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WHAT IS MLA FORMAT?

It is a manuscript form and documentation system created by the Modern Language Association (MLA).  There are two general types of universal documentation systems--parenthetical systems and endnote/footnote systems.  MLA is a parenthetical documentation system.

A Parenthetical Documentation System  (MLA Uses One of Several Forms of This System)
A parenthetical documentation system has two parts:

1. In-text citation in parentheses.
2. List of works cited at the end of the paper.

Endnote/footnote Documentation System
The endnote/footnote documentation system has three parts:  

1. Superscript number in the text which refers to the note at the bottom of the page or the end of the text.  (Parenthetical systems eliminate this step.)
2. Documentation note at the bottom of the page or the end of the text.
3. Works Cited (bibliography) at the end of the paper.

Usually parenthetical documentation systems are easier to use than endnote/footnote systems because they require fewer in-text documentation steps.