The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities, such as literature, language, and cultural studies. The eighth edition of the MLA Handbook, published in 2016, introduced significant changes to the citation format, aiming to simplify the citation process and make it more flexible. In this article, we will explore the simplified citation formats in MLA style and provide examples and guidelines for proper citation.
Overview of MLA Citation Style
The MLA citation style is designed to be concise and easy to use. The eighth edition of the MLA Handbook emphasizes the importance of providing clear and accurate citations, while also allowing for more flexibility in citation formats. The MLA style uses a parenthetical citation system, where the author’s last name and page number(s) are included in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: (Smith 23). If the source does not have an author, the title of the source is used instead: (“The Great Gatsby” 12).
Key Changes in the Eighth Edition
The eighth edition of the MLA Handbook introduced several key changes to the citation format. One of the most significant changes is the use of containers, which refers to the larger work that contains the source being cited. For example, a journal article is contained within a journal, and a chapter is contained within a book. The container is included in the citation, along with the title of the source, the author, and the page number(s). Another significant change is the use of URLs and DOIs (digital object identifiers) in citations. URLs and DOIs provide a permanent link to the source, making it easier for readers to access the material.
| Type of Source | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| Book | Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication. |
| Journal Article | Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers. |
| Website | Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL. |
Examples of MLA Citations
Here are some examples of MLA citations for different types of sources:
Book: (Smith 23) - Smith, John. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.
Journal Article: (Johnson 12) - Johnson, Mary. "The Impact of Climate Change." Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 12-20.
Website: (Williams) - Williams, David. "The History of the Internet." Internet History, 10 Jan. 2020, https://www.internethistory.org/.
Citing Sources with No Author
When citing a source with no author, use the title of the source in the parenthetical citation. For example: (“The Great Gatsby” 12). If the source has a title but no author, include the title in the citation, along with the page number(s). For example: (“The History of the Internet” 12).
Best Practices for MLA Citations
Here are some best practices for MLA citations:
- Always include the author's last name and page number(s) in the parenthetical citation.
- Use title case for titles of sources, except for articles, which should be in sentence case.
- Include the URL or DOI in the citation, if available.
- Use the abbreviation "n.p." to indicate that there are no page numbers.
- Separate multiple authors' names with commas, and use "and" before the last author's name.
What is the purpose of MLA citation style?
+The purpose of MLA citation style is to provide a consistent and clear way of citing sources in academic writing, particularly in the humanities.
How do I cite a source with multiple authors in MLA style?
+To cite a source with multiple authors in MLA style, separate the authors’ names with commas, and use “and” before the last author’s name. For example: (Smith, Johnson, and Williams 12).
What is the difference between a URL and a DOI in MLA citations?
+A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the web address of a source, while a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique identifier assigned to a digital source. Both URLs and DOIs provide a permanent link to the source, but DOIs are more stable and reliable.
