Writing Center

2009 Changes to MLA Format for Works Cited Page

Recently, the Modern Language Association incorporated new changes in the 7th edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (2009). No changes have been made in the format for in-text citations. But, the four major changes for a works cited page are as follows:

• MLA has switched from underlining to italicizing titles; this change was a long time coming.

• Each entry should end citing the publication medium: "Print" or "Web" (date of access must follow "Web"; place a period after the medium, if you add a URL to your citation); other mediums-among many-include CD Rom, DVD, Performance, and TV.  An example follows:

                Troyka, Lynn Quitman, Douglas Hesse.  Quick Access. 7^th ed. New Jersey:                                                              Pearson, 2007. Print.

• MLA format no longer requires URL addresses.  

   

1. They've discontinued this inclusion in works cited entries because 1) Web addresses (URLs) change frequently; 2) Often, it is easier to type in to a search engine the author and title to find the source; 3)  URL addresses can be long and complicated, which may contribute to mistakes in transcribing them in to the works cited page.
2.  A URL is an addition to be used only when it is necessary to locate the source or if a professor requires it.
3. If you decide to add a URL, it must come after the date of access and be enclosed in brackets. A period follows the date of access, space once, enclose the URL in brackets, and end the citation with a period:

Author. Publication. Overall website. Edition. Publisher (if you can't locate the publisher, use N.p.) date of publication (not available? Use n.d.) medium (Web). Date of access followed by a period. <http://www.byui.edu/WritingCenter/>.

 

• MLA has added new abbreviations.

                                                     Adapted from: Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: MLA, 2009. Print.