Here are the key differences between MLA seventh and eighth editions:
1. One standard, universal format for all citations.
2. Pseudonyms can be used for author's names.
It is now acceptable to use handles or screen names for author's names.
(WSJ for Wall Street Journal)
3. Using et al if there are three or more authors or other contributors (editors, translators, etc.)
4. Inclusion of containers for citations.
Both the title of the source and the container are included in a citation. For example, if a television episode is watched on Netflix, Netflix is the container.
5. Omitting the publisher from source types.
6. Omitting the city of publication. Include city of publication for works published before 1900 and if the version of the source differs when published in a different country (Example: British editions of books versus versions printed in the United States).
7. Using the abbreviation p. to indicate page number or pp. to indicate page numbers.Common terms such as editor, edited by, review, translator are no longer abbreviated.
8. Treating articles (A, An, The) as part of periodical titles. The article is italicized and its first letter capitalized.
9. Using the abbreviations vol. and no. for magazine and journal article citations. If an issue of a scholarly journal is dated with a month or season, including the month or season along with the year.
10. If the date of a publication is not given, no need to use placeholders like n.d. (no date).
11. Inclusion of URLs. Omit http and https from the URL.
12. The citing of digital object identifier (DOI) is encouraged.
13. Omitting access date
14. Omitting the medium (print, web, etc.) at the end of a citation.
