MLA Format

what is it?

examples?

machines.... : )

links....(throughout)

what is it?

The Modern Language Association or MLA is the largest organization of its kind in the world. Founded in 1883 by teachers and scholars, the MLA promotes the study and teaching of language and literature (not just English, but all modern languages).  It has, over the years, developed its own system of documentation that has been adopted by most academic circles.  Other formatting systems do exist--most notably the American Psychological Association (APA) style, Chicago, and good ol' Turabian -- but in most English classes, students are required to use the MLA format.

examples/how to do it

Format links for the Modern Language Association's (MLA's) rules abound on the web.  Here are just a few of them:

• "Department Links" at Florida Southern College
• "Using Modern Language Association (MLA) format" from Purdue University's On-line Writing Lab
• and, of course, the momma of them all: the MLA

example:

• "MLA Citation Examples" written for the Honolulu Community College Library

some machines:

There are a variety of sites where you can pay for this privilege, but there are at least two that are free and comparatively reputable.  I might suggest it is worth your while to learn how to do this, but if you need help, these machines might just do that.

• the Citation Machine by the Landmark Project
• the Noodle Tools site has a citation system, though you will have to pay for some of the tools (there is a free section for MLA format)
• easybib is another place to go (it even asks if you want/need an annotation!)

last updated: 3/09