MLA Guide (9th Edition)

1. What is the latest edition of the MLA handbook?

The latest edition of the MLA handbook is the 9th edition, which was released in 2021.

 

2. How do I cite multiple sources by the same author or authors?

In text Citations

If two or more works appear under the same author name or names in the works cited list, it is not sufficient to include only the author name and page number in the in text citation. In that case, for in text citations (per MLA Handbook, 9th edition, p.235), you must add a title to your in text citations so that your reader knows which work you are citing.

Works Cited

In the Works Cited (per MLA Handbook, 9th edition, p. 221): To cite two or more works by the same author, give the name in the first entry only. Thereafter, in place of the name, type three em dashes (or, if using hyphens, three hyphens), followed by a period and the title. The three em dashes (or, if using hyphens, three hyphens) stand for exactly the same name as in the preceding entry. This sort of label does not affect the order in which the entries appear; Multiple sources by the same person are alphabetized by their titles; terms describing the person's role are not considered in alphabetization.

For Example:

In text citation:

Parenthetical citation

• (Author, Shortened Title page #).
• (Author, "Shortened Title" page #)

Citation in prose

• As Author writes in Shortened Title ... (page #).
• Author states that (Shortened Title page #).
• As Author writes in "Shortened Title" ... (page #).
• Author states that ("Shortened Title" page #).

Note: Titles that are independent and self-contained (e.g., books) and titles of containers (e.g., anthologies) should be italicized. Titles that are contained in larger works (e.g., short stories, articles) should be in quotations.

Works Cited

Haynes, Stephen R. The Last Segregated Hour: The Memphis Kneel-Ins and the Campaign for Southern Church Desegregation. Oxford University Press, 2012.

---. Noah's Curse: The Biblical Justification of American Slavery. Oxford University Press, 2007.

Note: When alphabetizing by title ignore articles like A, An, and The. This is why The Last Segregated Hour is listed before Noah's Curse.

 

3. How do I cite Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in MLA style?

ChatGPT is a Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)/Large Language Model (LLM) not a knowledge creation tool. ChatGPT generates text from other sources without attribution. Generative AI content is nonrecoverable, so it cannot be retrieved or linked. You will need to confirm with your instructor whether you are permitted to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT in your assignments. If it is used, all of the content that is generated must be referenced. The links below offer ChatGPT citation guidance from the MLA Style Center. 

• Artificial Intelligence
• Chat Tool 

NOTE: Information about using and citing ChatGPT and other AI tools is still being developed and will continue to be updated.

 

4. How to cite multiple sources in a single parenthetical citations?

When citing multiple works parenthetically, place the citations in alphabetical order, separating them with semicolons. 

Example: (Brown 10; Wilson 5)

 

5. How to format a long quotation in MLA style?

Long direct quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse should be placed in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

• Start the quotation on a new line, indented one-half inch from the left margin.
• Use double-spacing throughout the quotation, including between paragraphs.
• The in-text citation should come after the closing punctuation mark of the quotation.