The Modern Language Association is a research citation style that establishes standards of written communication for all scholars of the humanities disciplines.
MLA Style establishes standards of written communication concerning
formatting and page layout
applying stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations, principles of inclusive language)
citing sources
preparing a manuscript for publication in certain disciplines
Using MLA
promotes clarity
with cues readers can use to follow ideas more efficiently and to locate information of interest to them
allows readers to focus more on ideas
by not distracting them with unfamiliar or complicated formatting
establishes credibility
by demonstrating an awareness of the audience and their needs as fellow researchers (particularly concerning the citing of references)
maintains academic integrity in writing
Please note: MLA is only ONE research citation style, reserved for the humanities (English, Cultural Studies, Foreign Languages, Comparative Literature)
APA is reserved for writers preparing manuscripts in various social sciences such as:
psychology
linguistics
education
Chicago style is reserved for the disciplines of:
history
information science
communications
however, fields that use Chicago may also use APA or MLA such as art history, classics, film/TV, and philosophy