How do you refer to someone in a formal essay?

Question

I'm writing a formal essay on a book. The book is about a real person, but they are referred to by their first name throughout the entire book. When writing the essay, do I stay consistent with the book and refer to the person by their first name, or go the formal essay route and call them by their last name?

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Oct 30 '23 at 11:23

2

According to the MLA website, you should give the person's full name and then refer to them by their last name thereafter.

edited Oct 30 '23 at 11:23

Laurel

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answered Jul 18 '20 at 20:05

rolfedh

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How do you refer to someone in a formal essay?

1 Answers1