How to cite a government report in MLA
Government reports are usually published by an organization that is also its author. In these cases, the name of the organization is included only as the publisher and the reference entry starts with the title. If you accessed the report online, click here for the citation format.
To cite a government report in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements:
- Author(s) name: If the report was published by an organization that is also its author, omit the author and start with the title.
- Title of the report: Titles are italicized when independent. If part of a larger source add quotation marks and do not italize.
- Report number: Give the report number if available.
- Publisher: If the name of an academic press contains the words University and Press, use UP e.g. Oxford UP instead of Oxford University Press. If the word "University" doesn't appear, spell out the Press e.g. MIT Press.
- Year of publication: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a government report in MLA style 9th edition:
. Title of the report. Report no. Report number, Publisher, Year of publication.
Take a look at our works cited examples that demonstrate the MLA style guidelines in action:
A government report with a publisher that is also its author
2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices . U.S. Department of State, 2017.
A report by a government agency
. Federal PKI Compliance Report. Report No. 13-19, U.S. Government Publishing Office, 2013.
This citation style guide is based on the MLA Handbook (9th edition).