MLA citation style

Introduction

This guide provides a basic introduction to the MLA citation style. It is based on the 9th edition of the MLA Handbook published by the Modern Language Association in April 2021.

The MLA Handbook is generally used for academic writing in the humanities. The handbook itself covers many aspects of research writing including evaluating sources, the mechanics of writing, the format of the research paper, plagiarism, as well as the way to cite sources.

This guide provides basic explanations and examples for the most common types of citations used by students. For additional information and examples, refer to the MLA Handbook.