MLA Style Guide (9th Edition)
Learn the Modern Language Association citation style used in English, Literature, and Humanities.
Varying your literary analysis vocabulary? SynonymPro suggests context-aware synonyms so MLA commentary stays vivid.
Quick Reference: MLA In-Text Citations
Basic Format (Author-Page)
(Author PageNumber)Example: The analysis reveals important themes (Smith 45).
With Author's Name in Text
(PageNumber)Example: Smith argues that "citation matters" (45).
Two Authors
(Author1 and Author2 PageNumber)Example: Recent analysis shows this trend (Smith and Jones 23).
Three or More Authors
(FirstAuthor et al. PageNumber)Example: Multiple perspectives emerge (Smith et al. 67).
Key MLA Principles
📖 Author-Page System
MLA uses the author's last name and page number (no comma, no "p." or "pg."). This helps readers quickly find exact passages in the source text, which is crucial for literary analysis.
🚫 No Year in Citations
Unlike APA, MLA doesn't include publication year in in-text citations. The year appears only in the Works Cited list. In humanities, recency is less critical than in sciences.
"and" Not "&"
Always use "and" between author names, never "&": (Smith and Jones 45). MLA prefers a more traditional prose style.
📄 Page Numbers Always
Include page numbers for all citations from paginated sources. For web sources without pages, use paragraph numbers (par. 4) or section names only if provided.
Common Citation Scenarios
No Author
Use title (or shortened title) in quotation marks or italics:
("Study Finds" 12)No Page Numbers (Web Source)
Use author only, or paragraph numbers if numbered:
(Smith)or(Smith, par. 4)Indirect Source (Quoted in Another Work)
Use "qtd. in" for the source you actually read:
(qtd. in Smith 45)Multiple Works by Same Author
Add shortened title to distinguish:
(Smith, "Title" 45)Entire Work (Not Specific Page)
Name author in sentence, no parenthetical needed:
Smith's entire argument focuses on this theme.
Works Cited Basics
The Works Cited list appears at the end of your paper with full source details. Use hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
Journal Article
Author. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. page-range.
Book
Author. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Website
Author. "Title of Page." Website Name, Publisher, Date, URL.
MLA vs. APA Quick Comparison
Why the difference? MLA focuses on literary analysis where page location matters most. APA emphasizes scientific recency where publication date is crucial.
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