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MLA Style Guide, 9th Edition: Number

This LibGuide reflects the changes to MLA style as directed by the MLA Handbook, Ninth Edition

Number (Works Cited)

Number is the sixth core element. This element may not be necessary for every Works Cited entry. Number is used to document multiple volume works which are numbered. For example, journals are typically numbered by volume and issue.

  • 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 volume as "vol." and the word number as "no.". Separate the two parts with a comma and a space in this format: vol. 10, no. 2,
  • This element ends with a comma.

Book in multiple volumes:

Damrosch, David, et al, editors. The Longman Anthology of World Literature. 2nd ed., vol. A, Pearson Education, 2009.

Journal article:

Houtman, Eveline. "Mind-Blowing: Fostering Self-Regulated Learning in Information Literacy Instruction." Communications in Information Literacy, vol.9, no. 1, 2015, pp. 6-18. www.comminfolit.org/index.phpjournal=cil&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=v9i1p6&path%5B%5D=203​.

Comic book issue:

Byrne, John and Jim Lee. "The Resurrection and the Flesh." X-Men, vol. 2, no. 4, Marvel Comics, Jan. 1992.

Television series episode:

"Something Nice Back Home." Lost, directed by Stephen Williams, performance by Matthew Fox , season 4, episode 10, Bad Robot, 2008.