It's important to cite your sources so your reader knows who's saying what - you or another author. Citations boosts your credibility! It may feel tedious to focus on order and punctuation, but following the specific guildelines of a citation style keeps things consistent so your reader can follow up and find your sources for themselves.
This guide is a quick introduction to the Modern Language Association 9th edition citation style. Be sure to consult the MLA Handbook or the online MLA Style Center for detailed standards and procedures. You can also consult another resource like OWL Purdue.
If you made it all the way to the end of this step-by-by guide you should be proud of your committment to learning how to do college-level research.