MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): Welcome

MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association of America. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers.

There are two parts to MLA: In-text citations and the Works Cited list.

In MLA, you must "cite" sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

1. In the body of your paper where you add a brief in-text citation.
2. In the Works Cited list at the end of your paper where you give more complete information for the source.

Access Date: The date you first look at a source. The access date is added to the end of citations for all websites except library databases.

Citation: Details about one cited source.

Citing: The process of acknowledging the sources of your information and ideas.

In-Text Citation: A brief note at the point in your paper where information is used from a source to indicate where the information came from. An in-text citation should always match more detailed information that is available in the Works Cited List.

Paraphrasing: Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.

Plagiarism: Taking, using, and passing off as your own, the ideas or words of another.

Quoting: The copying of words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.

Works Cited List: Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay, and supports your research and/or premise.

From MLA Style Center:

Published in April 2021, the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook works as both a textbook and a reference guide...An all-in-one resource that makes MLA style easier to learn and use for writers at any level, the handbook includes

• expanded, in-depth guidance on how to use the MLA template of core elements to create works-cited-list entries that shows what each core element is, where to find it, and how to style it
• clarification that element names are not always literal and can apply to a range of situations (e.g., the Publisher element can refer to the publisher of a book or a sponsoring organization like the theater company that put on a play)
• a new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations
• a new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language
• a new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries listed by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more
• updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism
• a new chapter on formatting a research paper
• new, expanded guidelines on spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and more
• a new chapter on using notes in MLA style

Get updates on MLA style from our bimonthly newsletter, The Source.

Questions? Write to us at style@mla.org.

If you ever need assistance with your MLA citations, please contact us.

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This citation guide is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (9th ed.). The contents are accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Please note: Some examples illustrate Camden-Carroll Library's recommendations and should be viewed as modifications to the official MLA guidelines. 

This guide is used/adapted with the permission of Seneca College Libraries. For information please contact citation@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Note: When copying this guide, please retain this box.