Creating Vertical Lists in MLA Style
In some types of material, a vertical list may be preferable to a run-in list . . . Read More
Posts related to writing tips
When should citation information in captions be separated by commas instead of semicolons?
If you provide full bibliographic details in a caption, convert the periods normally used after the elements of a works-cited-list entry into semicolons: Fig. 1. Vincent… Read More
How to Write an Abstract
An abstract of a work, usually of an essay, is a concise summary of its main points . . . Read More
What percent of a source may I directly quote in my paper?
Writers, including student writers, should quote only what is necessary to make their point. Relying on a percentage to determine what’s necessary is unlikely to… Read More
When I use too in the sense of “also,” should I use a comma before it?
In most cases, you need not use a comma before too at the end of a sentence or commas around it midsentence: She likes chocolate chip… Read More
How do I style percentages?
The general guideline is to use the percentage symbol with numerals and to use the word percent with spelled-out numbers. In statistical copy that calls… Read More
I am writing my thesis in British English. Can I still use MLA style?
Yes. The MLA’s system for documenting sources is used throughout the world and may be adapted to many contexts. Follow the guidelines in the MLA Handbook… Read More
If I repeatedly use a quotation from the same source, do I need to use quotation marks each time?
You should generally use quotation marks if you repeat a quotation from the same source, but you may omit quotation marks when referring back to a… Read More
How do I eliminate back-to-back parentheses in a sentence?
To eliminate back-to-back parentheses in a sentence, you should generally reword: Original: The General Franco Institute published the most important Spanish colonial work on Andalusi… Read More
Does MLA style allow the use of slashed terms?
The slash is rarely necessary in formal prose. It mainly appears when two terms are paired as opposites or alternatives and used together as a… Read More