How do I cite an abstract?
Very few circumstances call for citing an abstract. Never cite an abstract as a short-cut, a way of avoiding reading and citing the full published… Read More
Posts related to works-cited list
If I am listing the name of a government agency as publisher, should I separate out the name of the government?
No. The rules for government agencies as described in the MLA Handbook (2.1.3) do not apply to the “Publisher” slot. List the publisher’s name (i.e., the government… Read More
How do I cite lyrics I heard from a song in a musical?
To cite lyrics you heard from a song in a musical, follow the MLA format template. Note that how you cite the lyrics will depend… Read More
If an untitled poem is known by its first line, how do I style that line in my works-cited-list entry?
The MLA Handbook explains that when you refer to an untitled poem known by its first line, you should style the line the way it is shown in… Read More
When is Press spelled out in a publisher’s name in the new MLA style?
If the name of an academic press contains the words University Press, use the abbreviation UP in the publisher’s name, as indicated in the MLA Handbook (97):… Read More
Spanish Exercise 1
Ungraded assignment that prepares students to create an annotated bibliography in Spanish; includes an optional research component Read More
Spanish Exercise 2
Graded assignment that prepares students to create an annotated bibliography in Spanish; includes an optional research component Read More
Make MLA Style Work for You: Create Your Own House Style
Just as publishers often develop a “house style” sheet, so too can teachers . . . Read More
When an organization is the author and the publisher of a work, the handbook advises writers to begin the works-cited-list entry with the title of the source. Is it OK to use the organization’s name in a signal phrase or in the in-text citation even though the name does not begin the works-cited-list entry?
No. The text should always key to the list of works cited. You can provide the key in the parenthetical citation or in your text. Read More
Does the MLA still recommend the use of hanging indention? I don’t always see hanging indentions on The MLA Style Center.
Hanging indention is still the preferred way to distinguish entries in the list of works cited. In its formatting guidelines and in section 2.7 of… Read More