What is a Container in MLA?
Understanding MLA's container concept for accurate citations
📦 Container Definition
In MLA style, a "container" is a larger work that holds the source you're citing. If your source is part of something bigger, that bigger thing is the container.
Think of it literally: A magazine article is "contained" in a magazine. A song is "contained" on an album. A chapter is "contained" in a book.
🎯 The Container Concept
Source → Container → Larger Container
📚 Common Types of Containers
Print Containers
- • Journals - contain articles
- • Magazines - contain articles
- • Newspapers - contain articles
- • Anthologies - contain essays/stories
- • Edited books - contain chapters
Digital Containers
- • Websites - contain web pages
- • Databases - contain articles
- • Streaming services - contain media
- • Social media platforms - contain posts
- • Apps - contain content
Media Containers
- • TV series - contain episodes
- • Podcasts - contain episodes
- • Albums - contain songs
- • Film series - contain individual films
Academic Containers
- • Scholarly journals - contain research articles
- • Conference proceedings - contain papers
- • Dissertations - in database repositories
- • Library databases - contain various sources
🔍 How to Identify the Container
Ask Yourself:
"Is this source part of something larger?"
- • If YES → That larger thing is the container
- • If NO → No container needed (cite the source directly)
✅ HAS a Container
- • An article in The New York Times (newspaper is container)
- • A chapter in an edited book (book is container)
- • A video on YouTube (YouTube is container)
- • A post on Instagram (Instagram is container)
- • An article found through JSTOR (JSTOR is container)
❌ NO Container
- • A complete book (cite the book itself)
- • A standalone website (cite the website)
- • A complete film (cite the film)
- • A full album (cite the album)
- • An independent research report (cite the report)
📝 Container in MLA Citations
MLA Citation Formula with Container
The container is italicized and comes after the source title (which is in quotation marks).
Example 1: Article in a Magazine
- • Source title: "The Future of AI"
- • Container: Wired (the magazine)
Example 2: Article from a Database
- • Source title: "Climate Policy"
- • Container 1: Environmental Studies (the journal)
- • Container 2: JSTOR (the database)
Example 3: Song on Streaming Service
- • Source title: "Imagine" (the song)
- • Container 1: Imagine (the album)
- • Container 2: Spotify (streaming service)
Example 4: Website Article
- • Source title: "Tips for Better Writing"
- • Container: Writing Hub (the website)
📦📦 When Do You Need Multiple Containers?
Use Container 2 when you accessed the source through another larger platform.
Most commonly: articles from journals that you found in a database (like JSTOR, EBSCOhost, ProQuest).
✅ Need Container 2
- • Journal article found in JSTOR
- • Song on an album accessed via Spotify
- • TV episode from a series on Netflix
- • News article from database
- • Documentary on streaming platform
❌ Don't Need Container 2
- • Article directly from journal website
- • Article directly from magazine website
- • YouTube video (YouTube is Container 1)
- • Blog post on personal blog
- • Standalone book
⚡ Quick Reference Guide
| Source Type | Container | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Magazine article | Magazine name | Time, National Geographic |
| Journal article | Journal name | Nature, Science |
| Website article | Website name | CNN, BBC News |
| YouTube video | YouTube | YouTube |
| Netflix show | Series name, then Netflix | Stranger Things, Netflix |
| Database article | Journal, then database | Nature, JSTOR |
| Book chapter | Book title | The Norton Anthology |
| Podcast episode | Podcast name | This American Life |
⚠️ Common Container Mistakes
❌ Mistake: Putting Container in Quotes
Wrong: "The Future of AI." "Wired", 2024.
Right: "The Future of AI." Wired, 2024.
❌ Mistake: Using "In" Before Container
Wrong: "Article Title." In Magazine Name.
Right: "Article Title." Magazine Name.
❌ Mistake: Forgetting to Italicize Container
Wrong: "Article Title." The New York Times.
Right: "Article Title." The New York Times.
✨ CiteForge Identifies Containers Automatically
Stop worrying about whether something is a container! CiteForge's smart citation generator automatically identifies containers and formats them correctly in MLA style.
Generate MLA Citations Now →Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about MLA containers. Always verify citations against the official MLA Handbook (9th edition) and follow your instructor's specific requirements. Citations provided as-is.