MLA (8th Edition): Home

In previous MLA editions, writers consulted a specific citation formula for a source's format (e.g.,book, website, journal article). This sometimes confused writers because they did not know how to cite every type of source, such as a television clip watched on YouTube. The MLA 8th Edition eliminates much of this confusion by establishing a set universal guidelines that writers can apply to any source. Instead of asking, "How do I cite a journal article?" writers combine the MLA core elements in a specific order to assemble a citation, regardless of the publication medium. 

MLA 8th Edition Core Elements:

1. Author.
2. Title of Source.
3. Title of Container,
4. Other Contributors,
5. Version,
6. Number,
7. Publisher,
8. Publication date,
9. Location.

Example: 

"Under the Gun" is a 2013 episode of the television series Pretty Little Liars The episode was watched online through the streaming service, Hulu. 

"Under the Gun." Pretty Little Liars, season 4, episode 6, ABC Family, 16 July 2013. Hulu, www.hulu.com/watch/511318

• The MLA Style Center: A free, online companion to the MLA Handbook. Includes a blog with helpful tips and opinions of MLA editiors. 
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: MLA Formatting and Style Guide
• Tutoring and Testing Center: Free writing tutors at Nova Southeastern University

1. Omit city of publication

2. Write out scholarly journal volume and issue 

It's vol. 50, no. 1 instead of 50:1

3. Designate page numbers in works-cited with pp.

It's pp. 66-72 instead of 66-72

4. Omit date of access. 

5. Omit medium of publication unless needed for clarification. 

No need to specify Print, Web, Film, etc.