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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 8th Edition): Welcome

MLA 8th Edition

Welcome to Your MLA Citation Guide

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MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association of America. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers.

There are two parts to MLA: In-text citations and the Works Cited list.

In MLA, you must "cite" sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

  1. In the body of your paper where you add a brief in-text citation.
  2. In the Works Cited list at the end of your paper where you give more complete information for the source.

MLA Citation Media

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Top 10 Differences Between MLA 7th and 8th Editions

4 Section Of An MLA Paper

MLA Papers typically contain four major sections: 

  • Title page
  • Sections Headings
  • Main Body
  • Text Citations

Check with your instructor for specific requirements.

Commonly Used Terms

Access Date: The date you first look at a source. The access date is added to the end of citations for all websites except library databases.

Citation: Details about one cited source.

Citing: The process of acknowledging the sources of your information and ideas.

In-Text Citation: A brief note at the point where information is used from a source to indicate where the information came from. An in-text citation should always match more detailed information that is available in the Works Cited List.

Paraphrasing: Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.

Plagiarism: Taking, using, and passing off as your own, the ideas or words of another.

Quoting: The copying of words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.

Works Cited List: Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay, and supports your research and/or premise.

Do You Need Citation Help? Ask You Campus Librarian

Set up a personal consultation with a librarian to get help citing sources and formatting your paper in MLA style. 

 

Seneca College Libraries

This guide is used/adapted with the permission of Seneca College Libraries. For information please contact lcc@senecacollege.ca.

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