MLA Style

Definition

MLA Style is a writing and citation format created by the Modern Language Association, primarily used in the humanities. It provides a standardized method for citing sources, formatting papers, and structuring research works, which helps ensure clarity and consistency in academic writing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MLA Style emphasizes brevity and clarity, requiring concise writing and focused arguments.
2. In-text citations in MLA Style usually include the author's last name and the page number from which the information was taken.
3. The general format for a paper in MLA Style includes 1-inch margins, double-spacing throughout, and a legible font like Times New Roman size 12.
4. Each entry in the Works Cited list must have a hanging indent format where the first line is flush left and subsequent lines are indented.
5. MLA Style regularly updates its guidelines, with the 9th edition being the most current, adapting to new forms of media and changing conventions.

Review Questions

• How does MLA Style enhance the clarity and credibility of research papers?
  • MLA Style enhances clarity by providing specific guidelines for formatting, which ensures that papers are organized and easy to read. By using standardized citations, it also adds credibility because it allows readers to verify sources, thus supporting claims made in the research. The consistent format aids in understanding the flow of ideas while properly acknowledging the contributions of original authors.
• Discuss how in-text citations are formatted in MLA Style and their importance in academic writing.
  • In-text citations in MLA Style are formatted by including the author's last name followed by the page number where the referenced material can be found, all within parentheses. For example, a citation might look like this: (Smith 23). This format is important because it provides immediate attribution to the source within the text, allowing readers to understand where specific ideas originated without needing to flip to the Works Cited page constantly.
• Evaluate the impact of MLA Style on interdisciplinary research practices across different fields of study.
  • MLA Style's structured approach to citations and formatting influences interdisciplinary research by promoting uniformity in how sources are acknowledged across various disciplines, particularly in humanities-related fields. This consistency fosters collaboration among scholars from different backgrounds as it creates a common ground for understanding and interpreting research outputs. As research increasingly incorporates multimedia and diverse formats, MLA's adaptability ensures that it remains relevant across disciplines while emphasizing ethical scholarship through proper citation practices.

Related terms

Citations: References to the sources used in a work, which provide credit to original authors and allow readers to locate those sources.

Works Cited: A list of all the sources that were referenced in a paper, formatted according to MLA guidelines, usually found at the end of the document.

In-text citations: Brief references within the text of a paper that indicate the source of a quoted or paraphrased idea, typically including the author's last name and page number.