How do I cite a poem by line numbers if the numbering of the lines begins again at each section?

Provide the section number as well as the line number:  As Wordsworth writes in his series of sonnets The River Duddon, “Child… Read More

How do I cite a quotation that I use in the title of my paper?

If you include a quotation in the title of your paper, you should discuss the quotation in the body of your essay. Do not place… Read More

If I cite sources with the same lead author but different coauthors, do I use et al.?

Yes. In MLA style, when a work has more than two authors or editors, the works-cited-list entry provides the name of the lead author or… Read More

If my paraphrase consists of several sentences, should a citation for the original source appear after each sentence?

No. The citation should appear only after the final sentence of the paraphrase. If, however, it will be unclear to your reader where your source’s… Read More

Is a compound subject a noun phrase for the purposes of abbreviating a title, or should I just use the first noun?

As section 3.2.1 of the MLA Handbook explains, when you need to shorten a title for a parenthetical citation, “give the first noun and any preceding… Read More

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