Virtually all students at HSMSE will learn the article citation and formatting standard known as MLA Style. Yes, it is an invaluable skill for literature and humanities papers, but what exactly is the story behind MLA Style, and what makes it the important tool that it is today?

First off, what is the MLA? MLA stands for “Modern Language Association,” and is the association that maintains the MLA format. The MLA periodically releases a new edition, or a changed form of citing, every few years to reflect new changes or challenges in using the format and to update it in the ever-changing world of research. The MLA is based on the idea that the study of dead languages, such as Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, did not prepare students for the realities of the current world. Thus, 40 like-minded professors came to a meeting in 1883 to form the MLA, which the professors thought would standardize and promote the use of modern language in academia. Franklin Carter of Williams College was the first president and A. Marshall Elliott of Johns Hopkins University was the first secretary of this new association.

MLA Style was created several decades after the creation of the MLA. During this time period between the founding of the MLA and the creation of the MLA format, the MLA grew, surviving the turmoil of World War I and World War II, where the MLA persisted despite being forced to cancel yearly meetings.

Finally, in 1931, the MLA would create their first MLA Style Edition, two years after the APA, a rival to the MLA format, released their format. Created by MLA members Carleton Brown and Cyril Arthur Peerenboom, the MLA emphasized consistency, not only in how the paper is physically structured, but also in grammatical and citation rules for MLA papers.
MLA style has gone through changes that have made it a more effective style guide. For example, in 1951, the style recommended use of both in-text citations and footnotes. However, footnotes were soon dropped from the guide because they were pulling reader attention away from the main text. Since the second edition was published in 1971, the MLA style has used a combination of in-text citations and a Works Cited page at the end of a paper to avoid the issues presented by footnotes. Then, in 1977 MLA style started to be tailored to humanities classes rather than scholars, through its new MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. This new publication expanded source citations, defined key terms, and was the first time the MLA discussed plagiarism. The internet age also brought changes to MLA Style, as challenges with citing internet sources shifted MLA style away from past instructions on strict citations to a more holistic approach that allows for a variety of internet citation situations.

But why is the MLA style so world renowned and so widely used? Not only does MLA style combat plagiarism through source documentation, but the clear structure of a MLA style research paper, such as a well-organized Works Cited page, offer an easy way to find information about sources. Also, the clear text size mandate of 12-point, double-spaced Times New Roman font allows for easy legibility. 

When one looks back on the history of the MLA style, it is clear that it is not just a simple tool used for research, but rather an intertwined collection of experiences and ideas that combine to form an elastic and living style that shapes how research looks. It is both practical and concise, meeting the needs of the researchers who use it and not overbloated with unnecessary requirements. The HSMSE community should appreciate the history and development of MLA format not just for what it delivers, but for the sheer scale of the accomplishment that it is.