How should I format captions for figures that I include in my paper?

Illustrative visual material other than a table—for example, a photograph, map, drawing, graph, or chart—should be labeled Figure (usually abbreviated Fig.), assigned an arabic numeral,… Read More

Sins of Omission

Writers sometimes ask their readers to understand too much . . . Read More

Singular or Plural? Sometimes, It Depends

When each part of a plural subject possesses something individually . . . Read More

Comma Splices

Learn to identify comma splices Read More

Does the MLA allow the use of contractions in scholarly writing?

Yes. The MLA allows contractions in its publications. In professional scholarly writing, sometimes a formal tone is desired, but often a more conversational approach is… Read More

Quotes When Nothing Is Being Quoted

Authors often use quotation marks when nothing is being quoted . . . Read More

Do I need to create a separate works-cited-list entry for a story in a collection of stories by one author?

If a book collects works by one author, creating separate works-cited-list entries for each story, poem, or essay that you cite from the book is… Read More

How do I cite stand-alone sound recordings like MP3 or WAV files?

To cite stand-alone audio files, begin with the MLA format template: In the author-element slot, list the person or persons responsible for creating the… Read More

Spanish Exercise 1

Ungraded assignment that prepares students to create an annotated bibliography in Spanish; includes an optional research component Read More

Spanish Exercise 2

Graded assignment that prepares students to create an annotated bibliography in Spanish; includes an optional research component Read More