Many literature papers rely wholly on primary sources—the literary work or works under discussion. You document such papers with MLA in-text citations as explained in L5-f. If a list of works cited is required, it will consist of the literary work or works (see L6-a).

In addition to relying on primary sources, some literature papers draw on secondary sources: essays of literary criticism, a biography or autobiography of the author, or histories of the era in which the work was written. When you use secondary sources, you must document them with MLA in-text citations and a list of works cited as explained in L6-a. (For an example of a paper that uses secondary sources, see the second sample essay in L7.)

Keep in mind that even when you use secondary sources, your main goal should be to develop and communicate your own understanding and interpretation of the literary work.