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English Composition I - ENGL 111

This guide will help you explore your topic and find the sources you need for your out-of-class research paper assignment.

MLA Basics

MLA style is commonly used in Composition classes, Literature, and other Humanities courses.

In 2016, MLA published the 8th edition handbook, which is significantly different from the 7th edition that had previously been used. The 9th Edition was published in 2021 but citation formatting has not changed. When using a citation guide or automatic citation generator like EasyBib, make sure you have selected MLA 9th edition or 8th edition.

Resources for MLA 8th/9th Edition

Complete style guide with formatting guidelines and works cited entry formats:

Excelsior Online Writing Lab: MLA Formatting
Formatting guidance based on the 8th edition is still acceptable; 9th edition did not change MLA formatting.
The MLA Style Center: Writing Resources from the Modern Language Association
Includes an interactive template to practice finding MLA citation elements and creating a Works Cited entry.

For how to cite specific types of sources:

Webpage Sources - MLA Works Cited Entry
Article from a Library Database - MLA Works Cited Entry
YouTube Videos - MLA Works Cited Entry
Includes format for images, television programs, films and DVDs, albums and songs.
Interviews - MLA Works Cited Entry
"They Say I Say" or other Anthology - MLA Works Cited Entry
Essays by different authors that are collected into a textbook are called "anthologies." Select the format for Anthology or Collection to see how to cite an individual essay or chapter.
How to Find Formatted Citations in Library Databases

Print a one-page MLA Citation Guide

MLA Handout - 9th Edition
Click the above to download a one page, double-sided quick reference guide for 9th edition MLA style.

Before You Use EasyBib...

EasyBib is a free, online tool for generating citations. Only MLA style citations are available on the free version. EasyBib is, as it's name suggests, easy to use, but the video below will give you some tips for finding the citations pieces you need to ensure that you get accurate, correct citations out of EasyBib.

This video shows how to use EasyBib for website sources only..

Formatting Your Paper

This video demonstrates how to format your essay in MLA Style (8th Edition)

This video demonstrates how to format a hanging indent for your Works Cited page in MS Word.