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

The Source

Updates from the MLA Style Center

Person sitting outside with a laptop smiles while holding papers in each hand

Call for Student Essays: Due 19 January

We are now accepting submissions of student essays for a new resource, "Writing with MLA Style"! Selected essays should showcase MLA style and will be published online. Read more about how to submit an essay.

Person sitting in front of laptop looks confused

Understand Affect versus Effect

Guidelines that label affect a verb and effect a noun can sometimes lead you astray. Avoid confusion with the help of an MLA editor.

A stack of children's blocks with various numbers on the sides of the blocks

Know Your Note Numbers

A note number’s position depends on punctuation and what clarity demands. Get your notes right by following an MLA editor’s advice.

Two soccer players lean against one another as they fight for the ball

Sports Style: When to Capitalize

Capitalization questions regarding sports terms can confound even experienced writers. An MLA editor offers three guidelines.

A red banner hanging from a wood fence reads "Keep This Far Apart" with an arrow below stretching out several feet

Avoid (Over)Using Parentheses

It’s common to turn to parentheses to set apart some text. Read an MLA editor's tips for choosing other punctuation marks.

How to Cite a Review of a Product

How you cite a product review depends on its title and whether it has been published anonymously. The MLA editors provide some examples.

Every Publisher Deserves Credit

Copublishers should be included in the Publisher element and separated by a slash, the MLA editors explain.

A Guide to Labeling Labels

How should you identify labels that appear on physical items or in quoted sources? The MLA editors demonstrate with examples.

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!