MLA Handbook Plus

Modern Language Association 

Content The MLA Handbook Plus platform offers writers of research papers a comprehensive, responsive platform for citing sources in the MLA style. This resource provides access to the full text of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook, the second edition of the MLA Guide to Digital Literacy, the first and second editions of the MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature, and video courses and tutorials for further learning. The MLA Handbook takes center stage and is presented in its entirety, complete with 142 visual examples and over 500 sample citations. In addition to the complete index, four appendixes are included: “Abbreviations,” “Citation Examples,” a “Guide to English Grammar,” and “Sample Papers” in MLA style. Each section of the work is assigned its own DOI to allow for reliable, trackable access.

Additional content on the site includes full interactive access to the MLA Guide to Digital Literacy, which provides researchers with information about conducting reliable online searches and understanding filters, algorithms, bots, and visual manipulation. Also available is the MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature, which assists students in better understanding databases, primary sources, starting research projects, and more. Finally, the site offers a set of short videos intended to guide students in understanding the core elements of MLA style and to gain facility with creating basic and more complex in-text citations. Each mini-course includes reflection questions and short quizzes.

Usability The MLA Handbook Plus interface is attractive, intuitive, and engaging. The top navigation menu provides access to the MLA Handbook, examples of citations and sample papers, videos, and additional books. An “About” section offers detailed information on using the site (including a how-to orientation video) along with FAQs and recent updates.

Clicking into the MLA Handbook section brings up the table of contents, with each chapter and subheading clearly marked. A search bar at the top of the page allows for keyword searching. Results are drawn from all of the available resources (the MLA guides as well as the handbook) and can be filtered by date, topic, and availability. On the right side of each page, users will find a content pane listing all of the book’s chapters, with expandable linked sections. Users can also move backward and forward through the chapters using the “Previous” and “Next” links on the left side of the page. Each page is richly cross-referenced, allowing users to easily connect with related information within the guides or the handbook. While in-line viewing is the default, a split-view function allows users to see examples in a split screen as they access the content. All views can be adjusted for size and optimal legibility.

Pricing MLA Handbook Plus uses a tiered-pricing model based on full-time undergraduate enrollments. To learn more about pricing, including options for secondary schools, consortia, international schools, and other organizations, please contact Christina Shea, library sales manager, at getHBplus@mla.org.

Verdict This responsive digital resource provides up-to-date, highly searchable information for students seeking to cite sources and engage in the research process, from formatting to documenting to using inclusive language. Highly recommended for any undergraduate or graduate institution.