If the author of a work is given as a division of an organization, do I still omit an author and list only the organization as publisher in my works-cited-list entry?
The MLA Handbook notes, “When a work is published by an organization that is also its author, begin the entry with the title, skipping the author… Read More
What pronoun should I use if I do not know the gender identity of the person I am writing about?
Do not use a pronoun in such cases. If a last name is given, repeat the person’s last name on subsequent mentions in your paper. Read More
How do I cite a map?
Maps appear as stand-alone print works, as images in books or websites, and as functional independent websites or parts of websites. As with any work,… Read More
How do I cite a personal interview when the interviewee wishes to remain anonymous?
If a person you are interviewing wishes to remain anonymous, do not create a works-cited-list entry for the interview. Instead, indicate in an endnote that… Read More
How do I abbreviate a title for a parenthetical reference if it begins with numbers?
Remember that the goals of parenthetical citation are clarity and concision. Thus, if a title begins with a number–for example: 1066: A New… Read More
How do I style the names of centuries in MLA style?
MLA style spells out the names of centuries in prose and in titles of English-language works, even when the title page uses a numeral:… Read More
How do I cite a Twitter thread or conversation in my text and in my works-cited list?
A thread is a series of separately written but related tweets that are given a single URL. If you’re discussing the thread as a whole… Read More
Should the font size for endnotes in a paper differ from the font size for the text of my essay?
No. In a research paper, dissertation, or other unpublished manuscript, you should select a standard font size (e.g., 12 points) and let the word processing… Read More
How do I indicate in my work-cited-list entry that the translator of a work is the same as the author of a work?
If the version of the work you are citing indicates that the author is also the translator of the work, repeat the author’s last name… Read More
Is a comma needed after a short introductory phrase?
No. For more on when to include and omit commas, see our post. Read More