What's The Difference Between Mla 8 And 9

MLA style guides are crucial for students and researchers, providing a standardized format for academic writing, particularly in the humanities. Understanding the nuances between the 8th and 9th editions of the Modern Language Association (MLA) handbook is essential to ensure accurate and up-to-date citations, formatting, and overall presentation of your work. The key difference between MLA 8 and 9 lies in its flexibility and emphasis on understanding the principles of citation rather than adhering to rigid rules. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the major differences, offering clear guidance on how to navigate these changes and apply them effectively to your academic writing.

Introduction to MLA Style

MLA style is a set of guidelines for formatting papers and documenting sources in academic writing. It is widely used in the humanities, including fields such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. The MLA style guide helps students and researchers present their work in a consistent and scholarly manner, making it easier for readers to understand the sources and arguments being presented. Understanding MLA is critical for any student aiming to produce high-quality academic work.

Historical Context: MLA 8 vs. MLA 9

The MLA handbook has undergone several revisions since its inception, with each edition reflecting changes in academic practices and technological advancements. The 8th edition, published in 2016, introduced a significant shift towards a more streamlined and flexible approach to citation. This edition moved away from providing specific citation formats for every type of source and instead focused on a universal set of guidelines applicable to various sources.

The 9th edition, released in 2021, builds upon the foundations laid by the 8th edition, refining and clarifying certain aspects while maintaining the overall emphasis on flexibility and adaptability. The MLA 9th edition does not represent a radical departure from the 8th edition but rather an evolution that addresses user feedback and incorporates new developments in information access and scholarly communication.

Key Differences Between MLA 8 and 9

1. Core Elements

Both the 8th and 9th editions of the MLA handbook organize source information into a set of core elements, which include:

• Author
• Title of Source
• Title of Container
• Other Contributors
• Version
• Number
• Publisher
• Publication Date
• Location

These elements are arranged in a specific order, followed by punctuation marks that help distinguish each element. The 9th edition provides further clarification and examples for applying these elements to different types of sources. While the core elements remain consistent, MLA 9 offers enhanced guidance on how to apply them in complex scenarios.

2. Title of Container

The concept of the "container" is central to MLA's approach to citation. The container refers to the larger work in which the source is found. For example, if you are citing an article from a journal, the journal is the container. Similarly, if you are citing a chapter from a book, the book is the container.

In MLA 8, the focus was primarily on identifying the container and providing its title in italics. MLA 9 continues to emphasize the importance of the container but offers additional guidance on identifying nested containers (i.e., a container within a container). For instance, a TV series (first container) may include an episode (the source), which is part of the series, the primary container.

3. Location

The "location" element refers to where the source can be found within the container. This can include page numbers, URLs, or DOI (Digital Object Identifier). MLA 9 provides more specific guidance on citing electronic sources and using URLs and DOIs effectively.

• URLs: MLA 9 recommends including URLs for online sources whenever possible, unless they are unwieldy or likely to change. If a URL is very long, you can use a shortened version.
• DOIs: DOIs are persistent identifiers that provide a stable link to the source. MLA 9 emphasizes the importance of using DOIs whenever available, as they are more reliable than URLs.

4. Handling of Multiple Authors

MLA 8 provided general guidelines for citing sources with multiple authors. MLA 9 offers more detailed instructions and examples for handling different scenarios, such as sources with two authors, three or more authors, or corporate authors.

• Two Authors: List both authors in the order they appear on the source, separated by "and." Example: Smith, John, and Jane Doe.
• Three or More Authors: List only the first author, followed by "et al." Example: Smith, John, et al.

5. Citing Indirect Sources

An indirect source is a source that you found cited in another source. In MLA style, it is always preferable to cite the original source directly. However, if the original source is unavailable, you can cite the indirect source.

MLA 9 provides clearer guidelines on how to cite indirect sources, emphasizing the importance of indicating that you are citing a source indirectly. Use the phrase "qtd. in" (quoted in) to indicate that the information comes from the secondary source.

Example: (Smith qtd. in Jones 56)

6. Formatting the Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is an essential component of any MLA-style paper. It lists all the sources cited in your paper, providing readers with the information they need to locate and consult those sources.

MLA 9 includes some minor changes to the formatting of the Works Cited page:

• Hanging Indent: Each entry on the Works Cited page should have a hanging indent, meaning that the first line of the entry is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented.
• Alphabetical Order: Entries should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name.
• Capitalization: Follow title case capitalization for titles of sources, meaning that you should capitalize the first letter of all principal words.

7. Inclusive Language

MLA 9 places greater emphasis on the use of inclusive language in academic writing. Inclusive language is language that is respectful and avoids perpetuating stereotypes or biases.

• Pronouns: Use gender-neutral pronouns (such as "they" or "them") when referring to individuals whose gender is unknown or nonbinary.
• Terminology: Avoid using language that is offensive or discriminatory towards marginalized groups.

8. Digital Media and Online Sources

With the proliferation of digital media and online sources, MLA 9 provides more comprehensive guidance on citing these types of sources. This includes instructions for citing:

• Social Media Posts: Cite social media posts by including the author's username, the content of the post, the platform (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), and the date and time of the post.
• Streaming Services: When citing content from streaming services like Netflix or Spotify, include the title of the work, the platform, and any relevant identifying information (e.g., season, episode).
• Online Videos: For online videos, include the creator's name, the title of the video, the platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo), and the date of publication.

9. Handling Ambiguous or Missing Information

MLA 9 offers enhanced guidance on handling situations where information about a source is ambiguous or missing. This includes strategies for:

• Missing Author: If the author of a source is unknown, begin the citation with the title of the source.
• Missing Date: If the publication date is unknown, use the abbreviation "n.d." (no date).
• Missing Title: If a source does not have a title, provide a brief description of the source in its place.

Practical Examples of MLA 8 vs. MLA 9

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.

Example 1: Citing a Journal Article

MLA 8:

Smith, John. "The Impact of Technology on Education." Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018, pp. 45-60.

MLA 9:

Smith, John. "The Impact of Technology on Education." Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018, pp. 45-60. ExampleJournalDatabase, doi: 10.1234/j.edt.2018.001.

Note: MLA 9 adds the database where the journal was found and the DOI, if available.

Example 2: Citing a Book

MLA 8:

Doe, Jane. The History of Art. New York, Penguin Books, 2000.

MLA 9:

Doe, Jane. The History of Art. Penguin Books, 2000.

Note: MLA 9 removes the city of publication, focusing solely on the publisher.

Example 3: Citing a Website

MLA 8:

"The Benefits of Exercise." Healthline, 15 Jan. 2020, www.healthline.com/fitness/benefits-of-exercise.

MLA 9:

"The Benefits of Exercise." Healthline, 15 Jan. 2020, www.healthline.com/fitness/benefits-of-exercise. Accessed 20 May 2024.

Note: MLA 9 recommends adding an access date, especially if the content is likely to change.

Example 4: Citing a Social Media Post (e.g., Twitter)

MLA 8:

@elonmusk. "Excited to announce the launch of our new product!" Twitter, 5 May 2021, 10:00 AM.

MLA 9:

@elonmusk. "Excited to announce the launch of our new product!" Twitter, 5 May 2021, 10:00 AM, twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1234567890.

Note: MLA 9 includes the full URL of the tweet, providing a direct link to the source.

Navigating Complex Citation Scenarios

Academic writing often involves citing complex or unusual sources. MLA 9 provides guidance on how to handle these scenarios effectively. Here are some tips for navigating complex citation situations:

• Consult the MLA Handbook: The MLA handbook is the ultimate authority on MLA style. Consult the handbook for detailed instructions and examples for citing different types of sources.
• Use the Core Elements: Remember the core elements of citation (Author, Title of Source, Title of Container, etc.) and use them as a framework for constructing your citations.
• Be Consistent: Consistency is key in MLA style. Apply the same citation format consistently throughout your paper.
• Seek Help When Needed: If you are unsure how to cite a particular source, don't hesitate to ask for help from your professor, librarian, or writing center.

Tips for Staying Up-to-Date with MLA Style

MLA style is not static; it evolves over time to reflect changes in academic practices and technology. Here are some tips for staying up-to-date with MLA style:

• Consult the Latest Edition of the MLA Handbook: Make sure you are using the most recent edition of the MLA handbook.
• Follow the MLA Style Center: The MLA Style Center is the official website for MLA style. It provides updates, FAQs, and other resources for students and researchers.
• Attend Workshops and Training Sessions: Many universities and colleges offer workshops and training sessions on MLA style.
• Use Citation Management Tools: Citation management tools like Zotero and Mendeley can help you format your citations and Works Cited page automatically.

Conclusion

While MLA 8 introduced a simplified, universal approach to creating citations based on a source's core elements, MLA 9 refines this approach with additional clarity and updated guidelines for modern sources. These adjustments reflect the evolving landscape of academic research and publication. The differences between MLA 8 and 9 are subtle but significant. By understanding these differences and following the guidelines outlined in the MLA handbook, you can ensure that your academic writing is accurate, consistent, and scholarly. Whether you are a student, researcher, or educator, mastering MLA style is an essential skill for success in the humanities. By staying informed and adapting to the latest updates, you can present your work with confidence and credibility.