The MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used extensively in the fields of humanities, education, and liberal arts. The primary source of MLA referencing is the MLA Handbook published by the Modern Language Association. The current edition of the MLA Style is 8th edition published in 2016.
One of the best resources to learn MLA Referencing is the guide published by Purdue Online Writing Lab. Microsoft Office 2013 Edition also supports creating references in MLA Style, but it follows the seventh edition of MLA as shown below:
There are numerous details and explanations presented in the Guide to MLA Style, and I will limit the discussion to the basic features that will get you started.
Heading 1 in MLA Style is left-aligned and bold. Heading 2 is left-aligned and Italic. Heading 3 is centered and bold.
This is My Heading 1
This is My Heading 2
This is My Heading 3
The next thing you need to know is how to do in-text citations and type the references in the Reference List. References page in MLA Style is known as Works Cited. The works that are cited most frequently include journal articles, books, websites, and dissertations/theses. Their syntax and format are as follows:
Journal Article:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, Pages.
Works Cited:
Zagona, Alison L., Jennifer A. Kurth, and Stephanie ZC MacFarland. “Teachers’ views of their preparation for inclusive education and collaboration.” Teacher Education and Special Education, vol. 40, no. 3, 2017, pp. 163-178.
In-text Citation:
(Zagona et al. 169)
Zagona et al. describe that … (170).
Book:
Author(s). Title of Book. City of Publication, Publisher, Publication Date.
Works Cited:
Redman, Peter. Good essay writing: A social sciences guide. London, Sage, 2017.
In-text Citation:
(Redman 15)
Redman highlights that … (25).
Website:
Author(s). “Title.” Publication Date, URL. Date of Access (if applicable).
Works Cited:
Porter, Michael E., and Mark R. Kramer. “Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility.” 1 Dec. 2006, https://hbr.org/2006/12/strategy-and-society-the-link-between-competitive-advantage-and-corporate-social-responsibility. Accessed 18 April 2019.
In-text Citation:
(Porter and Kramer 3)
Porter and Kramer argue that … (4).
Thesis/Dissertation:
Author(s). Title. Date of publication. Institution granting the degree, Description of the work.
Works Cited:
Richmond, J. Customer expectations in the world of electronic banking: A case study of the Bank of Britain. 2005. Anglia Ruskin University, PhD dissertation.
In-text Citation:
(Richmond 8)
Richmond asserts that … (11).
With this information and basic understanding, you are all set to begin writing your research paper, thesis, dissertation, and journal article. Good luck and all the best 🙂