MLA Formatting and Style Guide

Purdue University website with examples.

What is MLA?

• MLA stands for Modern Language Association
• A style of documenting the sources you paraphrase, quote, and use in your research paper or project.
• Used in writing courses and the humanties, especially language and literature.
• Determines the exact format of your citations by specifying publication information to include and the order of this information as well as capitalization and punctuation. 
• Sources used appear at the end of the paper in an alphabetical list called the Works Cited page. 

Learn more at Modern Language Association

Why do I have to cite? 

• It is the ONLY way to avoid plagiarism! Plagiarism is a very serious offense with consequences. 
• The author or creator of the original work deserves to be recognized and given credit.

Learn more about plagiarism and avoiding plagiarism at the CSU Writing Center website.

Where can I get help?

• Talk to your professor.
• Schedule an appointment at the Writing Center.

Can you recognize plagiarism?