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MLA Style - 8th Edition: MLA 8th vs 7th Editions

A guide to the elements of the new MLA Handbook.

MLA: Changes in the 8th Edition

If you are used to MLA 7th Edition, you will see some changes in MLA 8.

MLA 8 is arranged around “containers” instead of formats. Books, journals, and web sites are examples of containers. A container within a container is possible, so there could be a journal that is on a web site. This will become evident in the examples.

Other changes include:

  • No cities of publication for books.
  • No medium (print, web, etc.).
  • The use of abbreviations such as vol. for volume, no. for number, and p. or pp. for page number(s) is added.
  • Permanent URLs (without http:// or https//).
  • It is no longer necessary to cite the date of access for online or electronic sources.

MLA Style Guides - Changes Explained