What is MLA Format?

"The Modern Language Association (MLA) is an organization responsible for developing MLA format. It was developed as a means for researchers, students, and scholars in the literature and language fields to use a uniform way to format their papers and assignments" (EasyBib).

"Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves three purposes: 

1. It gives proper credit to the authors of the words or ideas that you incorporated into your paper.

2. It allows those who are reading your work to locate your sources, in order to learn more about the ideas that you include in your paper.

3. Citing your sources consistently and accurately helps you avoid committing plagiarism in your writing" (Univeristy of Nebraska).