Get the latest from the MLA Style Center! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
The Source from The MLA Style Center

The Source

Updates from the MLA Style Center

The Milky Way galaxy in the starry night sky

MLA Handbook Plus Is Expanding

New to the platform are two of our best-selling companion titles—the MLA Guide to Digital Literacy and the MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature—and a video course on MLA style is coming soon. Explore what the evolving site has to offer!

The word "relativity" spelled out in stylized letters

Who or That? It’s All Relative!

The relative pronoun who typically refers to animate beings, while that can refer to both animate and inanimate objects. An MLA editor can help you master the details

Black-and-white photo of five doors

Choosing the Right Alternative

Alternate and alternative are near synonyms, but according to some usage experts, they possess subtle differences. An MLA editor explains how to choose between them.  

A photograph of Farnsworth House by Mies Van Der Rohe (Wikimedia commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Farnsworth_House_by_Mies_Van_Der_Rohe_-_exterior-8.jpg)

Less Is More 

Certain common phrases can introduce unnecessary words into your prose. An MLA editor shows you how to express yourself more simply

A pyramid of Scrabble letters spelling out the word "discombobulated."

How to Avoid Comma Confusion 

Too many commas can drive your reader to distraction, while too few can cause confusion. An MLA editor can help you strike the right balance

Fewer or Less?

Choosing between fewer and less is a classic grammar conundrum. The MLA editors can help you get it right every time

How to Cite a Syllabus

A syllabus is more than just a classroom document; it is a scholarly resource, and you may need to cite one. The MLA editors show you how

Landscapes versus Portraits

Most research papers are written in a vertical orientation; however, there are times when a horizontal orientation is appropriate. The MLA editors explain.  

ASK THE MLA
MLA STYLE CENTER
GET THE HANDBOOK

Get a free copy of the new MLA Handbook.

Join the MLA and request your free copy of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook. The definitive guide to MLA style now includes hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries arranged by publication format.   

JOIN TODAY

Follow the MLA and stay up-to-date!