Headline: Master the Art of MLA Date Writing: Your Ultimate Guide to Impeccable Academic Citations! 🤩
Introduction:
Writing a paper using MLA style? Then knowing how to format the date correctly is crucial for creating credible and professional citations. Fret not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the ins and outs of MLA date formatting, guiding you step-by-step to ensure your citations are on point. So, let’s dive right in! 😊
When to Include the Date
In MLA style, the date is typically included in two instances:
- In-text citations: When you reference a source within the body of your paper
- Works Cited page: In the entry for each source listed
Basic MLA Date Format
The basic format for writing the date in MLA style is:
Day Month Year
For example:
15 March 2023
Day
The day should be written in ordinal numbers (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and not as cardinal numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.).
Month
The month should be written in full and not abbreviated.
Year
The year should be written in four digits.
Special Cases
Dates Without a Day:
If the specific day is unknown, use "n.d." (no date):
n.d.
Dates With an Approximate Year:
If the exact year is unknown, use "ca." (circa, meaning "around"):
ca. 1950
Dates With a Range of Years:**
If the source covers a range of years, use a hyphen between the years:
1990-1995
In-Text Citations
In in-text citations, the date comes after the author’s name and is separated by commas:
(Smith, 15 March 2023)
Works Cited Page
On the Works Cited page, the date comes at the end of the entry, separated from the rest of the citation by a period:
Smith, John. "The History of MLA Date Formatting." Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 15, no. 2, 15 March 2023, pp. 1-10.
Comparison Table: MLA Date vs. Other Styles
| Style | Date Format |
|---|---|
| MLA | Day Month Year |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Month Day, Year |
| Associated Press (AP) | Month Day, Year |
Conclusion
Mastering the art of writing the date in MLA style is a crucial step in creating polished and credible academic citations. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your dates are formatted correctly and your citations are up to par.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles for more helpful tips and tricks on academic writing and citation styles. 😊
Take your writing to the next level! Explore our articles on:
- How to Write an Abstract in MLA Style
- Punctuation in MLA Citations: A Guide to Commas and More
- The Ultimate Guide to MLA Formatting
FAQ about MLA Date Format
How do I write the date in MLA style?
- Answer: Write the month, day, and year as numbers, separated by spaces. Do not use ordinal numbers (such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) or abbreviations.
What if the month is only one letter or number?
- Answer: Add a zero before the month. For example, write "05" for May.
How do I handle dates that span multiple years or months?
- Answer: Use a hyphen to separate the years or months. For example, write "2020-2021" for a period that spans two years.
What if I don’t know the exact date?
- Answer: Use the abbreviation "n.d." (no date) in place of the date.
Should I include the time of day?
- Answer: No, MLA style does not require you to include the time of day.
How do I write the date in a works cited entry?
- Answer: Place the date after the author’s name, separated by a comma.
How do I write the date in a parenthetical citation?
- Answer: Place the date in parentheses, after the author’s name and page number (if applicable).
What is the P-A-S guideline for writing the date?
- Answer: P-A-S stands for Present-And-Span. This guideline means that you write the present date (or the date of publication) first, followed by the word "and" if necessary, and then the span of time being discussed.
Can I use abbreviations for the months?
- Answer: No, MLA style requires you to write out the full month name.
Do I need to include commas around the date?
- Answer: No, MLA style does not require commas around the date.
