Final answer:
In MLA format, the first thing to list in a citation is the 1) author's name, formatted as the last name followed by the first name. If there is no author, the title of the source is used alphabetically.
Step-by-step explanation:
When writing a citation in MLA format, the first thing to put down is the author's name. It is important to record the following elements for your sources to create an accurate work cited entry: author’s name, title of source, title of container, publisher, publication date, location (such as the DOI, web address, or page numbers for print sources), and any other pertinent details (such as volume and issue numbers for scholarly journal articles).
If the author's full name is available, it should be listed as a last name, a comma, and then the first name. If a source does not have a named author, the title of the source should be used in alphabetical order within the works cited list. The core elements of MLA citations should be organized in a specific order and formatted properly, including consistent double-spacing and indentation.
In the case of certain books, particularly those published before 1900, additional details such as the city of publication might be included. For online sources, including the access date can be helpful to indicate the version of the source you consulted, though it is not always mandatory.