Question by John J: How do you cite multiple words from one dictionary in a works cited?
I know for one word it would be like
“Government.” Websters Dictionary.(underlined) 2006
But what if I have multiple words from that dictionary
Best answer:
Answer by RetroRay
Alas, you would NOT cite the entry as you have done it. I have provided below the form designated by the Modern Language Association (MLA). In the examples used below, I have created the requisite information. You would use the actual information.
MLA IN-TEXT PARENTHETICAL CITATION FOR DICTIONARY:
In your parenthetical citation, put the word that has been defined; and if the word has more than one definition listed in the source, also include the number of the definition that you used. Although I am unable to format using Yahoo! Answers, your parenthetical citation would include (“Government” Def. 2a). No page number is required, since readers can easily look up the word defined in your works cited. You would use this format for EACH of the words the definition of which you quote from the dictionary source.
MLA WORKS CITED ENTRIES:
Assuming no author, EACH entry should be alphabetized in the list of works cited under the word the definition of which you used — NOT under the title of the reference work itself. Thus, the reader need only look for the word defined in your works cited to find the full citation. You should include not less than the following in your works cited entries: “Word defined.” Title of Reference Work (in italics). Edition of Reference work. Date of the edition. Medium.
Although the following is not formatted, it provides the minimum information needed in each of your your works cited dictionary entries:
“Government.” Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (in italics). 1988. Print.
Please see one or more of the following for formatted examples:
http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/mla/dictionary
http://www.learningtowrite.com/documents/ltwCEmlaParenthetical.pdf [See "How about an in-text citation for a definition form a dictionary?"]
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/MLA-1a.pdf [See "Dictionary or Encyclopedia Article, Unsigned".]
http://www.solano.edu/Library/PDF/MLA2009.pdf [See "Article in General Encyclopedia."]
http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_s1.html
Good luck!
What do you think? Answer below!
