What Is The Difference Between Mla 8 And Mla 9

Navigating the world of academic writing can feel like traversing a complex maze, especially when it comes to citation styles. Among the various styles, MLA (Modern Language Association) stands out as a widely used format, particularly in the humanities. As academic standards evolve, so do the guidelines for MLA, leading to revisions and updates. Understanding the differences between MLA 8 and MLA 9 is crucial for ensuring your research papers are accurate, credible, and adhere to the latest academic conventions.

A Brief Overview of MLA and Its Importance

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a set of guidelines for formatting and citing research papers. Developed by the Modern Language Association, these guidelines provide a standardized approach to academic writing, ensuring consistency and clarity in scholarly work. MLA style covers various aspects of writing, including:

• Formatting: Margins, font, spacing, and heading styles.
• In-text citations: How to cite sources within the body of your paper.
• Works Cited page: A comprehensive list of all sources cited in your paper.

Using MLA style correctly is essential for several reasons:

• Credibility: Proper citation demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and are giving credit to the original sources of information.
• Avoiding plagiarism: Citing sources accurately helps you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense.
• Clarity: Consistent formatting and citation practices make it easier for readers to understand your arguments and follow your research.
• Professionalism: Adhering to MLA guidelines shows that you are a serious and responsible scholar.

MLA 8 vs. MLA 9: Key Differences

While MLA 8 and MLA 9 share many similarities, several key differences impact how you cite sources and format your paper. Here's a detailed breakdown of the major changes:

1. Core Elements: A Streamlined Approach

MLA 8 introduced the concept of "core elements," a standardized set of information to include in every Works Cited entry. These elements are:

1. Author.
2. Title of source.
3. Title of container.
4. Other contributors.
5. Version.
6. Number.
7. Publisher.
8. Publication date.
9. Location.

MLA 9 refines this approach by clarifying the order and presentation of these elements. While the core elements remain the same, MLA 9 emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between these elements. The goal is to help writers make informed decisions about what information to include and how to present it based on the specific source they are citing.

• Focus on Relationships: MLA 9 encourages writers to think critically about how each element relates to the source as a whole. For example, understanding the relationship between the "title of source" and the "title of container" is crucial for accurately citing articles from journals or chapters from books.
• Emphasis on Decision-Making: MLA 9 aims to empower writers to make informed decisions about citation. Instead of simply following a rigid formula, writers are encouraged to consider the purpose of each element and how it contributes to the overall citation.

2. Titles of Works: Clarity and Consistency

One of the most noticeable changes in MLA 9 involves the treatment of titles. Both MLA 8 and MLA 9 require you to italicize titles of self-contained works (e.g., books, journals, websites) and use quotation marks for titles of works within a larger container (e.g., articles, essays, poems). However, MLA 9 provides more specific guidance on how to handle complex titles, particularly those that contain other titles.

• Titles Within Titles: MLA 9 clarifies how to format titles that appear within other titles. For example, if you are citing an article about a book, the book title should be italicized, and the article title should be in quotation marks.

  Example: Smith, John. "A Critical Analysis of The Great Gatsby."

• Consistency: MLA 9 emphasizes the importance of consistency in formatting titles throughout your paper. Whether you are citing a title in the body of your paper or in the Works Cited page, the formatting should remain the same.

3. Handling URLs and DOIs: Accessibility and Persistence

In the digital age, many sources are accessed online, making URLs and DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) essential components of citations. MLA 8 required including URLs for online sources but allowed for the omission of "http://" or "https://". MLA 9 updates this guidance to reflect the evolving nature of online content.

• URLs: MLA 9 recommends including URLs for online sources whenever possible. However, it acknowledges that some URLs can be excessively long or unstable. In such cases, you can omit the URL and provide other relevant information, such as the name of the database or website where you found the source.

• DOIs: MLA 9 prioritizes the use of DOIs over URLs whenever available. A DOI is a unique and persistent identifier that provides a stable link to the source, even if the URL changes. If a source has a DOI, you should include it in your citation.

  Example: Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science, vol. 27, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-62. doi: 10.1000/1234567890.

• Removal of "Accessed" Date: MLA 8 required including an "accessed" date to indicate when you accessed an online source. MLA 9 removes this requirement, recognizing that many online sources are regularly updated. However, if the content of the source is likely to change, or if the date of access is relevant to your argument, you may still include it.

4. Inclusive Language: Promoting Respect and Accuracy

MLA 9 incorporates guidelines for using inclusive language in academic writing. This reflects a growing awareness of the importance of using language that is respectful, accurate, and avoids perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

• Gender-Neutral Pronouns: MLA 9 encourages the use of gender-neutral pronouns (e.g., "they," "them," "their") when referring to individuals whose gender is unknown or nonbinary.
• Avoiding Biased Language: MLA 9 advises against using language that is biased or discriminatory based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics.
• Person-First Language: MLA 9 recommends using person-first language when referring to individuals with disabilities. This means focusing on the person rather than the disability (e.g., "a person with a disability" instead of "a disabled person").

5. Handling Multiple Authors: A More Concise Approach

When citing sources with multiple authors, MLA 8 required listing all authors in the Works Cited entry. However, if a source had more than three authors, you could use "et al." after the first author's name. MLA 9 simplifies this approach by allowing the use of "et al." for sources with three or more authors.

• Three or More Authors: If a source has three or more authors, you can list the first author's name followed by "et al." in the Works Cited entry.

  Example: Jones, Sarah, et al. "The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health." Journal of Adolescent Psychology, vol. 15, no. 2, 2019, pp. 78-95.

• In-Text Citations: In the in-text citation, you should always use the first author's name followed by "et al."

  Example: (Jones et al. 82)

6. Container within a Container: Clarifying Complex Citations

MLA 9 provides more detailed guidance on citing sources that are part of a larger container, which is itself part of another container. This situation often arises when citing articles found in a database that is accessed through a library website.

• Identifying Containers: When citing a source within multiple containers, identify the primary container (the one that directly holds the source) and the secondary container (the one that holds the primary container).
• Formatting: In the Works Cited entry, list the title of the source, followed by the title of the primary container (italicized), followed by the title of the secondary container (italicized).

  Example: Smith, John. "The Role of Education in Economic Development." Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 35, no. 4, ProQuest, www.proquest.com.

7. Notes: Expanding on Ideas and Providing Context

MLA 9 clarifies the use of notes (footnotes or endnotes) in academic writing. Notes can be used to provide additional information, explanations, or context that is not essential to the main argument but may be helpful to the reader.

• Placement: Notes should be placed at the bottom of the page (footnotes) or at the end of the paper (endnotes).
• Content: Notes should be concise and focused on providing relevant information. Avoid using notes to present arguments or evidence that should be included in the body of your paper.
• Formatting: Notes should be numbered sequentially throughout the paper.

8. Emphasis on the "Why" Behind the "How"

Perhaps the most significant shift from MLA 8 to MLA 9 is the emphasis on understanding the rationale behind the citation guidelines. MLA 9 encourages writers to think critically about the purpose of each element and how it contributes to the overall citation.

• Understanding the Principles: MLA 9 emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying principles of MLA style, rather than simply memorizing rules.
• Applying the Principles: By understanding the principles, writers can make informed decisions about how to cite different types of sources and adapt the guidelines to suit their specific needs.
• Promoting Critical Thinking: MLA 9 aims to promote critical thinking and empower writers to take ownership of their citations.

Practical Examples of MLA 9 in Action

To illustrate the differences between MLA 8 and MLA 9, let's look at some practical examples of how to cite different types of sources:

1. Citing a Journal Article with a DOI

MLA 8:

Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science, vol. 27, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-62. doi: 10.1000/1234567890. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.

MLA 9:

Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science, vol. 27, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-62. doi: 10.1000/1234567890.

• Note: MLA 9 removes the "Accessed" date, prioritizing the DOI as a persistent identifier.

2. Citing a Website

MLA 8:

National Geographic Society. "Climate Change." National Geographic, 3 May 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/climate-change/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

MLA 9:

National Geographic Society. "Climate Change." National Geographic, 3 May 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/climate-change/.

• Note: Similar to the journal article, MLA 9 removes the "Accessed" date.

3. Citing a Book with Multiple Authors (More than Three)

MLA 8:

Jones, Sarah, et al. The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health. Routledge, 2019.

MLA 9:

Jones, Sarah, et al. The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health. Routledge, 2019.

• Note: The format remains the same, as MLA 8 already allowed for "et al." when there were more than three authors. However, MLA 9 makes it clear that "et al." can be used for sources with three or more authors.

4. Citing an Article from a Database

MLA 8:

Smith, John. "The Role of Education in Economic Development." Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 35, no. 4, 2010, pp. 567-584. ProQuest. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

MLA 9:

Smith, John. "The Role of Education in Economic Development." Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 35, no. 4, ProQuest, www.proquest.com.

• Note: MLA 9 removes the "Accessed" date and includes the URL of the database (if available).

Why the Changes? The Rationale Behind MLA 9

The changes introduced in MLA 9 reflect the evolving landscape of academic research and writing. The Modern Language Association aims to create a citation style that is:

• Flexible: Able to accommodate a wide range of sources, including digital and multimedia formats.
• Accessible: Easy to understand and apply for students and researchers.
• Inclusive: Promoting the use of respectful and accurate language.
• Relevant: Reflecting the current standards and practices of academic writing.

By emphasizing the underlying principles of MLA style, MLA 9 empowers writers to make informed decisions about citation and adapt the guidelines to suit their specific needs.

Transitioning from MLA 8 to MLA 9: Tips and Strategies

If you are accustomed to using MLA 8, transitioning to MLA 9 may require some adjustments. Here are some tips and strategies to help you make the switch:

1. Read the MLA Handbook: The official MLA Handbook is the most comprehensive resource for learning about MLA 9.
2. Consult Online Resources: Numerous websites and guides provide helpful information and examples of MLA 9 citations.
3. Use Citation Generators with Caution: Citation generators can be useful tools, but they are not always accurate. Always double-check the generated citations against the MLA Handbook or other reliable sources.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to master MLA 9 is to practice citing different types of sources.
5. Ask for Help: If you are unsure about how to cite a particular source, don't hesitate to ask your instructor, librarian, or writing center for assistance.

Conclusion: Embracing the Evolution of MLA Style

The differences between MLA 8 and MLA 9 may seem subtle, but they reflect a significant shift in the way we approach academic writing. MLA 9 emphasizes clarity, flexibility, and inclusivity, empowering writers to make informed decisions about citation and adapt the guidelines to suit their specific needs. By embracing these changes and understanding the rationale behind them, you can ensure that your research papers are accurate, credible, and adhere to the latest academic standards. Understanding these nuances is essential for academic integrity and effective communication in scholarly writing. As the digital age continues to evolve, staying updated with these guidelines is crucial for students, researchers, and educators alike.