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MLA Citation Style (7th edition): MLA Style 7th Edition

This guide provides an overview of the MLA format for citations and works cited lists. Links to more detailed guides are included.

MLA Handbook - Seventh Edition

This LibGuide covers the basic principles and guidelines of MLA citation style. If you need more information, there are MLA reference books available at the Lansdowne and Interurban libraries. 

MLA Quick Guide - Seventh Edition

Quick access to references and in-text examples for some of the more commonly used resources.

This quick guide is easy to print and have readily accessible when you are researching and writing your assignments and essays.

What is MLA Style?

Students in the Humanities (English Literature, Philosophy, Religion, etc.) are usually expected to submit papers in MLA style. MLA is the editorial style that the Modern Language Association has adopted.

For students, the most important aspect of the style is the method for documenting sources you have used in you papers.

Proper documentation requires that you acknowledge sources within your paper. These are called in-text citations. You must also provide a complete list of the sources you cite at the end of the paper. This is called a Works Cited list.

If you need citation examples for MLA's 8th Edition check out this guide from Douglas College. The Camosun MLA 8 Guide will be published soon.

MLA Citation Basics - Seventh Edition

  • Titles (books, periodicals, films, etc.) are italicized.  
  • The type of publication (print, Web, etc.) must be listed for every works cited entry.  
  • Print and Web will be the most commonly designated type. Other types include DVD, Videocassette, CD, Interview, Television, Film, Lecture, CD-ROM, etc.  
  • URL’s (Web addresses) are not recommended. The designation Web will let your reader know that you are using an online source.  
  • Include a URL only when the reader cannot possibly locate the source without it, or when your instructor requires it.  

  • Works cited from the Web must include the abbreviations N.p. when there is no publisher given, n.d. when the date of publication is missing and n.pag. when pagination is not used.

For examples of how to incorporate this information into your assignments see the “Examples Works Cited and In-text Citations" page of this guide.

NEW MLA Handbook - Eighth Edition

The editorial style of the Modern Language Association (MLA) is used by students and scholars in the Humanities: English Literature, Philosophy, Religion, etc. 

For students, the most important aspect of the style is the method for documenting sources you have used in your papers. You must provide a complete list of the sources you cite at the end of your paper, your Works Cited list. 

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Ask your instructor to confirm which Edition of the MLA citation guidelines they want you to use.

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For information about the new MLA Handbook Ninth Edition, see:

Looking for the previous MLA guide?