In the realm of academic writing, proper citation is essential for acknowledging sources and maintaining integrity in scholarly work. The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities, including literature, language studies, and related disciplines. This guide will walk you through the process of how to write an mla citation for a book creating MLA citations for both traditional books and online books, providing a clear understanding of the citation formula.

 MLA Citation for a Book:

The basic MLA citation format for a traditional book includes the following elements:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name.
- Start with the author's last name, followed by a comma and then their first name or initial. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order mla citation for online book they appear on the title page.

2. Title of the Book.
- Italicize the title and capitalize major words. If the book has a subtitle, include it after a colon, with the first word capitalized.

3. Publisher,
- Provide the name of the publisher, followed by a comma.

4. Publication Date.
- List the publication year, followed by a period.

5. Format (Print).
- Indicate that the source is in print by adding "Print" at the end, followed by a period.

Here's an example:

Smith, John. *The Art of Writing: A Comprehensive Guide.* Random House, 2020. Print.

 MLA Citation for an Online Book:

With the rise of digital resources, citing online books requires additional information to guide readers to the source. The citation for mla citation formula an online book includes the following:

1. Author's Last Name, First Name.

2. Title of the Book.

3. Publisher,
- If available, include the name of the online platform or database in italics, followed by a comma.

4. Publication Date.

5. URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
- For online sources, include either the full URL or the DOI. If the source lacks a publication date, use the access date.

Here's an example:

 Smith, John. *The Art of Writing: A Comprehensive Guide.* Random House, 2020. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/artofwriting.

 MLA Citation Formula:

To summarize, the MLA citation formula for both print and online books follows this structure:

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Publication Date. Format (Print or Online).

Ensure consistency in formatting and punctuation throughout your citations. If the book is online, provide the relevant digital location information, such as the URL or DOI.

Remember, accurate citations not only give credit to the original authors but also enhance the credibility of your academic work. Utilize these guidelines to master MLA citations for books, both in print and online, and elevate the quality of your research papers and essays.