Usually, it’s with online articles, blog posts, or ebooks. Websites love to skip page numbers. So do streaming videos or podcasts. Even physical books with weird formats can leave you stranded.
But here’s the kicker: MLA doesn’t demand a page number if one simply doesn’t exist. The rule is simple—cite what you can find. Don’t invent one. Just don’t.
So, what do you put in the parentheses?
First, ask yourself: “Does the source have a clear section or chapter?” If yes, use that. Write the author’s last name, then a comma, then the section name in quotes. Like this: (Smith, “The Big Twist”).
No section names? No sweat. Try a paragraph number. Sometimes online texts are numbered. You’ll see “para. 14” or “par. 3” in the source code. Use that. Write (Jones, par. 6). Short and sweet.
What if there are zero numbers anywhere? Then you go rogue—but in a smart way. Use the author’s name only. That’s it. Just (Miller). Your reader already knows where to look from your Works Cited page.
