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MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Version

This LibGuide reflects the changes to MLA style as directed by the MLA Handbook, Eighth & Ninth Editions.

Version (Works Cited)

Version is the fifth core element. It is not always needed. If different versions of the source exist, use this element to state which version is being cited. Some examples of different versions include editions, director's cuts, and abridged or unabridged versions. 

  • This element begins with a capital letter only if the proceeding element ended with a period. If the proceeding element ended with a comma, the first letter of this element will be lower case.
  • Abbreviate the word "edition" and other descriptive words.
  • This element ends with a comma.

Edition:

Howard, Rebecca Moore. "Avoiding Sentence Fragments." Writing Matters: A Handbook for Writing and Research, 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, 2014, pp. 600-10. ​

Abridged/unabridged:

Sewell, Anna. Black Beauty. Unabridged version, F. M. Lupton, 1877.

Director's cut:

Scott, Ridley, director. Alien. 1979. Performance by Sigourney Weaver, director's cut, Twentieth Century Fox, 2004.