MLA Format - 9th Edition
The Modern Language Association (MLA) published the 9th edition of their handbook in 2021. Some departments and instructors may still be using MLA- 8th edition. Please consult your instructor if you are unsure which edition to use.
Introduction to MLA Style
Building confidence in the information and ideas we share with one another is perhaps more important today than ever before, and for nearly a century it has been the driving principle behind MLA style, a set of standards for writing and documentation used by writers to find and evaluate information, alert their audience to the trustworthiness of their findings through citation, and shape the expression of their ideas in conversation with others.
MLA Handbook by Call Number: Ref LB2369 .M52 2021ISBN: 9781603293518Publication Date: 2021-04-22Relied on by generations of writers, the MLA Handbookis published by the Modern Language Association and is the only official, authorized book on MLA style. The new, ninth edition builds on the MLA's unique approach to documenting sources using a template of core elements--facts, common to most sources, like author, title, and publication date--that allows writers to cite any type of work, from books, e-books, and journal articles in databases to song lyrics, online images, social media posts, dissertations, and more. With this focus on source evaluation as the cornerstone of citation, MLA style promotes the skills of information and digital literacy so crucial today. The many new and updated chapters make this edition the comprehensive, go-to resource for writers of research papers, and anyone citing sources, from business writers, technical writers, and freelance writers and editors to student writers and the teachers and librarians working with them. Intended for a variety of classroom contexts--middle school, high school, and college courses in composition, communication, literature, language arts, film, media studies, digital humanities, and related fields--the ninth edition of the MLA Handbookoffers *New chapters on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, numbers, italics, abbreviations, and principles of inclusive language *Guidelines on setting up research papers in MLA format with updated advice on headings, lists, and title pages for group project *Revised, comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for creating a list of works cited in MLA format that are easier to learn and use than ever before *A new appendix with hundreds of example works-cited-list entries by publication format, including websites, YouTubevideos, interviews, and more *Detailed examples of how to find publication information for a variety of sources *Newly revised explanations of in-text citations, including comprehensive advice on how to cite multiple authors of a single work *Detailed guidance on footnotes and endnotes *Instructions on quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and avoiding plagiarism *A sample essay in MLA format *Annotated bibliography examples *Numbered sections throughout for quick navigation *Advanced tips for professional writers and scholars
There are several official resources online to help you with MLA:
- MLA Style BlogThe MLA Style Center is the only authorized website on MLA style.
The main navigation links will show you how to set up your paper in MLA format, and how to properly cite a variety of resources, both in your references list and within your paper using in-text citations.
Lesley Tutoring Services
Librarians are happy to answer questions about citations, but we do not proof-read citations for accuracy. Contact Lesley's Center for Academic Achievement for help with formatting MLA, as well as writing papers and other academic challenges.
Services include:
- online tutoring for students taking courses off-campus or during intensive residencies
- face-to-face tutoring for students taking courses on-campus.
This LibGuide was adapted from "APA (7th edition) Citation Guide" by Professor/Librarian Diana J. Matthews of the Lawrence W. Tyree Library at Santa Fe College.