The Official Source

The MLA Handbook, 9th Edition (2021) is the only official guide for MLA style, published by the Modern Language Association. Available in paperback, hardcover, and spiral-bound formats at mla.org, with online access through MLA Handbook Plus.

The 9th edition expanded guidance on inclusive language, added hundreds of citation examples, and refined the core elements template introduced in the 8th edition.

Quick Overview

MLA uses a core elements system—a flexible template that works for any source type:

1. In-text citations — Author and page number in parentheses

2. Works Cited — Full source details at the end of your paper

In-Text Citations

MLA in-text citations include the author's last name and page number (no comma between them).

Basic Format

The novel explores themes of identity and belonging (Morrison 45).

Morrison explores themes of identity and belonging (45).

Two Authors

The study revealed unexpected patterns (Smith and Jones 112).

Three or More Authors

Use the first author's name followed by "et al."

Recent scholarship challenges this interpretation (Garcia et al. 78).

No Author

Use a shortened version of the title.

The article highlights growing concerns ("Climate Crisis" 12).

No Page Numbers

For online sources without page numbers, omit the page number entirely. You may include paragraph numbers if provided.

The report emphasizes prevention strategies (World Health Organization).

Works Cited Basics

Your Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper on a new page. Center the title "Works Cited" (not bold, not italicized). Use hanging indents for each entry.

The Core Elements Template

MLA 9th edition uses nine core elements in this order:

1. Author.

2. Title of source.

3. Title of container,

4. Contributors,

5. Version,

6. Number,

7. Publisher,

8. Publication date,

9. Location.

Not every source has all elements—include only what's available and relevant.

Common Source Examples

Book

Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. Vintage Books, 2000.

Journal Article (Print)

Kincaid, Jamaica. "Girl." The New Yorker, 26 June 1978, pp. 29–32.

Journal Article (Database)

Lanser, Susan S. "The Feminist Poetics of Narrative Voice." Style, vol. 50, no. 4, 2016, pp. 473–94. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/style.50.4.0473.

Website

Hollmichel, Stefanie. "The Reading Brain: Differences between Digital and Print." So Many Books, 25 Apr. 2013, somanybooksblog.com/reading-brain-differences/.

YouTube Video

"How to Cite Sources in MLA Format." YouTube, uploaded by Scribbr, 14 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.

Interview

Elba, Idris. Interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air, NPR, 4 Sept. 2017.

Key 9th Edition Updates

The MLA 9th edition (2021) refined several guidelines:

• Inclusive language — New chapter on writing with respect and avoiding bias

• URLs optional — DOIs and permalinks preferred; URLs may be omitted if stable access exists

• Grammar guidance — Expanded chapters on punctuation, spelling, and mechanics

• More examples — New appendix with hundreds of sample entries by format

• Annotated bibliographies — New guidance for creating annotations

Formatting Your Paper

MLA format requirements:

• Font: Readable 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial, or similar)

• Margins: 1 inch on all sides

• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout

• Header: Your last name and page number in the upper right corner

• Heading: Your name, instructor, course, and date (left-aligned, double-spaced)

• Title: Centered, not bold or italicized (unless it contains a title)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Title capitalization — Use title case for all titles in Works Cited entries (capitalize major words)

Punctuation between elements — Most elements end with periods; container titles are followed by commas

Author names — Invert only the first author's name: "Smith, John, and Jane Doe"

URLs — Remove "https://" when including URLs; DOIs are preferred when available

Quotation marks vs. italics — Italicize standalone works (books, films, albums); use quotation marks for works within containers (articles, chapters, songs)

Who Uses MLA Style?

MLA is the standard citation format for:

• Literature and literary criticism

• Languages and linguistics

• Cultural studies

• Philosophy

• Religious studies

• Art history

• Theater and performance studies

Most English composition courses at the high school and undergraduate level require MLA format.

Further Resources

• MLA Style Center — Official answers and guidance from MLA

• Purdue OWL MLA Guide — Free comprehensive resource

• MLA Handbook Plus — Subscription-based full access with video tutorials

Need help generating MLA citations? Research tools like Wonders can export your sources in MLA format automatically.