How do I style examples of grammar principles?

Examples of grammar principles can be styled in various ways. They can be italicized, enclosed in quotation marks, or set as extracts, to name a… Read More

How do I cite the main idea of a work?

To cite the main idea of a work, key your reference to the first element of your works-cited-list entry. This element—usually the author or title—could… Read More

When should I use a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction?

Semicolons should be used before coordinating conjunctions—that is, terms such as and, or, and but joining independent clauses—when the clauses are long and have internal punctuation, as… Read More

Should I indicate in my works-cited-list entry that an article is a cover story?

No. But if the information is useful for your argument—for example, because it signals the importance of the article’s topic—you can mention it in your… Read More

Should media in reference to mass media be treated as a singular or plural noun?

The MLA follows Merriam-Webster, which states that media can be treated as singular or plural when the reference is to mass media (“Media”). So you may choose… Read More

After I’ve given a person’s name in full, should I use last name only thereafter even if I am writing a work with chapters rather than an essay?

Yes, generally follow this guideline, especially for frequently mentioned people or those who are the subject of the work. Read More

How do you form the plural and the plural possessive of family names ending in s?

Form the plural of family names ending in s by adding es. For example, below are the plural forms of the names Myers, Daniels, Forlines, and Collins: Myerses Danielses… Read More

Should there be a space between single and double quotation marks?

Although publishers often insert a thin space between single and double quotation marks to make the text easier to read, writers do not need to… Read More

How do I attribute information to a website article in my prose if no author is listed?

It depends on the source and who is responsible for the information in it. You might refer to the organization responsible for the site, the… Read More

If I am writing about two people with the last name Anderson, and one uses the suffix Sr., where do I place the suffix?

List the full name of each person and provide the suffix after the last name of the person to whom it belongs. In MLA style,… Read More