Here's why:
* MLA format is primarily for academic papers and essays. Encyclopedia articles are reference works intended for a broad audience.
* Encyclopedia articles have their own formatting conventions. These conventions focus on clarity and accessibility for a wide range of readers, rather than the specific requirements of academic writing.
* MLA format emphasizes citing sources within the text. Encyclopedia articles generally do not use in-text citations as they are expected to be factual and reliable.
However, you can cite encyclopedia articles in your MLA works cited list.
Here's how to format an encyclopedia entry in MLA style:
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." *Encyclopedia Title*, edited by Editor's Name, Edition Number, Publisher, Year of Publication, Pages.
Example:
Smith, John. "Quantum Physics." *The Oxford Encyclopedia of Physics*, edited by Jane Doe, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2020, pp. 123-150.
Important notes:
* If no author is listed, use the encyclopedia title instead.
* If the encyclopedia is an online resource, include the URL and access date in your citation.
Remember, consult your instructor or style guide for specific citation requirements.