The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a way to format your paper and sources. It is a means to show your audience (and instructor) where you found your information (whether direct quotes or paraphrased) and organize it in a consistent structure throughout your paper (in-text or parenthetical citations) and in your Works Cited. By doing so, you demonstrate your own credibility and avoid plagiarism.

The MLA style is most commonly used in Humanities courses including English, Philosophy, and Performing Arts.

This guide will give you a general introduction on how to format your paper and provide more detailed examples to refer back to for your assignments.

Your instructors may have slight variations in their requirements. Please refer to your course syllabus, contact your instructor, or ask your librarians if you have any questions.

On campus? Use the MLA handbook at the library: