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APA, MLA, Chicago/Turbian, AMA - Citation Styles: MLA

This resource guide was designed to provide you with assistance in citing your sources when writing an academic paper. Popular citation styles are explained with examples.

Guides to MLA Style

Understanding the Elements

MLA style list of core elements

The eighth edition of the MLA Handbook introduced a new model for entries in the Works Cited list, one that reflects recent changes in how works are published and consulted.

Previously, a writer created an entry by following the MLA’s instructions for each publication format (book, DVD, web page, etc.). That approach has become impractical today, since publication formats and modes of access are constantly evolving.

In the new model, the writer creates an entry by identifying nine core elements—attributes common to many works—and assembling them in a specific order.

NEW! The ninth edition of the handbook provides numerous examples to help writers answer their most common question: “How do I cite a book (or DVD or web page)?"

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