Imagine you’re telling your buddy Mike about a hilarious meme. You don’t say, “Mike said this.” You say, “That cat video from Reddit is gold.” Same logic applies here. When a website hides its author—like a turtle pulling into its shell—you just use the title of the article or the website name instead.
Don’t panic and start hyperventilating into your coffee mug. This is not a crisis. It’s just MLA being flexible, like yoga pants for academic writing.
The Shortcut: Use the First Part of the Works Cited Entry
Your Works Cited page is your cheat sheet. If your entry starts with a title—say, “10 Ways to Befriend a Squirrel”—then that’s your stand-in. In your sentence, you write: One article explains that squirrels enjoy unsalted peanuts (“10 Ways”). See? No author, no sweat.
It feels a little weird, like ordering pizza without saying your name. But the reader knows exactly where you got the info. It’s like pointing at a building and saying, “That place has great tacos.” You don’t need to name the chef.
What If the Title Is Super Long?
Let’s be real. Some website titles are longer than a CVS receipt. MLA says you can shorten it to a few key words. For example, “The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Awkward Elevator Silences” becomes “Ultimate Guide.” Just make sure it’s still recognizable, like your favorite pair of jeans after a few washes.
Don’t get creative and call it “Elevator Awkwardness.” Stick to the original vibe. Think of it as a nickname, not a complete rebranding.
