MLA 9th Edition Format Guide: Works Cited and In-Text Rules

Short answer: MLA 9th edition uses author–page in-text citations, a Works Cited list built from nine core elements, 1-inch margins, double spacing, and a four-line header with your name, instructor, course, and date.

MLA 9 kept the container-based citation system introduced in MLA 8 and added clearer guidance on inclusive language, annotated bibliographies, and digital sources.

The Nine 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.

Page Setup

1. 1-inch margins and double spacing throughout
2. 12pt readable font such as Times New Roman
3. Header with your last name and page number, top right
4. Four-line heading on page one: name, instructor, course, date
5. Centered title in title case, no bold or underline

Works Cited Examples

1. Book: Mitchell, Sarah. Writing Under Pressure. Ridgeline Press, 2023.
2. Journal: Nguyen, Alan. "Revision Habits." College Composition, vol. 71, no. 2, 2024, pp. 88–104.
3. Website: Ortiz, Maya. "Study Skills That Stick." LearnWell, 12 Mar. 2024, learnwell.org/study-skills.
4. Film: Arrival. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Paramount, 2016.

How to Choose the Right Topic

Step 1. Identify the container — the larger work holding your source — before you build the entry.

Step 2. Record only the elements that exist; skip any that do not apply.

Step 3. Alphabetize the Works Cited by author surname with hanging indents.

Step 4. Match in-text citations to the first element of the Works Cited entry.

Step 5. Use "qtd. in" when citing an indirect source.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking a topic so broad you cannot cover it in the assigned page count


• Choosing a subject with no credible, peer-reviewed sources available


• Restating an argument without adding your own analysis or evidence


• Ignoring your instructor's rubric, required citation style, or page limits


• Leaving topic selection until the night before the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a source with no page numbers in MLA?

Cite the author name alone. For sources with paragraph or section numbers, use (Mitchell, par. 4).

Is a title page required in MLA?

No. Unless your instructor requests one, MLA uses the four-line heading on the first page instead.

What changed in MLA 9?

MLA 9 expanded guidance on inclusive language, annotated bibliographies, and formatting, but kept the MLA 8 core-element system unchanged.

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