This guide will provide examples and tips for citing in the MLA citation style one of the most commonly used citation styles. Citing sources gives proper credit to the thoughts and ideas that have shaped the arguments you use in your paper. Failure to properly cite your sources may result in a failing grade in your work. The MLA citation style is used in many academic disciplines including English and Modern Languages, history, philosophy, music, fine arts and other areas of the humanities.
MLA Handbook by
The Modern Language Association, the authority on research and writing, takes a fresh look at documenting sources in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. Works are published today in a dizzying range of formats. A book, for example, may be read in print, online, or as an e-book--or perhaps listened to in an audio version. On the Web, modes of publication are regularly invented, combined, and modified. Previous editions of the MLA Handbook provided separate instructions for each format, and additional instructions were required for new formats. In this groundbreaking new edition of its best-selling handbook, the MLA recommends instead one universal set of guidelines, which writers can apply to any type of source. Shorter and redesigned for easy use, the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook guides writers through the principles behind evaluating sources for their research. It then shows them how to cite sources in their writing and create useful entries for the works-cited list. More than just a new edition, this is a new MLA style.
The following programs can help you generate your citation lists. We recommend using the library's refworks database for citation assistance. No matter which program you use, always check your work before you add it to your paper.
The University Writing Center is on the library's first floor. It provides individualized tutoring sessions to help you improve your writing. Tutors will discuss specific papers with you but they WILL NOT EDIT your work for you.
Walk-ins are welcome, but students are strongly encouraged to make appointments
Please visit the Writing Center homepage for more information, including hours and “What to Expect” when you visit.
