MLA  

*** NEW *** "Reorganized and revised, the new, seventh edition evaluates the kinds of research resources available today and demonstrates techniques for finding reliable information online" (xvii, MLA Handbook).

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Seventh Edition

Call Number: REF LB2369 .G53 2009 2

ISBN: 1603290249

 

Students in the liberal arts and humanities are usually expected to submit papers based on the MLA style, the editorial style adopted by the Modern Language Association.

For college students, the most important aspect of the style is the method for documenting sources you have used in your research. 

Proper documentation requires that you acknowledge sources within your paper.  These are called parenthetical or in-text citations. You must also provide a complete list of the sources you cite at the end of the paper. This is called a works cited list. Every source in a works cited list must also be cited within the paper.

MLA style also provides rules for clear and consistent presentation of written material. There are rules for

• punctuation
• abbreviations
• construction of tables
• paper format, including headings, title page, page numbers etc.

 ***NEW***

• Titles that were formerly underlined (books, periodicals, films, etc.) are now italicized.
• The type of publication (print, Web, etc.) must be listed for every works cited entry.
• Print and Web will be the most commonly designated type. Other types include DVD, Videocassette, CD, Interview, Television, Film, Lecture, CD-ROM, etc.
• URLs (Web addresses) are no longer recommended. The designation Web will let your reader know that you are using an online source.
• Include a URL only when the reader cannot possibly locate the source without it, or when your instructor requires it.
• Journal citations must now include both the volume and issue numbers whether or not they use continuous pagination.

• Works cited from the Web must include the abbreviations N.p. when there is no publisher given, n.d. when the date of publication is missing and n.pag. when pagination is not used.

 For examples of how to incorporate these changes into your work see the “Parenthetical (in-text) Citations” and “Works Cited" sections of this guide.