
If there is no author, start the citation with the article title, followed by the journal information.
Finally, ensure consistency and accuracy in your citations. MLA format emphasizes clarity and accessibility, so double-check abbreviations, volume numbers, and page ranges. While MLA is not the traditional style for legal citations (which often use Bluebook), it can be adapted effectively for law review articles by focusing on the core elements of authorship, title, publication details, and access information. Always consult the latest MLA guidelines or your instructor’s preferences for specific requirements.
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In-Text Citations for Law Review Articles
When citing law review articles in MLA style, in-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the source of information within the body of your work. MLA in-text citations are typically author-page number style, but since law review articles often lack page numbers in their online or digital formats, slight adjustments are necessary. The primary goal is to direct readers to the corresponding entry in the Works Cited list. Begin by including the author’s last name in the text, if known, or use a shortened version of the article title (excluding words like *a*, *an*, or *the*) in quotation marks. For example, if citing an article by Jane Doe, you would write, "Doe argues that..." If the author is unknown, use a shortened version of the title, such as, *"Legal Frameworks" argue that...*. This ensures clarity and consistency in your citations.
If the law review article includes page numbers, include them in the in-text citation, even in MLA style. For instance, if Jane Doe’s article has page numbers, the citation would appear as (Doe 25). However, many law review articles, especially those accessed online, do not have traditional page numbers. In such cases, omit the page number and simply use the author’s last name or the shortened title. For example, (Doe) or ("Legal Frameworks"). This approach aligns with MLA’s emphasis on simplicity and accessibility while maintaining proper attribution.
When a law review article has multiple authors, MLA guidelines dictate different formats depending on the number of authors. For two authors, include both last names in the citation, such as (Smith and Jones). For more than two authors, use the first author’s last name followed by *et al.*, for example, (Smith *et al.*). This ensures that all contributors are acknowledged while keeping the citation concise. If the article is authored by an organization or institution, use the shortened name of the organization in place of the author’s last name, such as (American Bar Association).
In cases where you are citing multiple works by the same author or organization, include a shortened title in the in-text citation to distinguish between the sources. For example, if Jane Doe has written two articles, you might write (Doe, *Constitutional Analysis* 45) and (Doe, *Statutory Interpretation* 78). This prevents confusion and helps readers locate the correct entry in the Works Cited list. The shortened title should be distinctive enough to differentiate it from other works by the same author.
Finally, if you are directly quoting a law review article, follow the same in-text citation rules but ensure the quoted material is enclosed in quotation marks. For example, "The legal system must adapt to technological advancements" (Doe 25). If the article lacks page numbers, omit them and use the author’s last name or shortened title, such as (Doe). Consistency in formatting and adherence to MLA guidelines will enhance the credibility and professionalism of your work while properly crediting the original authors of the law review 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 specific structure to ensure clarity and consistency. The entry begins with the author’s name, formatted as "Last Name, First Name." 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. For example: "Smith, John, & Jane Doe." If the article has no identifiable author, start the entry with the title of the article, written in sentence case.
Following the author’s name, include the title of the law review article in quotation marks, using title case capitalization. For instance: *"The Evolution of Constitutional Interpretation."* After the title, provide the title of the law review journal in italics, followed by the volume number in italics as well. If the journal includes issue numbers, include it in parentheses after the volume number. For example: *Yale Law Journal* *123* (4). Note that the volume and issue numbers should be separated by a space, not a comma.
Next, include the publication year of the law review article in parentheses, followed by a colon. After the colon, provide the page range of the article, using the abbreviation "p." for a single page or "pp." for multiple pages. For example: (2020): pp. 1234-1256. If the article is accessed online, add the words "Database Name" followed by a period, then include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, or a stable URL. If using a DOI, format it as "doi:" followed by the number. For example: *Yale Law Journal* *123* (4) (2020): pp. 1234-1256. Westlaw, doi:10.1086/712345.
If the law review article is part of a larger database or online repository, include the name of the database in italics after the page range, followed by a comma and the access date in day-month-year format. For example: *Harvard Law Review* *130* (2021): pp. 123-145. *HeinOnline*, 15 Sept. 2023. Ensure that all punctuation is used correctly, and there is consistency in formatting throughout the Works Cited entry.
Finally, double-check that the entry aligns with the latest MLA guidelines, as minor updates may occur periodically. The structure should be precise and adhere to the following order: author, article title, journal title, volume and issue numbers, publication year, page range, database or URL, and access date (if applicable). This structured approach ensures that the citation is both accurate and easily verifiable, meeting the academic standards required for MLA citations in legal and scholarly writing.
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Handling Multiple Authors in Citations
When citing law review articles in MLA style, handling multiple authors requires careful attention to ensure accuracy and consistency. According to MLA guidelines, the approach to citing multiple authors differs depending on the number of authors involved. For works with two authors, both names should be included 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), and the Works Cited entry would list both authors in the same order. This straightforward method ensures clarity and proper attribution.
For articles with three or more authors, MLA style recommends listing only the first author followed by "et al." (Latin for "and others"). This convention simplifies citations while still acknowledging all contributors. For instance, if an article is authored by Alice Brown, David Lee, and Emma Green, the in-text citation would be (Brown et al.), and the Works Cited entry would begin with Brown’s name, followed by a comma, "et al.," and the rest of the citation details. This approach is particularly useful for law review articles, which often involve collaborative research and multiple contributors.
In cases where the article has a large number of authors, the "et al." abbreviation remains the standard practice. However, it is crucial to ensure that the first author’s name is spelled correctly and that the citation accurately reflects the publication details. For law review articles, this includes the volume number, issue number (if applicable), and page range of the journal. Consistency in formatting and adherence to MLA rules are essential to maintain the professionalism and integrity of legal citations.
When citing multiple works by the same authors in the same year, MLA requires the use of lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.) after the year to distinguish between the citations. For example, if two articles by Jane Doe and John Smith were published in 2023, the in-text citations would be (Doe and Smith 2023a) and (Doe and Smith 2023b), with corresponding entries in the Works Cited list. This distinction ensures that readers can easily identify the specific work being referenced.
Finally, it is important to note that MLA style does not differentiate between authors and editors in the same way as some other citation styles. If the law review article includes both authors and editors, the citation should focus on the authors unless the editor’s role is significant to the context. In such cases, the editor’s name can be included in the Works Cited entry, but the primary focus remains on the authors. By following these guidelines, legal scholars and students can effectively handle multiple authors in MLA citations for law review articles, ensuring both precision and adherence to academic standards.
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Citing Online Law Review Articles MLA
When citing online law review articles in MLA format, it's essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Begin with the author's name, formatted as "Last Name, First Name." If the article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear, separating each with a comma, and use an ampersand before the last author's name. For example: "Smith, John, & Jane Doe." If there is no author, start the citation with the title of the article.
Next, include the title of the law review article in quotation marks, followed by a period. Immediately after the title, provide the name of the law review in italics, followed by a comma. Then, cite the volume number of the law review in italics, followed by a comma and the issue number if applicable. After the volume and issue numbers, include the publication year in parentheses, followed by a colon. For instance: *"Harvard Law Review*, *123*(4), (2022):". If the article is paginated, add the page range, but for online articles without page numbers, omit this detail.
For online law review articles, it is crucial to include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, as it provides a stable link to the article. If there is no DOI, use the URL of the article. MLA format prefers DOIs over URLs because they are more stable. The DOI should be formatted as "doi:" followed by the number, while the URL should be included as a direct link. For example: "doi:10.1234/hlr.12345" or "https://www.lawreview.com/article123".
The final element of the citation is the date of access, which is required for online sources to indicate when the article was retrieved. This should be formatted as "Accessed Day Month Year." For example: "Accessed 15 October 2023." Ensure that the entire citation is double-spaced and follows the standard MLA hanging indent format, where the first line 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 involves a structured approach: author(s), article title, law review name, volume and issue numbers, publication year, DOI or URL, and access date. Attention to detail in each component ensures that the citation is both accurate and compliant with MLA standards, facilitating proper attribution and accessibility for readers.
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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 Property Law.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 120, no. 3, 2017, pp. 567-590.
Yes, if the law review includes issue numbers, you should include them in the citation. Use the format "vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number" to ensure completeness.
For online law review articles, add the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL at the end of the citation. Example: Smith, Jane. “The Evolution of Property Law.” *Harvard Law Review*, vol. 120, no. 3, 2017, pp. 567-590, doi:10.1086/691234. If no DOI is available, include the URL in angle brackets.
Yes, the title of the law review should be italicized in the citation. For example: *Harvard Law Review*. The article title, however, should be placed in quotation marks.
