When is a comma used before et al. in MLA style?

In MLA style, a comma is generally only used before et al. in the “Author” slot of works-cited-list entries when the author’s first and last names… Read More

How do I punctuate parenthetical citations that include an author’s name and “introduction”?

Separate the items with a comma: You Must Change Your Life is “a portrait of two artists fumbling through the desultory streets of Paris, finding… Read More

When I am quoting, do I need to indicate if italics are in the original?

No. In MLA style, italics in a quotation are assumed to be in the original unless otherwise indicated. See the MLA Handbook for more details on quoting… Read More

Should I use hyphens in compounds with adverbs ending in ly?

No. Since a compound formed by an adverb ending in ly cannot be misread, no hyphen is used: She had a politically transformative experience. Read More

If a sentence ends with an abbreviation followed by a period, should I insert another period to mark the end of the sentence?

No. A sentence should never have two periods at the end. If a sentence ends with an abbreviation followed by a period, do not add… Read More

If a title includes a period at the end, do I include the period?

Yes. If a title ends with a punctuation mark, include the mark: The Band Perry opened their set with the song “Done.,” the second track… Read More

Are names of groups like African American and Native American ever hyphened in MLA style?

In MLA style, if each part of the name of an ethnic or national group is an independent term, no hyphen is used, regardless of… Read More

If I am writing a paper in a foreign language and my works-cited list contains works in more than one language, should labels such as “edited by” be given in the foreign language or in English? Also, should the works-cited-list entry be punctuated according to the rules of the foreign language?

The language that you use to describe elements in your works-cited list should be the language that your paper is written in, which should also… Read More

In a works-cited-list entry, if a URL ends with a question mark, should a period follow?

If the last element of a works-cited-list entry is a URL ending in a question mark, a period should follow the URL: Krugman, Paul. “Bubble,… Read More

How should I style ellipses in MLA style?

The MLA Handbook explains that you should “[i]dentify an omission within a sentence by using three periods with a space before each and a space… Read More