MLA 9th Citation Guide

MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association of America. It is a set of rules for publications, including research papers. There are two parts to MLA: In-text citations and the Works Cited list.

In MLA, you must cite sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your research paper. Cite your sources in two places:

1. In the body of your paper where you add a brief in-text citation.
2. In the Works Cited list at the end of your paper where you give more complete information for the source.

The in-text citation points the reader to the full citation of the source in the Works Cited list. The Works Cited list is in alphabetical order. The in-text citation consists of the first part of the full citation, which is usually the author's last name, and the page number (if there is one) so that a reader can find the information in the source. 

The STLCC Writing Center provides the pages linked here. They are the best place to start to get help constructing your MLA Style citations.

This citation guide is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (9th ed.).  A copy is available in each STLCC campus library. 

The STLCC Writing Center is your best source for citation help. This guide has been adapted by St. Louis Community College Libraries with the with the permission of Seneca College Libraries to provide further examples and resources. For information on the original guide from Seneca College Libraries, contact lcc@senecacollege.ca.

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