How to Format Abbreviations in MLA

• Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Published on 02/03/2024

When it comes to formatting abbreviations in the MLA style, adhering to certain conventions is crucial. The following guidelines cover common trends for abbreviating in MLA works cited and in-text citations.

• If the abbreviation ends with a small letter, use a period at the end, except for Internet suffixes, where the period comes before the abbreviation.
• Don’t use periods or spaces for abbreviations in all capital letters, unless it’s a proper name.

ABBREVIATIONS IN MLA CITATIONS

In references, months longer than four letters should be abbreviated, such as Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.

Academic presses in the publisher field are abbreviated as follows: University (U) and Press (P), forming abbreviations like Harvard UP or U of Oxford P.

The following abbreviations are recommended:

Acronym Consistency: Ensure uniformity when using acronyms or abbreviations throughout your MLA citations. Once you introduce an abbreviation, consistently use it throughout the document. This not only enhances readability but also avoids confusion for the reader. Citations Context: Tailor your use of abbreviations to the specific context of your citations. While MLA style allows for abbreviations to enhance brevity, it’s crucial to assess whether the abbreviation contributes to or hinders the clarity of your citations. Be mindful of the readers’ understanding and consider providing the full term along with the abbreviation upon first mention to establish clarity.

ABBREVIATIONS FOR SHAKESPEARE PLAYS

In narrative citations, Shakespearean plays are abbreviated, and it’s important to note that these abbreviations, being titles of works, are italicized. However, exceptions exist for references to the first and second folios and the quarto, as these are descriptors. Full references in the works cited list include the complete title and do not employ the abbreviations.