Research Help: MLA Style Guides

MLA citations are created using the following template of core elements* (in this order):

1. Author.
2. Title of Source. 
3. Title of Container,
4. Contributor,
5. Version,
6. Number,
7. Publisher,
8. Publication Date,
9. Location.

Each element is followed by the punctuation as shown in the list above. 

Not every element will be relevant to every item being documented. 

A single item may have more than one container.

For more information and examples, please see Works Cited: A Quick Guide accessible at the MLA Style Center.

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* In addition to the core elements, there are supplemental elements that may also be included in a citation (for more details, see the MLA Handbook, 9th edition, beginning at section 5.105). 

MLA is the citation style most commonly used in the Arts and Humanities. 

The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook (2021) are the rules currently followed for writing and citing works in MLA style. Citations are created using core elements outlined by the MLA Handbook, and found here: MLA template of core elements. See Chapter 5 of the handbook for a detailed explanation of the core elements and containers.

MLA Style Center:

The MLA Style Center provides a range of guides and resources, including:

• Works Cited: A Quick Guide provides a brief tutorial using the MLA Practice Template and list of core elements to create an entry for a Works Cited. 
• Citations by Format: examples showing how to cite five basic source types. 
• Interactive Practice Template: a tool for teaching and learning MLA Style.
• Formatting Your Research Paper: a handy guide to formatting your paper the MLA way (covers margins, text formatting, titles, page numbers, placement of the List of Works Cites and more)
• Sample Papers in MLA Style: examples of fully formatted papers demonstrating how sources are documented, line spacing, etc.

Other Online Guides with Examples:

• Dalhousie University Libraries have created a MLA Style (9th) Quick Guide that features a short overview of in-text citations and Works Cited entries, with examples for most source types.
• The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) MLA Formatting and Style Guide includes examples of citations for a variety of formats, including books, articles and online sources. Includes a "Sample Works Cited Page" with examples of print and online sources, and a "Sample Paper." 
• Simon Fraser University Library's MLA Citation Guide covers in-text citation and includes a range of examples (such as citations for A-V materials and lectures and indirect citations).
• Citing Canadian Government Documents, MLA Style
  A Simon Fraser University Library Guide.

New 9th edition now available in print and online!