The second edition begins with an expanded chapter on the publication process, from manuscript to published work, and includes advice for those seeking to publish their articles or books. The second chapter, by the attorney Arthur F. Abelman, reviews legal issues, such as copyright law, the concept of fair use, the provisions of a typical publishing contract, defamation, and the emergence of privacy law.

Subsequent chapters discuss stylistic conventions and the preparation of manuscripts, theses, and dissertations and offer an authoritative and comprehensive presentation of MLA documentation style.
 
Annotation:
This standard guide for graduate students, teachers, and scholars in the humanities and for professional writers in many fields has been extensively reorganized and revised. The new edition also contains several added sections and updated guidelines on citing electronic works - including materials found on the Web.