What is MLA Style?
MLA style is the style recommended by the Modern Language Association (MLA) for documenting sources. It is used by classes in Literature, Arts, Humanities and some others.
When you use words (direct quotes) or ideas (paraphrases) from other authors in your paper, you must note them with in-text citations. In-text citations are also sometimes known as “parenthetical citations” because they are enclosed in parentheses. The author’s last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
If you introduce a quote or paraphrase with the name of the author, you would only include the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
TIP: Library databases will format citations for you. When you find a good article, always make sure to copy and paste the citation! If you are using other sources, like books or websites, you can follow the format examples below or use a citation generator like ZoteroBib.
MLA Core Elements | Author. "Title." Title of container (self contained if book), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs and/or URL, DOI or permalink). 2nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location, Date of Access (if applicable). |
eBook | Silva, Paul J. How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. E-book, American Psychological Association, 2007. |
An Entire Website | Felluga, Dino.Guide to Literary and Critical Theory. Purdue U, 28 Nov. 2003,www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/. Website. Accessed 1 Aug. 2017. |
A Page on a Website | "Athlete's Foot -Topic Overview."WebMD, 25 Sept. 2014, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview. Article. Accessed 17 Aug. 2016. |
Online Magazine | Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web."A List Apart: For People Who Make WebSites, 16 Aug. 2002, alistapart.com/article/writeliving. Article. Accessed 4 May 2009. |
Online Journal | Wheelis, Mark. “Investigating Disease Outbreaks Under a Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.” Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 6, no. 6, 2000, pp. 595-600, wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/6/6/00-0607_article. Accessed 8 Feb. 2009. |