In order of preference, MLA recommends the use of a DOI, then a permalink, and lastly the URL.
DOIs should include: https://doi.org/ in front of the DOI.
Permalinks are more stable URLs, often provided in the SPC databases.
URLs should not include the protocol http:// or https://.
Long URLs, generally more than three lines, should be truncated. See the MLA style website for further details:
style.mla.org/urls-some-practical-advice/.
Works Cited
Author's Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Newspaper/Magazine
Title, vol. #, no. #, Publication Date, Page(s). Database, DOI or
permalink or URL.
Works Cited
Itzkoff, Dave, comp. "A Plagiarism Complaint." The New York Times,
24 June 2009, C2. Academic OneFile, db20.linccweb.org/
login?url=http://go.galegroup.com.db20.linccweb.org/
ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA202278074&v=2.1&u=lincclin_phcc&
it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=8b1283f4da2e671d0f229480
a4235a63.
Schwarzbaum, Lisa. "When Stars Write Novels." Entertainment
Weekly, no. 1053/1054, 26 June-3 July 2009, pp.115-16.
Academic Search Complete, eds.b.ebscohost.com.db20.
linccweb.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid =3&sid=31f9c4d5-8c2b-
4239-a3d2-357d5ccdfa0c%40sessionmgr104&hid=117
&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#
AN=42531099&db=a9h.
According to Schwarzbaum, "A direct quote from the
article" (115). In addition, Itzkoff states, "A direct quote from this
article; however, only include the page number if the electronic article
has the publication page numbers."
or
A paraphrased sentence will have the author's name and the
page number, if available, at the end (Schwarzbaum 115). When
paraphrasing an author, the in-text citation includes the author's last
name and the page number of source information when
available (Itzkoff 115).