How do I punctuate elliptical constructions?
Elliptical constructions occur when you write two related independent clauses, typically separated by a semicolon, and you omit a word or words from the second… Read More
Posts related to punctuation
A Closer Look at MLA Style
An MLA editor offers a glimpse of some of the finer points of MLA style Read More
Where do I place the period when the Title of Source element ends with a single and a double closing quotation mark?
A period is always used after the Title of Source element in a works-cited-list entry, as described in section 5.120 of the MLA Handbook (217). Read More
Five Common Grammar Questions
An MLA editor addresses five common grammar questions Read More
How do you style the possessive form of acronyms?
To form the possessive of any acronym, including those ending in "S," add an apostrophe and an "s." Read More
How do I indicate that a line has been omitted from a run-in poetry quotation?
Use three ellipsis points bracketed by forward slashes to indicate that one or more lines have been omitted from a run-in poetry quotation. Read More
How to Avoid Bracketed Changes in Quotations
Writers sometimes use bracketed changes in quotations. But these changes are often unnecessary. Read More
Should I add a serial comma when I reproduce the title of a source?
If the title displayed on the title page of your source contains a serial comma, include the comma when you reproduce the title. For example,… Read More
In works-cited-list entries, why is there sometimes a period before the edition number and sometimes a comma?
According to the MLA format template, periods appear in a works-cited-list entry after the author, after the title, and at the end of each container… Read More
Rivers and Ladders and Bad Breaks, Oh My!
Checking page proofs involves identifying problems introduced in the typesetting process Read More