In academic writing, clarity and credibility are paramount. One of the most effective ways to achieve both is through consistent and accurate citation. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format stands as a widely recognized and respected style for documenting sources, particularly in the humanities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials of MLA 9th edition, equipping you with the knowledge to cite sources effectively and enhance the academic rigor of your work.
Understanding MLA 9th Edition: Core Principles
The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook marks a shift in approach, moving away from a rigid set of rules towards a more principle-based system. This evolution acknowledges the increasingly diverse and digital nature of sources. Instead of memorizing specific formats for every source type, MLA now emphasizes understanding the underlying principles of documentation. This approach offers flexibility and adaptability, allowing you to cite virtually any source you encounter.
The current MLA system revolves around a core set of elements, providing a universal method for citation. By focusing on the process of documentation rather than prescriptive rules, MLA 9th edition empowers writers to create clear, consistent, and informative citations across various disciplines and contexts.
The Nine Core Elements of MLA Citations
At the heart of MLA 9th edition are nine core elements. These elements represent the fundamental pieces of information needed to identify and credit a source. When constructing a Works Cited entry, arrange these elements in the following order, punctuated as indicated:
- Author.
- Title of source.
- Title of container,
- Other contributors,
- Version,
- Number,
- Publisher,
- Publication date,
- Location.
Understanding each element is crucial for accurate and complete citations. Let’s explore each element in detail:
1. Author
The citation begins with the author’s name. Present the last name first, followed by a comma and the rest of the name as it appears in the source. Conclude this element with a period.
Example:
Bhabha, Homi K.
2. Title of Source
The title of the source is the specific work you are citing. The formatting (italics or quotation marks) depends on the type of source:
- Italics for standalone works like books, journals, websites, and albums.
- Quotation marks for parts of larger works, such as articles, web pages within a website, essays in collections, and songs on albums.
Examples:
- Book (Italics): The Location of Culture.
- Webpage (Quotation Marks): “How to Make Vegetarian Chili.”
- Journal Article (Quotation Marks): “Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in Mahasweta Devi’s Bashai Tudu.”
- Song (Quotation Marks): “Pray You Catch Me.”
3. Title of Container
MLA 9th edition introduces the concept of “containers.” A container is the larger whole in which the source is located. Think of it as the context surrounding your source.
- For a poem in a collection, the collection is the container.
- For an episode in a TV series, the series is the container.
- For an article on a website, the website is the container.
The title of the container is usually italicized and followed by a comma. Sometimes, a source might have multiple containers (e.g., a journal article accessed through a database). Cite containers within containers to guide readers to your specific source.
Examples:
- Book Collection: The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories,
- TV Series: Parks and Recreation,
- Website: eHow,
- Journal Database: ProQuest,
4. Other Contributors
Besides the author, other individuals might have made significant contributions to the source. This category includes editors, translators, illustrators, directors, and performers. If their contribution is relevant to your research or necessary for source identification, include them. Use abbreviations like “edited by,” “trans. by,” “illus. by,” “dir. by,” “perf. by.”
Examples:
- Translator: Translated by Richard Howard,
- Editor: edited by Tobias Wolff,
- Performer: performance by Amy Poehler,
5. Version
If the source is a specific version of a work (e.g., edition, version), indicate it here. Abbreviations like “ed.” for edition are common.
Examples:
- Edition: 3rd ed.,
- Version: Authorized King James Version,
6. Number
If the source is part of a numbered sequence, such as volumes of a multi-volume work, journal volume and issue numbers, or episode numbers in a series, include these numbers. Use “vol.” for volume and “no.” for number.
Examples:
- Journal Volume and Issue: vol. 15, no. 1,
- Episode Number: episode 21,
- Volume in Multi-volume work: vol. 2,
7. Publisher
The publisher is the entity responsible for producing or distributing the source. If there are multiple relevant publishers, list them separated by a forward slash (/).
Examples:
- Book Publisher: Routledge,
- Journal Publisher: Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature,
- Production Company: Parkwood Entertainment,
Note: You can omit the publisher for periodicals, works published by the author or editor, websites that share names with the publisher, and platforms like YouTube or JSTOR that host but don’t publish content.
8. Publication Date
Provide the date when the source was published. Use the date most relevant to your research. If multiple dates are present (e.g., original publication and online release), choose the date that best suits your context.
Examples:
- Year: 1994.
- Full Date: 14 Dec. 1999.
9. Location
The location element specifies where to find the source. This could be:
- Page numbers for articles, essays, or book chapters. Use “pp.”
- URLs for online sources. Remove “http://” or “https://”.
- DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) for online journal articles. Use “doi:”.
- Physical location for objects experienced firsthand (e.g., museum and city).
Examples:
- Page Range: pp. 41-50.
- URL: www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html.
- DOI: doi:10.1002/tox.20155.
- Museum Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Optional Elements for Enhanced Citations
While the nine core elements form the foundation of MLA citations, certain optional elements can provide further context and clarity. Include these when they offer valuable information to your reader:
-
Date of Original Publication: Useful when a source has been republished or has multiple publication dates.
Example:
Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. 1984. Perennial-Harper, 1993.
-
City of Publication: Primarily for works published before 1900, where the city was often closely tied to the publisher.
Example:
Thoreau, Henry David. Excursions. Boston, 1863.
-
Date of Access: Recommended for online sources, as web content can change.
Example:
Bernstein, Mark. “10 Tips on Writing the Living Web.” A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites, 16 Aug. 2002, alistapart.com/article/writeliving. Accessed 4 May 2009.
-
URLs and DOIs: Including URLs is generally recommended for online sources to facilitate direct access. If a DOI is available, prioritize it over a URL for its persistent link.
Example (DOI):
Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo. “Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater Invertebrates.” Environmental Toxicology, vol. 21, no. 1, 3 Feb. 2006, pp. 90-94. Wiley Online Library, doi: 10.1002/tox.20155.
MLA In-Text Citations: A Quick Guide
In-text citations are brief references within your paper that point to the full bibliographic entries in your Works Cited list. They are essential for attributing ideas, paraphrases, and direct quotations to their original sources, maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.
The most common format for MLA in-text citations is the author-page number style. Place the author’s last name and the page number(s) in parentheses at the end of the sentence containing the cited material.
Examples:
- Author and Page Number: Imperialism is “the practice, the theory, and the attitudes of a dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory” (Said 9).
- Author Mentioned in Sentence: According to Edward W. Said, imperialism is defined by “the practice, the theory, and the attitudes of a dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory” (9).
For sources with media runtimes (videos, podcasts), include timestamps indicating the relevant section.
Example:
- (00:02:15-00:02:35)
The goal of in-text citations is to be concise and unobtrusive, allowing readers to easily locate the full source information in the Works Cited list without disrupting the flow of your writing.
Works Cited Page: Compiling Your References
The Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you have cited. It provides complete bibliographic information for each source, allowing readers to delve deeper into your research.
- Start the Works Cited page on a new page.
- Center the title “Works Cited” at the top.
- List entries alphabetically by the first element (usually the author’s last name).
- Use a hanging indent for each entry (the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented).
- Double-space the entire page.
Each entry in the Works Cited list is constructed using the nine core elements discussed earlier. Carefully compile these elements for each source, ensuring accuracy and adherence to MLA format.
Citing Websites and Online Resources in MLA
Given the prevalence of online sources, mastering their citation in MLA is crucial. When citing websites or online resources, remember to:
- Treat the website as a “container.”
- Include the URL or DOI as the “location” element.
- Consider adding the “date of access,” especially for content that may change.
Example: Citing the Purdue OWL Website (Individual Resource)
“MLA Formatting and Style Guide.” The Purdue OWL, Purdue U Writing Lab, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_9th_edition_changes.html. Accessed 18 Jun. 2018.
Conclusion: Mastering MLA for Academic Success
The MLA 9th edition offers a flexible and principle-based approach to citation, designed to accommodate the evolving landscape of sources. By understanding the core elements and applying them consistently, you can create clear, credible, and comprehensive citations. This Mla Guide has provided you with the foundational knowledge to confidently navigate MLA formatting and elevate the academic quality of your writing. Consistent practice and attention to detail will solidify your mastery of MLA, a valuable skill for academic success.
