Should I use a person’s full name in prose if the full name has already appeared in a note or in a parenthetical citation?

The names of persons should be given in full when they first appear in the body text of your essay; subsequent mentions of the person… Read More

If I’ve cited a source in footnote 1, can I cite the source later in my paper by referring to the same footnote?

The source in the footnote might be better placed in the text, because MLA style uses in-text citations to refer to individual sources. See section… Read More

Can a title include a note number or symbol?

In our books, we follow our colleagues at The Chicago Manual of Style for note numbers and symbols in titles: “In books, a note number should… 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

Note Formatting in Microsoft Word

by Laura Kiernan

Learn how the how to format notes in Microsoft Word Read More

If I cite a passage that contains numerous quotations from other sources, how do I let my reader know the original sources of the quotations?

You are not obligated to tell your reader the original sources of the quotations. Nor should you include any note numbers or parenthetical documentation from… Read More

How are notes numbered and placed in the MLA’s books?

In edited collections of essays, the MLA places notes at the end of each essay and restarts note numbering at 1. We follow the same… Read More

How do I create an in-text citation for a note or marginalia by an editor or translator in a work listed under the author’s name?

If you are citing an editor’s or translator’s note for a work listed under the author’s name, create a works-cited-list entry for the work as a… Read More

How do I cite a director’s unpublished notes about a play?

Cite unpublished director’s notes by following the MLA format template. List the director’s name in the “Author” slot and provide a description in place of a… Read More

How do I cite a paraphrase and a quotation that occur in the same sentence?

If you need to cite a paraphrase and a quotation that occur in the same sentence, you may provide the page numbers at the end… Read More