What is MLA?

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