How to Properly Format an Author's Name on a Works Cited Page

The correct way to format an author's name on a Works Cited page is to list it as "Last name, First name" (e.g. King, Stephen). Degrees and titles like Dr., Sir, or Saint are usually not included in the citation unless they are essential for identifying the author.

When creating a Works Cited page, it's important to follow the proper formatting guidelines to ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. One key aspect of formatting citations is how to list the author's name.

Formatting the Author's Name

In order to properly format the author's name on a Works Cited page, it should be written as "Last name, First name." This means that you list the author's last name first, followed by a comma and then the first name. For example, if the author's name is Stephen King, it should be cited as King, Stephen.

Degrees such as PhD, MA, or DDS, as well as titles like Dr., Sir, or Saint, are typically not included in the citation unless they are crucial for identifying the author. In most cases, it is sufficient to list the author's name in the "Last name, First name" format without any additional titles or degrees.

Following these guidelines for formatting an author's name on a Works Cited page helps to ensure that your citations are clear, consistent, and in line with widely accepted citation styles such as MLA and APA.