How should I style the name of an earthwork, such as the Great Serpent Mound?
Names of earthworks, like names of buildings, should not be italicized: We took a trip to see the Great Serpent Mound. Read More
Posts related to writing tips
Is it acceptable to use superscript for the letters following a numeral when I am listing numbered editions?
When listing numbered editions (e.g., 2nd, 3rd, 4th), most publishers, including the MLA, do not set the letters after the numeral superscript, but an instructor… Read More
Impact as a Verb
The MLA recommends restricting the use of impact as a verb . . . Read More
This Can Be Confusing
Chances are, you've begun many sentences with This Read More
When is it OK to start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction?
You can use a comma or a dash to connect these pairs of sentences, but writing them separately is not incorrect. It is looked upon… Read More
When should a beverage name be capitalized?
If the beverage is a brand name or a unique recipe title or includes a proper noun, capitalize it: Frappuccino (a coinage trademarked by Starbucks)… Read More
How do you punctuate a question that quotes a question?
Do not use two question marks. Use only the question mark contained in the quotation: Which Shakespeare character asked, “Is this a dagger which I… Read More
How do I style genus and species names, such as Homo sapiens, in MLA style?
MLA style was developed to be used by writers in the humanities, so we defer to our colleagues at The Chicago Manual of Style regarding how… Read More
Should commas be used around by and an author’s name after a title?
It depends. In the following example, commas are used to set off the by phrase because the phrase is not integral to the meaning of… Read More
In prose and titles, should an author use 3-D and 2-D or spell out the abbreviations?
It depends. MLA style minimizes the use of abbreviations in prose, but if in certain contexts the abbreviation is more common than the spelled out… Read More