Which type of documentation style is most often used in the humanities or liberal arts?

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is primarily used in the humanities and liberal arts fields because it emphasizes the author's contributions and engages closely with textual analysis. This style is particularly favored for its clear guidelines regarding the citation of literary works, philosophy, cultural studies, and other humanities-related topics. MLA style focuses on the use of parenthetical citations alongside a Works Cited page, making it user-friendly for students and scholars who often reference a variety of sources in their writing.

This emphasis on the author and their ideas aligns well with the goals of liberal arts education, which often revolves around critical thinking and interpretation of texts. Additionally, the MLA Handbook provides rules for formatting that further supports the clarity and accessibility of academic writing in these fields.