MLA Citation for Wikipedia

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Click Here to go the the updated Wikipedia Citation Entry

The following is no longer accurate. I’ll be updating this page with the latest MLA Handbook, 7th Edition, recommendations soon . . . and then deleting this page.

Note: I’ve taken this information from a Wikipedia page about proper citation.

Citation in MLA style, as recommended by the Modern Language Association:

  • “Plagiarism.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 22 July 2004, 10:55 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 10 Aug. 2004. <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plagiarism&oldid=5139350>.

Note that MLA style calls for both the date of publication (or its latest update) and the date on which the information was retrieved. According to the most recent edition of the MLA Handbook, there is now information required about any foundation involved. Also note that many schools/institutions slightly change the syntax. Another example:

  • “Plagiarism.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 22 July 2004 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plagiarism&oldid=5139350>.

Be sure to double check the exact syntax your institution requires.

For citation of Wikipedia as a site, use:


By Tom Fasano on March 25, 2008 – 8:14 pm
Posted in MLA | 1 Comment »


One Response to “MLA Citation for Wikipedia”

  1. By John on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply

    You might find this article interesting. I am sure it made your newspapers, but in case it didn’t…..

    http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/World/2008/03/31/5150081-sun.html

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