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 emphasises 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.
- Italicise titles of books and journals.
- Include access dates for online materials when relevant.