IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Modern Language Association updated their guidelines on April 1, 2016. We have not yet updated this section of Resources for Researchers to reflect these changes. We have ordered a copy of the new guidelines and will update as soon as possible.
Is there really a correct way to write dates?
Yes there is a correct way to write dates. The Modern Language Association uses the day/month/year format with the month abreviated. According to MLA, my birthday is 17 Jan. 1958; not January 17, 1958.
Some students might ask if it really makes a difference which way to write a date. After all, the same information is being communicated regardless of the order of information. But, by definition, it does make a difference.
If you are required to use MLA format for your paper and you write "January 17, 1958" or even "17 January 1958," your professor could rightly mark you down because your citation is wrong.
