Citing online sources in MLA format is essential to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Here is a mini lesson on how to cite online sources in MLA format:

1. Start with the author’s name. If available, include the author’s last name followed by a comma and then the first name. If the author’s name is not provided, skip this step.

2. Include the title of the article or webpage in quotation marks. If the source is a larger work, such as a book or a website, italicize the title instead.

3. Provide the title of the website or the name of the publisher, followed by a comma.

4. Include the publication date. If the date is not available, use “n.d.” to indicate “no date.”

5. Add the URL or the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the webpage. If the URL is too long, you can shorten it by removing unnecessary information.

6. Finish the citation with the date you accessed the source. This is important for online sources since they can change or be removed over time.

Here is an example of an MLA citation for an online article:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Website or Publisher, Publication Date, URL or DOI. Accessed Day Month Year.

For example:

Smith, John. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” National Geographic, 15 May 2022, www.nationalgeographic.com/climate-change-impact-biodiversity. Accessed 20 June 2022.

Remember to double-check the specific requirements of your assignment or institution, as there may be slight variations in formatting.