Introduction
Have you ever struggled to format a date in MLA style? You’re not alone! MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a common citation style used in academic writing, but its rules for dates can be a bit confusing. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of writing dates in MLA format, so you can avoid any citation mishaps 👍
Step 1: Understand the MLA Date Format
The general MLA date format is:
Month Day, Year
For example:
- March 15, 2023
Step 2: No Commas or Periods
Unlike some other citation styles, MLA does not require commas or periods when writing dates. This keeps the format simple and consistent.
Step 3: Abbreviating Months
For months with four letters or more, you can abbreviate them using the first three letters. For example:
- Jan.
- Feb.
- Mar.
For months with three letters or less, use the full name:
- May
- Jun.
- Jul.
Step 4: Handling Decades
If you need to cite a decade, use the first and last year of the decade, separated by a hyphen. For example:
- 1960s
Step 5: Citing Specific Days
If you need to cite a specific day within a month, use an ordinal number. For example:
- 12th
- 22nd
- 31st
Step 6: Quoting Dates from Sources
When quoting a date from a source, do not alter it. If the date in the source is incorrect, you can add "[sic]" after the date to indicate that it is an error.
Step 7: Punctuation for Parenthetical Citations
When including a date in a parenthetical citation, place a comma before the date. For example:
- (Author, Year)
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you have the skills to write dates in MLA format like a pro 👍 Remember, the key is to keep it simple and consistent. If you follow the steps outlined in this blog post, you’ll be formatting dates in MLA style with confidence in no time.
Check out our other articles for more helpful writing tips:
- How to Write a Thesis Statement in 5 Easy Steps
- The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism in Academic Writing
- 10 Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid in Academic Writing
FAQ about MLA Date Format
How do I write a date in MLA format?
Answer: Use the P-A-S guidelines: Present-Author-Source.
What is the "Present" part?
Answer: The current date.
What is the "Author" part?
Answer: The last name of the author (or editor) of the source.
What is the "Source" part?
Answer: The year of publication for the source.
How do I write the date if there is no author?
Answer: Use "n.d." (no date) in place of the "Author" part.
How do I write the date if it is a range of years?
Answer: Use a hyphen between the years.
How do I write the date if it is a specific day or month?
Answer: Do not include the day or month in the MLA date format.
How do I write the date if it is a decade?
Answer: Use the first and last years of the decade.
How do I write the date if it is a century?
Answer: Use the first and last years of the century.
How do I write the date if it is a website?
Answer: Use the date the website was last updated, if available. If not, use "n.d." (no date).
