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Due to cuts to the Indiana State Library budget, as of August 1, access to several databases made available through the INSPIRE program will be significantly altered or unavailable as we seek access through alternative avenues.

Library Research and Resources

Need library sources and research help? You've come to the right place!

Overview

MLA (Modern Language Association) is a common citation format and writing style in the humanities, especially History, Philosophy, Literature, Art, Music, and more. MLA shares similarities with other formats such as APA and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS).

This guide is designed to be a quick reference. For more in depth help, visit MLA OWL or any of the links below.

MLA Core Elements

When creating a citation, you must use the Core Elements by number importance:

From MLA.org

Note: Format (such as "Print" or "Web") is not included and is not necessary in the 8th edition.

Format & Examples

Citation Format for In-Text Citations

For quoting somebody else's work, you must use parenthetical citations, which is giving credit of the originator of the source in parentheses. Generally, you must include the author(s) last name(s) and page number(s).

  • "According to Hernandez, in preparing to work with the students at risk, establishing an environment of open communication from the first day is critical (8)"

OR

  • "In preparing to work with the students at risk, establishing an environment of open communication from the first day is critical (Hernandez 8)."

Common examples of citation formats for Works Cited/Bibliographies

At the end of your paper in MLA format, you must have a Works Cited list or Bibliography, listing your citations in alphabetical order. Be sure to indent the 2nd line and beyond.

Resource Format Citation Format Example
Book Use core elements

Hernandez, Paul. The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching, and Connecting with Students at Risk. Corwin, 2016, Thousand Oaks, California.
eBook Use core elements

Szymanski, Stephan. Money and Soccer: a Soccernomics Guide. ProQuest Ebook Central, Nation Books, 2015. ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/iun/detail.action?docID=2039750#
Journal Article Use core elements While, Geoffrey M., & Uller, Tobias. "Quo vadis amphibia? Global warming and breeding phenology in frogs, toads and salamanders." Ecography, vol. 37, no. 10, 2014, pp. 921-929. EBSCOHost, proxynw.uits.iu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswsc&AN=000342613600001&site=eds-live. Accessed October 31, 2017.
Newspaper article Use core elements Bernstein, Richard. "Romania survives, but it falls behind in Europe." New York Times, 2003 September 21, p. N8, proxynw.uits.iu.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/92505825?accountid=11651 Accessed November 1, 2017

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