MLA: Online Pictures
Citation Generators - A Warning!
There are several free online citation generators that will make your Works Cited or Reference pages for you. Beware that these do not always format your sources correctly (there is a reason they are free). If you choose to use one of these tools, use the tabs at the top of the screen to check that they are correct before submitting your assignment. You don't want to lose points on your assignment because the AI generators were wrong!
How to Cite Online Images in MLA
Works Cited
When you are citing images you found online, there are a few things you will need to know.
- Creator of image (if known)
- Title of image
- If you don't know the title, you will need to use a description of the picture
- Date the image was created, if known.
- If you don't know when it was created, you will use the date you accessed the site.
- Website name and link to the page where you found the picture. DO NOT USE GOOGLE IMAGES SEARCH RESULTS!
- If you use Google Image search, click on the photo to visit the site. This is the link you will need to use for your works cited. You also need to visit the site to make sure the image is actually there and to find the information for your citation.
Example when title, creator and date are known:
Creator name. "Title of Image." Website Name, Date image created, link to site where image was found (hyperlink removed).
Katt, Samson. "Cute Dog Wearing Glasses." Pexels, 22 Aug. 2020, https://www.pexels.com/photo/cute-dog-wearing-eyeglasses-5257587/.
Example when image details are not known:
Image description. Website Name, Date image created, link to site where image was found (hyperlink removed). Date accessed.
Coca-Cola Ad. WordStream, https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2019/08/13/persuasive-ads. Accessed 11 July 2024.
In-Text Citation
When a creator is known
(Katt)
When a creator is not known, use the title or description
(Coca-Cola Ad)
Finding Pictures Online
Many students will use pictures from the internet for their assignments and often those images come from a Google Image search.
What's the problem with using Google Image?
It can be difficult to know if the image you are using is in its original form or if it's been edited and/or copied from another site.
Here are some great sites for free images!
Ask the Library!
Contact the Library
Phone: 712-325-3478
Email: cyberlibrary@iwcc.edu
Ask a Librarian
Questions about formatting, citations, or finding sources?
Schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting with library staff by clicking the Schedule Appointment button.