MLA handbook for writers of research papers / Joseph Gibaldi.

CHAPTER 1. RESEARCH AND WRITING
1.1 The research paper as a form of explanation
1.2 The research paper as a form of writing
1.3 Selecting a topic
1.4 Conducting research
etc...


CHAPTER 2. THE MECHANICS OF WRITING
2.1. Spelling
2.2 Punctuation
2.3 Italics (underlining)
etc...


CHAPTER 3. THE FORMAT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER
3.1 Printing or typing
3.2 Paper
3.3 Margins
3.4 Spacing
3.5 Heading the title
3.6 Page numbers
3.7 Tables and illustrations
etc...


CHAPTER 4. DOCUMENTATION: PREPARING THE LIST OF WORKS CITED
4.1 Documenting sources
4.2 MLA style
4.3 The list of works cited and other source lists
4.4 Placement of list of works cited
4.5 Arrangement of entries
etc...


CHAPTER 5. DOCUMENTATION: CITING SOURCES IN THE TEXT
5.1 Parenthetical documentation and the list of works cited
5.2 Information required in parenthetical documentation
5.3 Readability
5.4 Sample references
5.5 Using notes with parenthetical documentation


CHAPTER 6. ABBREVIATIONS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Time designations
6.3 Geographic names
6.4 Common scholarly abbreviations
6.5 Publishers' names
6.6 Symbols and abbreviations used in proofreading and correction

Includes bibliographical references and index.