Citation Help

• a new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations
• clarification that element names are not always literal and can apply to a range of situations
• a new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language
• hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries listed by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more
• a new chapter on formatting a research paper
• updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism
• new, expanded guidelines on spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and more

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is one of several different formats dictating citation styling/formatting and is most commonly used to for writing within liberal arts and humanities. The primary source for MLA style is the MLA Handbook, shown to the left. The most current edition is the 9^th edition, which offers examples of citations and in-text citations, along with abbreviations and scholarly writing tips.

MLA Works Cited: A Quick Guide

MLA style (9th Ed) follows the three principles established in the 8th edition:

1. Cite core elements shared by most works.
2. There is often more than one correct way to cite a source.
3. Documentation needs to be useful to readers. 

Core Elements:

These are the Core Elements that should generally be included in the citation (if they exist) to fulfill principle #1, above.  For many sources there is more than one container.

Source

1. Author
2. Title (italics if self-contained source or quotes if part of a larger container; title case caps)

Container(s)

1. Title of Container
2. Contributor
3. Version
4. Number
5. Publisher
6. Publication Date
7. Location

Supplemental Elements:

Supplemental elements may be included at the writer's discretion to fulfill principle #3, above.

• Date of Original Publication
• City of Publication
• Medium of publication
• Total number of volumes for a multi-volume work.
• Type of work, if unexpected (eg. Transcript or Lecture.)
• Publication history
• Government documents
• Date of Access

The MLA Style Center Quick Guides provide access to many examples of citations and include an excellent online interactive practice template. 

Click on some of the most commonly cited sources below to view information on what they look like, where to find their citation information, and how to cite in MLA format.

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This guide is meant as a general overview.  For more in-depth help, please use the following resources, review the MLA Handbook, or contact an LPC librarian.