Answered By: Jennifer HarrisLast Updated: Aug 19, 2022 Views: 298280 Show Generally speaking, if you cannot identify the author of a source, you move the title to the author position in the reference list/works cited and use a shortened version of the title for the in-text citation. If you cannot identify the publication date, you substitute n.d. for “no date.” Here are examples of how it works in the three major citation styles: APA StyleNo Author or DateIf a source is missing both the author or publication date, the citation will include the title, "n.d." for "no date," and the source. Make sure that there is no identifiable author. Sometimes the author is a company or other group rather than an individual. Reference PageGeneral Format Title of resource. (n.d.). Source. NOTE: The General Format doesn't include italics. This is because italic formatting of the title or source varies by resource type. In-Text CitationGeneral Format (Title, n.d.) Title (n.d.) For additional examples and tips on citing sources with no author or date in APA Style, check out the APA Style's page Missing Reference Information This link opens in a new window. For a complete walk-through of citing sources in APA, check out the APA 7th Edition This link opens in a new window playlist. MLA StyleNo Author or DateWorks Cited EntryIf there isn't an author, even an organizational/corporate entity, begin the citation with the title of the source. If there isn't a date, you just omit that information entirely. General Format Title. Publisher. "Article Title." Journal Title, vol. #, no. #. pp. #-#. DOI. Approximate or Uncertain DatesIf a source has an approximate date (e.g. circa 1500 or early 17th century), the MLA Handbook states that you should record the date as given. You will write out dates (e.g. 15th century becomes fifteenth century). See page 186 for more information. If a source has an uncertain date (e.g. possibly 1890 or 1765?) list the date followed by a question mark. See page 186 for more information. Works Cited Entry ExamplesChaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Circa 1400-10, British Library, London, Harley MS 7334. Dickinson, Emily. "Distance - is not the Realm of Fox." 1870?, Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City. Manuscript. For additional examples and tips on citing sources with no author or date in MLA Style, check out the Purdue OWL (Works Cited This link opens in a new window, Parenthetical Reference This link opens in a new window). Chicago StyleNo Author or DateIf the author or editor is unknown, the note or bibliography entry should normally begin with the title. An initial article is ignored in alphabetizing. When the publication date of a printed work cannot be ascertained, the abbreviation n.d. takes the place of the year in the publication details. A guessed-at date may either be substituted (in brackets) or added. The rest of the citation will follow the format of the source (book, journal, website, other medium). Bibliography EntryGeneral Format Title. Location: Publisher, n.d. "Title." Source vol#, issue no. (n.d.): page(s). Note EntryGeneral Format 2. Title (Location: Publisher, n.d.), page(s). 3. "Title," Source vol#, issue no. (n.d.): page(s). More information
Further HelpThis information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects. Campus StudentsTo access Academic Support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu. Online StudentsTo access help with citations and more, visit the Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:
ReferencesAmerican Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000 The Modern Language Association of America. (2016). MLA Handbook. Modern Language Association of America. University of Chicago. (2017). The Chicago Manual of Style. University of Chicago Press. About FAQsAbout FAQsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are a self-serve option for users to search and find answers to their questions. Use the search box above to type your question to search for an answer or browse existing FAQs by group, topic, etc. Tell Me More Link to Question FormRelated FAQsHow do you MLA cite an article with no author?If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title of the source you are citing instead. Do not use "Anonymous" as the author's name. Use the first one, two, or three main words from the title, in either italics or in "quotation marks" (the same way it is written in your Works Cited list).
How do you cite an online article with no author MLA?When no author is listed, you may omit the author information from the MLA citation for the website and begin, instead, with the title (Handbook 108). “Title of Web Page.” Title of Website, Publisher, date published in day month year format, URL.
How do you cite sources with no author?Unknown Author
If the work does not have an author, cite the source by its title in the signal phrase or use the first word or two in the parentheses. Titles of books and reports are italicized; titles of articles, chapters, and web pages are in quotation marks.
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