How Do I... 

MLA Style

 

MLA citation style refers to the rules and conventions established by the Modern Language Association for acknowledging resources in a research paper. The purpose of this guide is to provide ready reference and examples of MLA style.

The library keeps the most recent edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers in the Reference Collection under this call number:  Ref PN 160 .G53 2003  

 

The parenthetical reference identifies the source that is referenced within the text of your research paper.	The Works Cited page at the end of your paper provides the complete citation to each  parenthetical source.
See Citing Sources in the Text	See Works Cited List

 

MLA documentation is commonly used in English, foreign languages and literature courses.  Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes:

·        It gives proper credit to the authors of the material used

·        It allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research
and locate the sources you have listed in your Works Cited.

   
Additional MLA resources

Frequently Asked Questions (MLA sponsored site)
The Writing Center - University of Wisconsin - Madison
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)