A handout listing MLA formatting basics.

"The proper use of a field's preferred documentation style is a sign of competence in a writer. Among other benefits, it shows that the writer knows the importance of giving credit where credit is due. It therefore helps the writer become part of a community of scholars and assures readers that the writer's work can be trusted" (Modern Language Association 6).

Listed here are some specific guidelines presented in the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook.

   The Introduction to the latest version of the Handbook stresses the following points:

• Cite simple traits shared by most works.

      The 8th edition of the MLA Handbook deals with facts that are common to most works rather than on publication formats such as books, articles from periodicals, films, or publications located on the Web.  The most common or shared facts such as author and title will be used in preparing citations. A significant purpose in applying this type of guidance is simplification.  It should be easier to prepare a citation for a new type of source. 

• There is often more than one correct way to document a source.        

      The Handbook states that information in the citation could vary depending upon the specific purpose of the research being conducted. Give standard credit for the use of a source may require less information than if the writer is "examining distinguishing features of particular editions."  If a paper is being prepared for a specific field of study, it may be necessary to add more details that will aid scholars who will be using that paper for further research.  

• Make the documentation useful to readers by checking for

                     --  Thoroughness of the researcher's work 

                     --   Giving credit to the original source

                     --   Aiding readers in easily locating the original sources

MLA suggests certain key words that will aid you as you begin the research process:

• THINK   (Evaluating the sources you have located)

            This area involves the evaluation of your sources.  With all of the material that is available for you to use from a tremendous variety of source material, it is important to consider these factors:

                  WHO = Who is the author of the article you wish to use?  Is he/she qualified to address this particular issue?  Has this person used appropriate sources to support his/her position regarding the subject?

                  WHAT = What is the source you are using?  What kind of supporting information does it provide?

                  HOW = Is the publisher one who is recognized in the industry?  

                  WHERE = Where did you find this source?  Is it a scholary publication that is made available through the library?  Is it a commercial source found on the Web?

                  WHEN = When was the work published?  

• SELECT  (Gathering source information)

               This involves collecting the information that is needed to complete your source citations.  This information should be collected as you read through the sources.  The information will be available where the source's author, editor, publisher gives credit for the work.  Collect the following information as you examine the sources:

               WHO = is the author?

               WHAT = is the title?

               HOW = was the work published?

               WHERE = was the source found?

               WHEN = was it published?

This information will become the parts of your bibliographic entry.         

• ORGANIZE  (Creation of your documentation)

               Remember that this organization of material provides a road map for your reader.  With this information, a reader should be able to locate the resources that you have used with ease.

Authors in MLA Format

Authors are listed the same way in all types of publications.

• List first author with the last name first
  • Examples: Smith, John D.
  • Smith, John David.
• Two authors are separated by a comma after the first author and the word and. Only the first author's name is inverted. The second listed in standard order.
  • Example: Smith, John D., and Rosemary L. Jones.
• When a source has three (3) or more authors, only the first one shown in the source is given along with the abbreviation et al.
•         Example: Smith, John D., et al.

Occasionally a publication will have a corporate author.  This may be a commission, an association, an institution, or a government agency.  This definition applies to any group whose individual members are not identified individually.

• Do not include The before the name of any organization in the Works Cited. When the entry begins with a government agency, begin the entry with the name of the government, followed by a comma and the name of the agency. Organizational units can be included between these components.  Remember to arrange the information moving from the largest entity to the smallest.    

•    Examples:

•       United States, Department of Commerce.
•       United States, Congress, House.
•      General Motors Corporation.
•      Oklahoma, Department of Human Services, Children with Special      Health Care Needs.

Editors in MLA Format

If an entire edited book with authored chapters is cited, the editor is listed as the author with the title "editor" following his/her name, or "editors" if there is more than one editor. Multiple editors are formatted the same way as authors.

• List first editor with the last name first, followed by a comma and "editor."
  • Example: Smith, John D., editor.
• Two editors are separated by a comma after the first editor and the word and. Just as with the author, only the first editor's name is inverted. 
  • Example: Smith, John D., and Rosemary L. Jones, editors.
• Two or more editors requires the combination shown in the example below.Example: Smith, John D., et al., editors.

Online sites specifically for MLA. All of these sites are using the 7th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.