How to write dates MLA?
In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, dates are typically formatted in a specific way, following a consistent structure. Here are the guidelines for writing dates in MLA style:
Month, Day, Year Order: MLA style uses the day-month-year format. This means that the month is written out in full, followed by the day and year. Commas are used to separate each element, and there should be a space after the comma that follows the day and after the comma that follows the year.
Example: June 15, 2023
Abbreviating Months: When writing the month, you should use the full name of the month, not an abbreviation. For example, "June" instead of "Jun" and "July" instead of "Jul."
Ordinal Numbers: If the day of the month is followed by an ordinal number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), you should include the ordinal indicator as part of the day. Use superscript for the ordinal indicator.
Example: July 4th, 2023
No Leading Zeroes: Do not use leading zeroes for single-digit days or months. For example, write "June 5" instead of "June 05" and "July 9" instead of "July 09."
No Punctuation within the Year: There should be no punctuation (such as commas or periods) within the year.
Example: June 15, 2023 (Correct) / June 15. 2023 (Incorrect)
Sentence Context: In academic writing, the specific format of dates can vary based on the sentence context and citation style. Ensure that you consistently follow MLA style guidelines throughout your document.
In-Text Citations: When citing sources with publication dates in your text, you can use the same day-month-year format as described above.
Example: (Smith 15 June 2023)
Works Cited Page: On the Works Cited page, if you are citing a publication with a date, you should use the day-month-year format for dates, following the format used in the source.
Example: Smith, John. "The Importance of Proper Date Formatting." Journal of Writing Styles, vol. 8, no. 2, 15 June 2023, pp. 45-60.
Following these guidelines ensures that you format dates in MLA style correctly and consistently in your academic papers and research documents. Always consult the latest MLA handbook or style guide for any updates or variations in date formatting.
