MLA Style Manual
Overview
The Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual is a comprehensive guide for scholarly writing, primarily used in the humanities and liberal arts. It provides a standardized format for research papers and citations in the academic world. The MLA Style Manual is one of the most widely used citation styles in academic writing, alongside the APA Style and the Chicago Style.
History
The MLA Style Manual was first published by the Modern Language Association in 1985. The association, founded in 1883, is a professional organization dedicated to the study and teaching of language and literature. The MLA Style Manual is currently in its 8th edition, which was published in 2016. Each edition has brought changes and updates to the citation style, reflecting the evolving nature of academic writing and publishing.
Structure
The MLA Style Manual is divided into several sections, each dealing with a specific aspect of scholarly writing. These sections include:
Paper Format
This section provides guidelines on the general format of a research paper, including margins, line spacing, and font size. It also covers the use of headings and subheadings, pagination, and the inclusion of tables and figures.
In-text Citations
The MLA style uses parenthetical citations within the text, rather than footnotes or endnotes. This section provides detailed instructions on how to cite various types of sources within the text.
Works Cited
This section provides guidelines on how to compile a list of works cited at the end of a paper. It includes instructions for citing a wide range of sources, from books and journal articles to websites and personal interviews.
Notes and Bibliography
While the MLA style primarily uses parenthetical citations, it also allows for the use of notes in certain circumstances. This section provides guidance on when and how to use notes, as well as how to compile a bibliography.
Usage
The MLA Style Manual is widely used in the humanities, particularly in fields such as English literature, foreign languages, and cultural studies. It is also commonly used in high schools and undergraduate college courses. The MLA style is known for its simplicity and flexibility, allowing writers to cite a wide range of sources.
Comparison with Other Styles
The MLA Style Manual, the APA Style, and the Chicago Style are the three most widely used citation styles in academic writing. Each style has its own strengths and is used in different academic disciplines.
The APA Style, for example, is primarily used in the social sciences and places a greater emphasis on the date of publication, reflecting the importance of recent research in these fields. The Chicago Style, on the other hand, is known for its detailed and comprehensive guidelines, making it a popular choice for a wide range of academic disciplines.
The MLA Style, with its emphasis on authorship and literary sources, is particularly well-suited to the humanities. Its simple and flexible citation system also makes it a popular choice for writers and researchers.