How to Cite Websites Without an Author: A Guide for Academic Writing

In the realm of academic writing, citations are crucial. They ensure authenticity and traceability of the sources one uses. However, what if the website you are citing does not list an author? This situation can be particularly perplexing, especially when following guidelines such as the Modern Language Association (MLA). This guide will help you navigate the citation process for such scenarios.

The Importance of Citing Websites

Why bother citing a website?

For accountability: Citing a source helps readers verify the information you've presented.

To respect the original content: Attribution shows that you value the work and gives credit where it's due.

For academic integrity: Citing sources is essential for maintaining academic honesty.

To enhance your credibility: Proper citation demonstrates your thorough research and thorough understanding of the subject.

Citing Websites Without an Author

When a website does not list an author, you can still properly cite it. Here’s how to do it:

Format for Works Cited without an Author

If there is no named author, the first element of the Works Cited entry should be the title of the article, followed by the date. The title should be in sentence case, except for the first word and proper nouns.

“Incidence of Soybean Cultivation Between the World Wars.” 1999.

For more complete information on citing, refer to the MLA guidelines.

Example of a Wikipedia Entry

When citing an article from Wikipedia, it follows a specific format. The title would be the first three words:

"The Assassination of John F. Kennedy." Wikipedia. The Wikimedia Foundation, 24 January 2021.

In-text citation would use:

"The Assassination of John F. Kennedy."

Citing a Website with a Corporate Author

Even if a website does not have a named author, it might be authored by a group of anonymous writers, commonly referred to as the "corporate author."

For instance, if a site has a unique or distinct name, you can cite it as:

"Singularity of Solar Panel Efficiency." Renewable Materials 101. Solar Power Innovations, 2018.

Citing a Generic Page Title

For websites with single-page titles, such as "The Dating Life of Bats," you would cite the first significant word in the title. If a website has paragraph numbers, you can include them:

"Dating" par. 3.

If the website has multiple pages without distinct titles, you would cite the first significant word from the general name of the web collection:

"Dating" par. 3.

Best Practices for Academic Research

Avoid relying solely on anonymous sources. Peer-reviewed articles from scholarly journals should form the backbone of your research:

Use rigorous sources: Books, eBooks, and journal articles from your school's subscriptions.

Consult a librarian: Librarians can guide you in effectively using the school's database resources.

Practice critical thinking: Evaluate the information critically and ensure its reliability.

If a majority of your sources are anonymous web pages, it might be an indication that you need to expand your research scope and explore more credible resources. Your teacher likely expects a mix of diverse and reputable sources for robust academic research.

Conclusion

Proper citation is a fundamental aspect of academic writing. Even when dealing with websites without an author, following MLA guidelines can ensure your work is both academic and ethical. Remember, the goal is to build a strong foundation of credible and rigorous research.