MLA style is most commonly used in Literature, Arts & the Humanities.
A copy of the MLA style manual is available in the Ready Reference area at the Research Help Desk on the first floor of the Academic Commons:
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Print.
Call Number: Ref. LB2369 .M165 2009
Format: Author's last name, first name. Title of the book. Place of Publication: Publisher name, Date of publication.
Example: Staff, Frank. The Valentine & Its Origins. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1969.
Format: Author's name. "Title of the article." Journal Title volume number (Date of publication): pages.
Example: Fuller, Graham. "Brute Force." Film Comment 39 (2000): 35-37.
Format: Author's name. "Title of the website article." Title of the entire website. Date of document or date of last revision, if known. Website URL (Date of access).
Example: Burka, Lauren P. "A Hypertext History of Multi-User Dimensions." MUD History. 1993. http://www.utopia.com/talent/lpb/muddex/essay (2 Aug. 1996).
Format: Author's last name, first name. "Title of article." Title of Publication. Edition number and/or date of publication. Name of electronic database. Name of online service provider. (Date accessed).
Example: Warren, Christopher. "Working to Ensure a Secure and Comprehensive Peace in the Middle East." U.S. Dept. of State Dispatch 7:14, 1 Apr. 1996. Academic Search. EBSCOHost. (12 Aug. 1996).
Some useful online resources include:
SU University Writing Center
MLA For Students (Flash)
Two Major Citation Styles
(Eastern Washington University)
- choose MLA Flash Tutorial
MLA Formatting and Style Guide (Purdue OWL)
Research and Documenting Sources: MLA Style
The Diana Hacker site on the basics of MLA style
FAQs About the MLA Style Manual From MLA