To use MLA format in an essay, consider the following:
Since its original publication, MLA has gone through numerous revisions. Each one has added new adaptations to account for ever-evolving technology and resources. It aims to adapt to the growing landscape of research and writing, especially in the digital age, while also maintaining clarity and consistency in citation practices for academic work in the humanities.
The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook is the most updated version of the guide created by the Modern Language Association. It is most likely the format you will be asked to follow in school. Published in 2021, it provides updated guidelines for formatting academic papers, citing sources, and conducting research in the humanities.
In-text citations are one of the most common important aspects of the MLA essay format. Every paper that relies on outsourced texts includes a works cited page. Yet, in MLA, these citations are highlighted in various parts of the paper as well. This is intended to adequately acknowledge the sources of information within the body of your essay. These citations serve two important purposes: to credit the original authors/researchers and to allow readers to locate the sources for further reference.
To cite sources in MLA format, follow the guidelines:
In short, the standardized framework is convenient for , in addition to ensuring consistency and professionalism in your papers. By following MLA guidelines, you demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity and facilitate the dissemination of knowledge within the scholarly community.
Keep in mind there are certain guidelines provided within the MLA format essay for the works cited page to be acceptable. Typically, the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the information was taken are included in parentheses. For example, (Smith 45).
For more on block quotes and a further, detailed explanation on the use of quotes, including MLA footnotes, refer to our and Parenthetical Citations Guide. In this guide you’ll find further information including directions for the use of quotes without an author, page numbers, and how to properly credit work from electronic sources.
Even though the writer modifies the information from another source, it is still necessary to credit the source using proper format (Handbook 98). Paraphrased information uses the same MLA reference format as stated in the section directly above this one.
Format your paper according to MLA guidelines
There are several important purposes that MLA serves. First, the uniform structure can make your essay visually appealing and aesthetic. Every foundational requirement is built to make a cohesive document easy to read and understand.
An MLA citation has two basic requirements:
Because the MLA format deals with the humanities, it places more emphasis on authorship than the other styles do. That means the names of creators are prominent in the text. By contrast, APA format emphasizes dates, and Chicago emphasizes supplemental notes like and .
MLA citations have nine core elements:
MLA format follows the "author-page" method of in-text citation. This refers to the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken appearing in the text. A complete reference should also appear on your "Works Cited" page.
The five guidelines below are the standard for any MLA-styled paper.
To cite an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author(s), the essay title, the book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for citations in prose, parenthetical citations, and works-cited-list entries for an essay by multiple authors, and some examples, are given below:
Figure 1 MLA format example: Key features
While online articles are the most popular, every MLA format paper also provides guidelines for citing electronic sources, such as websites and online articles. These guidelines ensure that readers can easily access the sources you used in your research.
Figure 2. Running head and page number in an MLA format paper
For the purpose of this article, let's assume that you are referencing page 27 in a book by John Smith titled “Book.” Using the 9th edition of MLA as a guideline, you must include in-text citations in your essay If you: