MLA Style Manual

The Medical Library Association (MLA) Style Manual presents guidelines for all MLA publications, print and electronic, including but not limited to the Journal of Medical Library Association, MLA News, MLANET, annual meeting publications, and brochures.

Abbreviations

Names and Terms

Grammar

Punctuation

References

Numbers and Dates

MLA Items

Miscellaneous

Appendixes

Appendix A: Selected Bibliography

Appendix B: MLA Preferred Spelling and Usage

Appendix C: Common Trade Names in MLA Publications

Appendix D: Acronyms and Initialisms Used in MLA Publications

Appendix E: Selected Journal Title Abbreviations

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MLA publication style is based on The Chicago Manual of Style, fifteenth edition (CMS15) (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2003), and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition (MW11) (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 2003). However, MLA reference style is based on the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journal.

This manual is designed to guide MLA's writers and editors on questions of style that are not addressed by CMS15 or MW11, or on which MLA differs from these two authorities. When a question arises, individuals working on MLA publications should consult this manual first, then defer to MW11 for spelling and hyphenation and CMS15 for style and usage if the issue is not discussed here. In this manual, examples that are given to help clarify the issue are indented and in a smaller font.

A list of other references used and recommended by MLA is provided in Appendix A. Writers may also consult several back issues of MLA publications for samples. Writers for the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) should also consult the "Information for Authors." The style manual appendixes include MLA preferred spelling and usage, common trade names, acronyms, and journal title abbreviations.

Writers should be aware that editors may have a more comprehensive grasp of MLA style considerations, rules, and exceptions because of the frequency with which they deal with these issues and therefore reserve the right to choose among competing stylistic imperatives. Editors should be aware that writers are often experts in their subject area and may be more sensitive to subtle shifts in meaning that can result from a seemingly straightforward stylistic correction. Both parties should remember that the reader is the priority and, in that spirit, remain flexible without being lax and conscientious without being pedantic.

Acknowledgments

The Bulletin of the Medical Library Association style manual, upon which this manual is based, was originally compiled by Susan Y. Crawford, AHIP, FMLA, Bulletin editor from 1983–1988 and 1992–1993; and Kate Williams, copy editor, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Segments of the introduction were condensed from “CE 06: Writing for Publication: The Professional Journal Article” by Dottie Eakin, FMLA, and Pat L. Walter, AHIP, FMLA.

Additional revisions have been made by the following editors, publications liaisons, and assistants: Helen Bagdoyen, Naomi C. Broering, AHIP, FMLA, Jean Demas, Melissa De Santis, AHIP, Scott Garrison, Nunzia B. Giuse, AHIP, FMLA, Beryl Glitz, FMLA, J. Michael Homan, AHIP, FMLA, Rebecca N. Jerome, Linda M. G. Katz, AHIP, Taneya Koonce, Trudy K. Landwirth, Beverly Murphy, AHIP, Irwin H. Pizer, T. Scott Plutchak, AHIP, Nila A. Sathe, Rachel R. Walden, Kimberly S. Pierceall, Sioux Johannsen, Lynanne Feilen, Elizabeth Lund, Kirstin Wilcox, Jane Hardick, Aimee Baldridge, Susan C. T. Talmage, and Bleu Caldwell. The JMLA Editorial Board has also contributed style guidelines. MLA’s Publications Committee provided much guidance and support during many phases of development. The editors of MLA publications will continue to work with headquarters’ staff in updating the MLA Style Manual as necessary.