MLA Style Guide

    Master MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style with comprehensive examples and guidelines for literature and humanities writing.

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    Published: September 15, 2025
    By Paper Hero Team

    What is MLA Style?
    9th Edition

    The Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide

    MLA Style is the official style guide of the Modern Language Association and is primarily used in literature, arts, and humanities. The current 9th edition emphasizes flexibility and accessibility, providing guidelines that adapt to diverse sources while maintaining scholarly rigor and precision.

    When to Use MLA Style

    MLA style excels in disciplines that analyze texts, cultural artifacts, and human expression. Its author-page citation system prioritizes source accessibility over publication dates, reflecting humanities scholarship's engagement with both contemporary and historical sources.

    Primary Disciplines:

    Literature
    English
    Foreign Languages
    Cultural Studies
    Media Studies
    Philosophy

    MLA's strength lies in its emphasis on locating specific passages within sources. The author-page format enables readers to quickly find quoted or referenced material, essential for literary analysis and textual interpretation.

    MLA Citation Fundamentals

    MLA citations follow an author-page pattern that prioritizes source accessibility and precise location of referenced material. This system supports close reading and textual analysis by enabling readers to quickly locate specific passages.

    In-Text Citation Format:

    Basic Format:(Author Page)
    With Page Number:(Smith 42)
    Author in Text:(42)

    Works Cited Format:

    Author, First Last. Title of Work. Publisher, Year.

    Key MLA Style Features

    Author-Page System

    Emphasizes precise location of source material, enabling readers to quickly find specific passages for verification and analysis.

    Flexible Framework

    9th edition provides adaptable guidelines that accommodate diverse sources while maintaining consistent citation principles.

    Core Elements

    Uses nine core elements (author, title, container, etc.) that can be applied consistently across different source types.

    Literary Focus

    Designed specifically for humanities scholarship, with special attention to literary texts and cultural analysis.

    Quick Reference Examples

    Journal Article

    Smith, John A., and Mary L. Brown. "Literary Analysis in Digital Age."Modern Language Studies, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 123-145.

    Book

    Johnson, Robert K. Understanding Contemporary Literature. Academic Press, 2023.

    Website

    Modern Language Association. "Writing About Literature."MLA Style Center, 15 Mar. 2023, style.mla.org/writing-about-literature.

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