When you need to reference Mary Shelley’s notable novel Frankenstein in your academic writing, using the correct MLA citation is crucial for both credibility and proper attribution. In real terms, the Modern Language Association’s eighth edition provides clear guidelines for formatting works‑cited entries and in‑text citations, ensuring that readers can easily locate the source. Which means this article walks you through every step of creating a flawless MLA citation for Frankenstein, covering basic format, variations for different editions, translations, and common pitfalls to avoid. By the end, you’ll feel confident applying MLA rules to Shelley’s classic work, whether you’re writing an essay, a research paper, or a literary analysis.
Basic MLA Citation Format for a Print Novel
The core elements for a book in MLA style are: author, title (in italics), publisher, year, and medium (if applicable). For a standard print edition of Frankenstein, the citation appears as follows:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Edited by Marilyn Butler, Oxford University Press, 2008.
Key points to remember
- Author: List the author’s last name followed by a comma and the first name.
- Title: Use italics for the book title. If the title contains a subtitle, separate the two parts with a semicolon and keep both in italics.
- Editor: If you’re citing an edited edition, include the editor’s name after the title, preceded by “Edited by.”
- Publisher: Include the publishing house.
- Publication year: The year of the edition you’re using.
- Medium: Not required for print works, but you may add “Print” if needed.
Works Cited Page Entry
Your Works Cited list should be alphabetized by the author’s last name. Shelley’s entry begins with “Shelley,” and the entire citation is double‑spaced with a hanging indent. Here’s a full example for a commonly used paperback edition:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Penguin Classics, 2003.
If you’re citing a scholarly edition with an editor, the format looks like this:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Edited by Anne K. Mellor, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Note the inclusion of the edition number after the editor’s name, followed by a comma and the publisher Simple, but easy to overlook..
In‑Text Citations
MLA uses parenthetical citations that correspond to entries in the Works Cited list. There are two main types: author‑page citations and signal phrase citations.
Author‑Page Citations
When you quote or paraphrase directly, include the author’s last name and the page number:
(Shelley 45)
If the citation appears at the end of a sentence, place the page number before the closing parenthesis:
The creature’s lament reflects Romantic ideals (Shelley 112).
Signal Phrase Citations
You can embed the author’s name in the sentence itself, followed by the page number in parentheses:
Mary Shelley argues that “the monster’s humanity is a product of nurture” (23).
If the author’s name is mentioned in the signal phrase, only the page number appears in the parentheses:
According to Shelley, “I ought to be thy Adam” (56).
Handling Multiple Editions and Translators
Different Editions
If you are citing a specific edition that differs from the standard one, include the edition number after the editor’s name:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Edited by Stuart Curran, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2010.
Translated Works
When you use a translation, add “Translated by” followed by the translator’s name:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Translated by Marilyn Butler, Penguin Classics, 2003.
If both an editor and a translator are listed, include both:
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Edited by Anne K. Mellor, Translated by A. N. Other, Routledge, 2012.
Citing Online Versions
While MLA primarily focuses on print sources, it also provides guidance for digital texts. Now, for an online version hosted on a stable URL (e. g It's one of those things that adds up. Still holds up..
Shelley, Mary. *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*. Edited by Marilyn Butler, Oxford University Press, 2008. Web. 12 December 2023. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL123456M/Frankenstein.
If the online text is continuously updated, you may omit the access date and simply provide the URL.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing italics – The title must be italicized, not quoted.
- Incorrect punctuation – Use a period after each element, and a colon before the publisher for print books.
- Confusing editor vs. author – If you’re citing an introduction or foreword, the editor’s name should appear in the author slot.
- Omitting the edition – When a specific edition is used, the edition number is essential for clarity.
- Improper in‑text citation – Always match the Works Cited entry; a mismatch can confuse readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to include the publication city?
A: No. MLA no longer requires the city of publication for books published after 2017. For older editions, you may include it, but it’s optional Simple, but easy to overlook..
Q: What if I’m citing a chapter from an anthology?
A: Treat the chapter as a short work. Include the chapter author, chapter title (in quotes), the book title (in italics), editor(s), publisher, year, and page range of the chapter.
Q: How should I cite Frankenstein in a works‑cited list when there are multiple translators?
A: List each translator separately, using “Translated by” for each, or combine them with a slash if they are co‑translators: Translated by Jane Doe and John Smith Less friction, more output..
Q: Is the subtitle included in the title?
A: Yes. The subtitle is part of the title and should be italicized along with the main title, separated by a semicolon Nothing fancy..
Q: Can I use “et al.” for Mary Shelley?
A: No. “et al.” is used only for works with three or more authors. Shelley is a single author, so only her name appears.
Conclusion
Mastering the MLA citation for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is more than a formatting exercise; it’s a demonstration of scholarly rigor and respect for the author’s contribution to literature. By following the structured steps outlined above—crafting accurate Works Cited entries, employing proper in‑text citations, and handling variations such as editions, translations, and online sources—you’ll check that your academic work meets the highest standards of citation integrity. Consistent application of these guidelines not only strengthens
Consistent use of these standards not only bolsters your credibility but also enables readers to locate the original source, thereby reinforcing the scholarly conversation. When you specify a particular edition, you acknowledge the textual variations that may shape interpretation, and when you credit a translator, you give due recognition to the linguistic mediation that influences the reading experience. Beyond that, adhering to MLA conventions for online materials—such as providing a stable URL and omitting unnecessary access dates—demonstrates awareness of contemporary publishing practices while preserving citation integrity.
In sum, mastering MLA citation for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein requires careful attention to author, title, edition, translator, publisher, and access details, as well as precise in‑text formatting. By applying these practices consistently, you uphold academic honesty, enable research reproducibility, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue that Frankenstein continues to inspire.
your credibility but also safeguards the intellectual lineage of the ideas you engage with. When you specify a particular edition, you acknowledge the textual variations—such as the differences between the 1818 and 1831 texts—that may shape critical interpretation. When you credit a translator or editor, you give due recognition to the scholarly mediation that influences the modern reading experience. On top of that, adhering to MLA conventions for digital sources—providing stable URLs or DOIs and omitting access dates unless required—demonstrates awareness of contemporary publishing practices while preserving the integrity of the scholarly record.
The bottom line: precise citation is an act of academic citizenship. Even so, it situates your argument within the ongoing, centuries-long conversation surrounding Frankenstein, allowing future readers to trace your steps, verify your claims, and build upon your insights. By mastering these details, you do more than follow a style guide; you honor the collaborative nature of knowledge and see to it that Mary Shelley’s seminal work continues to be discussed with the rigor and respect it deserves.
