Introduction to MLA Documentation

What you’ll learn to do: examine MLA documentation formatting and practices

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If you drive in the U.S., you know green means “go” and red means “stop.” These standardized signals prevent confusion and keep roads safe. Imagine the chaos if a city suddenly changed them!

Academic writing follows a similar system of standardized guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. Different disciplines use specific formatting styles, such as:

  • MLA (Modern Language Association) – Common in language and literature.
  • APA (American Psychological Association) – Used in behavioral and social sciences.

Document sources by following formatting guidelines, using in-text citations, and creating a works cited page.

Your instructor may require MLA, APA, or both. Following these citation styles allows readers to easily trace your research sources and ensures your work is properly formatted with in-text citations and a References (APA) or Works Cited (MLA) page that appropriately gives credit to the authors who inspired your work.

Editions

MLA periodically updates its style guide. As of 2021, the 9th edition is the latest, but it does not change in-text or Works Cited citations from the 8th edition. You can see a full list of 9th edition changes at the MLA website.