How should I order the sources in a parenthetical citation?

The order of sources in parenthetical citations is up to you. Read More

Is it OK to use characters’ nicknames when discussing a work in MLA style, and if so, how should I style them?

If a character is predominantly referred to by a nickname in a work, then you may use that nickname in your paper. For example, in… Read More

Does including a first initial with a last name affect the order of names in a parenthetical citation?

No. When more than one name appears in a parenthetical citation, the order of those names should correspond to the quotations that precede the citation. Read More

Must an author be introduced for the first time in prose rather than in parentheses?

No. You do not need to mention an author’s name in your prose before citing the author in a parenthetical citation. Surnames alone are used… Read More

How do I shorten a last name in English composed of more than one element?

Last names in English composed of more than one element are usually shortened to the final element, so a name like Harriet Beecher Stowe would… Read More

Where should authors’ names and affiliations be placed in a book manuscript for an edited collection?

If the publisher provides instructions about where to place authors’ names and affiliations, the volume editor should follow these instructions. Published versions of books typically… Read More

Is the particle al- or el- at the start of an Arabic last name capitalized in a works-cited-list entry?

In general, no. The MLA’s guidance on Dutch particles applies to Arabic last names prefixed by al- and el- except that al- and el- are… Read More

If an author’s name appears in a foreign script, such as Cyrillic, how should the name appear in the works-cited-list entry?

Use either the transliterated or the familiar form of the name in prose, in-text citations, and works-cited-list entries. If an author is likely to be… Read More

How should I style brand names?

The styling of brand names depends on whether they are trademarked. Always check the dictionary, which lists many brand names. Trademarked brand names are capitalized… Read More

How should I style the names of Chinese dynasties in MLA style?

The MLA follows the guidance given in The Chicago Manual of Style for capitalization. The manual lowercases names of eras (“Descriptive Designations”), so when styling the… Read More