What is MLA?
MLA is an abbreviation for the Modern Language Association. It is a citation format used mainly in English, Modern Language, and Humanities research. When your ESL professors (or another professor) ask you to use MLA to format your paper they mean use this format created by the MLA and published in a handbook. This books offers examples of MLA research papers and how to do citations. It is available at the Information Desk and online. Ask a librarian for help if you have never used MLA before.
Click here to access DCCC Library's guide to MLA
Other Formats
There are other citations formats. If you plan on studying education, psychology, or other subjects in the social sciences you may have to use APA citation format. Ask a librarian for help if you are not sure what format you need to use for your paper.