How do I create an in-text citation for a paginated, unpublished work?

Create an in-text citation for a paginated, unpublished work in the same way that you would cite any work with explicit page numbers. As the MLA… Read More

When should I use a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction?

Semicolons should be used before coordinating conjunctions—that is, terms such as and, or, and but joining independent clauses—when the clauses are long and have internal punctuation, as… Read More

How do I cite an author’s unpublished notebook?

When you cite unpublished material, follow the MLA format template and provide as much information from the source as you can. In general, list the… Read More

Do the MLA’s paper-formatting guidelines apply to papers that students write by hand?

The MLA does not offer specific guidelines for handwritten papers, so instructors should adapt guidelines for typed papers as they see fit. Read More

How do I format a table of contents in MLA style?

Tables of contents may be formatted in a number of ways. In our publications, we sometimes list chapter numbers before chapter titles and sometimes list… Read More

Where should I place the appendix in my paper?

An appendix should be placed before the works-cited list. If your paper includes a notes section, the order of the items should be appendix, notes,… Read More

How do I cite a screenplay?

Citing a screenplay is different from citing a film. The text of a screenplay that you consult will have its own authors and publication information. Read More

How are commas used in date ranges?

As the MLA Handbook (sec. 1.5) explains, when writing dates, you should “be consistent in your use of either the day-month-year style (12 January 2014) or the… Read More

If a paragraph begins with a short sentence that is less than a full line and that introduces a block quotation, should the block quotation be further indented than usual?

No. All block quotations in your work should be indented the same amount. Even if the block quotation occurs after a short line that is… Read More

How does the font and type size I choose affect the formatting of block quotations in my paper?

As the MLA Handbook notes, “If a quotation extends to more than four lines when run into your text, set if off from the text as a… Read More