What is MLA Style? Guide to Modern Language Association Referencing & Formatting
Learn MLA citation style for humanities writing. Understand how to format in-text citations, works cited pages, and references for books, journals, and digital sources according to MLA standards.
What is MLA Style?
MLA Style is a referencing format developed by the Modern Language Association. It is widely used in the humanities, particularly in literature, language, and cultural studies. MLA emphasizes concise in-text citations and a 'Works Cited' page for full source details.
In-Text Citation Example
According to Smith, identity formation is a lifelong process (45).
Works Cited Example
Smith, John. Understanding Identity. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Key Features of MLA Style
- Author-Page System: Citations include the author’s last name and page number.
- Works Cited List: Alphabetically ordered by author name.
- Minimal Punctuation: Clean and readable format for literary writing.
MLA Best Practices
- Use hanging indentation for entries in the Works Cited page.
- Italicize titles of books and journals.
- Include access dates for online materials when relevant.
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