LibAnswers

MLA is currently in its 9th edition.

MLA style uses 9 core elements to help you compose a reference.

1. Author - The primary creator of the work.
2. Title of Source - The title of the work.
3. Title of Container - Where the work is found.
   • A container is a work that contains another work.
   • Examples:

     • Container	Contained
       Journal, Magazine, Newspaper	Article
       Anthology	Poem, Essay, Short Story
       Websites like YouTube	Video, Movie
       Museum Website	Digital Image of a Painting

   • Some works are self contained, for example a novel, so you wouldn't need to include a container in your reference.
4. Contributor(s) - People, groups, and organizations who contribute to a work without being the primary creator or author.
   • Examples: Translators, Editors, etc.
5. Version - A notation indicating a work has been released in more than one form.
   • The most common form of versions is found in books, which are commonly referred to as editions.
   • Examples: 2nd edition, 3rd edition, etc.
6. Number - The number indicates that the work you are citing is part of a sequence.
   • Numbers are typically used for volumes (vol.), issues (no.), episodes, or seasons.
   • Journals and scholarly articles typically contain volume and issue numbers, however, some journals do not use volume numbers. If there is no volume number indicated, you do not need to include one.
7. Publisher - The name of the publishing company responsible for producing the work.
8. Publication Date - The date when the version of work you are citing was published.
   • Depending on the type of work you are citing the publication date may include:
     • Year
     • Day or month
     • Season
     • Time Stamp
     • Range of dates or years
9. Location - Where the work you are citing is located.
   • Depending on the type of work you are citing the location will differ.

     • Example	Location
       Essay, short story, or poem in a printed anthology	Page range
       Articles in an online journal	DOI, permalink, or URL
       Performance, lecture, or art exhibit	The place where the work was viewed or heard

For more information, see section 5.1 of the MLA Handbook.