MLA 9th Edition & PERRLA – Perfect references, citations, & formatting

Support for the latest MLA 9th Edition

PERRLA handles all of the MLA 9 formatting for you – from paper setup to citations

Accurate references & citations

Our one-of-a-kind, human-built reference engine supports every source type and variation in the MLA 9th Edition style. Unlike every othere reference generator, we built our own reference engine from scratch to ensure its full accuracy.

Perfect layout & margins

We're more than just references: PERRLA builds a fully styled paper for you – paper sections, headings, styles...everything you need.

Works everywhere you do

Use PERRLA in Microsoft Word (desktop and web), in PERRLA Online, in Google Docs, & with our Google Chrome extension – take PERRLA wherever you write.

Turn in polished Word docs

Wherever you write, PERRLA generates a perfectly formatted Word document that’s ready to turn in. Create Research Papers (student and professional papers), Discussion Posts, Reference Lists, and Annotated Bibliographies with confidence.

What is the MLA format?

What & why MLA matters to students & teachers

MLA 9 is a set of rules that helps students and researchers write papers that are easy to read, easy to grade, and easy to verify. MLA 9 covers two big things – how a paper looks on the page and how sources are credited in the writing. In other words, MLA 9 is not just “formatting.” It’s a system for making academic writing clear and trustworthy. Professors aren’t being picky – they want papers that are consistent and credible.

Professors are not (just) asking for proper MLA to be picky. They want papers that are consistent and credible.

MLA 9 helps readers do three important things:

Follow the argument without getting distracted by random formatting choices
Find the sources behind a claim (using in-text citations and the Works Cited list)
Check evidence quickly, especially for quoted passages or data

That is also why citations matter – they show where ideas came from and let readers verify the research.

What changed in MLA 9 for students?

Style updates, paper layout changes, & clearer digital guidance

PERRLA fully supports the MLA 9th edition and formats every part of your paper for MLA 9 – from page setup and in-text citations to the Works Cited page, headings, tables, figures, and appendices.

Some of the concrete updates in MLA 9 that PERRLA handles for you include:

Clarified “core elements” and continued support for the container model to cite parts of larger works.
Expanded examples for digital and streaming sources (podcasts, videos, social posts, and web pages) including guidance on DOIs and stable links.
Improved formatting rules for contributors, titles, and container information so citations read clearly and consistently.
Better support for annotated bibliographies and examples across unusual source types.

When you write with PERRLA, you don’t need to memorize these changes — we apply the MLA 9 rules for you as you create and edit your paper. Want to see it in action? Try it out yourself for free.

How can academic citation tools simplify MLA formatting?

Academic citation tools can significantly streamline the process of formatting papers in MLA style. These tools automate many of the tedious aspects of reference creation, citation management, and paper styling – allowing students to focus on content rather than formatting.

PERRLA does exactly that! We specialize in academic writing tools that simplify MLA formatting & writing. Key features include a human-built reference engine that ensures accurate citations, automatic formatting capabilities that save time, and integration with popular writing tools. These features make PERRLA an invaluable resource for students and professionals aiming for MLA 9th Edition compliance.

Using citation tools like PERRLA can enhance academic writing efficiency by reducing formatting errors and supporting citation management. These tools allow writers to maintain focus on their research and arguments, rather than getting bogged down by the intricacies of citation rules. As a result, writers can produce higher-quality work in less time, ultimately improving their academic performance.

It's about more than just proper citations

You'll benefit throughout the writing process with PERRLA

Avoid costly citation mistakes

PERRLA creates, formats, and keeps your references up to date as you write. PERRLA's proprietary Reference Engine is unique & built directly from the MLA 9th Edition Manual. We don't rely on inaccurate, free engines

Finish your paper faster

PERRLA starts you with a correctly formatted document so you can skip the tedious setup.

Works everywhere you do

Use PERRLA in Microsoft Word (desktop & web), in PERRLA Online, in Google Docs, and with our Google Chrome extension – take PERRLA wherever you write. Google Docs coming soon!

Submit your papers with confidence

Wherever you write, PERRLA generates a perfectly formatted Word document that’s ready to turn in. Create Research Papers, Discussion Posts, Reference Lists & Annotated Bibliographies with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the common questions we get about MLA from students

Does PERRLA fully support MLA 9, or just the basics?

Full support – every reference type covered in the MLA 9 Handbook, in-text citations, the Works Cited page, paper formatting (margins, header, page numbers, title block), and block quotes. Not "the basics" – the whole style.

What's different between MLA 8 and MLA 9, and which one does PERRLA use?

MLA 9 is the current edition (released 2021) and the one most universities now require. The biggest changes from MLA 8: clearer reference guidance, expanded inclusive language guidelines, and a more detailed treatment of annotated bibliographies. PERRLA uses MLA 9 – which is what your professor almost certainly wants.

Can I use PERRLA for MLA in literature, English, and humanities courses?

Yes – MLA is the dominant style in English, literature, comparative lit, foreign languages, cultural studies, and most humanities departments. PERRLA handles the source types these fields rely on most: books, book chapters, journal articles, plays, poems, films, and online sources.

Does MLA still want me to put a Works Cited page at the end?

Yes – MLA still uses "Works Cited" (not "References" – that's APA). PERRLA generates and updates your Works Cited page automatically as you build and cite new references. No matter when you cite a reference with PERRLA, PERRLA builds & updates the Works Cited list without you doing anything.

Can I re-use my MLA references in an APA paper later?

Yes – PERRLA's Library is style-agnostic. References you create for an MLA paper are available for any future APA, MLA, or Turabian paper, and PERRLA renders them in the right style for whichever paper you're writing.

Does PERRLA cover the source types humanities students rely on most?

Yes – PERRLA covers every reference type defined in the MLA 9 Handbook, including books, journal articles, plays, poems, films, and online sources. Whichever source type you're citing, PERRLA's Reference Engine walks you through it. Need help with MLA formatting or source types? Visit the PERRLA Help Center.

PERRLA & MLA 9: Correct formatting from the start.