Do the credentials or titles of authors I cite need to be given?
As the MLA Handbook notes (1.2), a title like Dr. or Sir should not be included before a name mentioned in the text and is usually unnecessary… Read More
Posts related to writing tips
How do I refer to works with identical titles?
It’s not uncommon for a writer to discuss two or more works with the same title. For example, a writer may compare different editions or… Read More
Do I introduce an author’s full name and the full title of a work in each chapter of a book or dissertation?
It depends on the focus of your work. In a dissertation on a single author or title—say, Gabriel Marcel’s Being and Having: An Existentialist Diary—it… Read More
Does the MLA allow the use of contractions in scholarly writing?
Yes. The MLA allows contractions in its publications. In professional scholarly writing, sometimes a formal tone is desired, but often a more conversational approach is… Read More
Our school’s band is called the Marching Knights—is it a singular or plural noun?
Many collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on how they are used. As Claire Kehrwald Cook writes, “[I]f the collective noun denotes… Read More
Should sun, moon, and earth be capitalized?
When Merriam-Webster indicates that a term is “capitalized” or “usually capitalized,” the MLA capitalizes the term in its publications. When Merriam-Webster indicates that a term… Read More
Do I use a comma before Jr. and Sr.? What about names followed by roman numerals?
In the main text of your written work, use a suffix that is an essential part of the name—like Jr. or a roman numeral—when you… Read More
How many spaces should I leave after a period?
Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces. Whichever spacing you choose, be sure to use… Read More
Is a new edition of the MLA Style Manual going to be published?
No. The MLA Style Manual will be taken out of print. The system of documentation explained in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook is… Read More