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MLA Style Guide, 7th Edition: Editions

This is a guide for MLA Style. It is based on the Modern Language Association of America's MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Seventh Edition.

General Rules for Editions

Books

Place edition information after the name of the editor, translator, or compiler (if there is one). If not, place edition information after the title of the book. End with a period.  

Identify the edition by number (2nd ed.), by name (Rev. ed.), or by year (2008 ed.). Use what is indicated on the title page.

Abbreviate the word edition and other descriptive words:

  • Revised edition becomes Rev. ed.
  • Abridged edition becomes Abr. ed.
  • 2008 Edition becomes 2008 ed.
  • Third edition becomes 3rd ed.

Examples:

Schott, Joseph and John Priest. Leading Antenatal Classes: A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Boston: Books for Midwives, 2002. Print.

White, Colon. Foreword. The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book: Persons, Animals, Ships, and Cannon in the Aubrey-Maturin Sea Novels. By Anthony Gary Brown. 2nd ed. Jefferson: McFarland, 2007. 1-2. Print.

 

Newspaper

If an edition is named on the front page or masthead, add a coma after the date and specify the edition (e.g. natl. ed., late ed., early ed., Coastal ed.).

New York Times 13 July 2002, late ed.: B7+.