How do I cite a source that uses “supplement” as part of its Number element?

This post explains how to cite a work that uses "supplement" in its Number element Read More

How should I style academic degrees?

Spell out or abbreviate academic degrees in your prose: The requirements for the associate of arts degree have been updated on the department website. The… Read More

Can e.g. be used at the end of a sentence?

If a writer wants to use e.g. in a sentence, then by convention the MLA would place it only within parenthetical text and before the… Read More

How do I style abbreviations like LOL in a title?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary spells LOL (as well as BTW, TMI, and other abbreviations used in text messaging) with capital letters. In a title, the term… Read More

Should the acronym of an italicized title be set in italics?

Yes. If you use an acronym in place of an italicized title, italicize the acronym, as shown in the example below: In his recent book,… Read More

How does the MLA style the name of the 2019 coronavirus?

The name of the 2019 coronavirus is styled by most organizations as either Covid-19 or COVID-19. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)… Read More

Should the abbreviation etc. be capitalized in a title?

Whether the abbreviation etc., meaning “and so forth,” should be capitalized in a title depends on its location in the title. In our publications, we… Read More

How should I form the plural of an abbreviation if the spelled-out form contains a plural term?

The plural of an abbreviation is formed by adding an s, even if the spelled-out form contains a plural term: prisoners of war (POWs) runs batted… Read More

Why does the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook include abbreviations before volume, issue, and page numbers?

The eighth edition of the MLA Handbook aims to make the style accessible to all instead of creating an insider’s code. Thus, it eliminates some of… Read More

Is it acceptable to use the abbreviation cf. in MLA style?

In MLA style, cf. may be used in parenthetical citations, but writers should take care not to use the abbreviation, meaning “compare” (from the Latin “confer”),… Read More