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Summary: MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most
commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the
liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to
reflect the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th
ed.) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly
Publishing (2nd ed.), offers examples for the general format
of MLA research papers, in-text citations,
endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page. |
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General Format
MLA style specifies
guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using the English language
in writing. MLA style also provides writers with a system for
referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their
essays and Works Cited pages.
Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by
demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most
importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from
accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental
uncredited use of source material by other writers.
If you are asked to use MLA format, be sure to consult the MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th edition). Publishing
scholars and graduate students should also consult the MLA Style
Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd edition). The MLA
Handbook is available in most writing labs and reference libraries;
it is also widely available in bookstores, libraries, and at the MLA
web site. See the Additional Resources section of this handout for a
list of helpful books and sites about using MLA style.
Paper Format
The preparation of papers and manuscripts in MLA style is covered in
chapter four of the MLA Handbook, and chapter four of the MLA Style
Manual. Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in
MLA style.
General Guidelines
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Type your paper on a
computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch
paper, Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible
font like Times New Roman or Courier.
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Leave only one space
after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise
instructed by your instructor).
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Set the margins of your
document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of a
paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the
left margin.
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Create a header that
numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner,
one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
(Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your
first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
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Use either italics or
underlining throughout your essay for the titles of longer works
and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.
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If you have any
endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works
Cited page.
Formatting the First Page of Your Paper
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Do not make a title
page for your paper unless specifically requested.
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In the upper left-hand
corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's
name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use
double-spaced text.
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Double space again and
center the title. Don't underline your title or put it in
quotation marks; write the title in Title Case, not in all
capital letters.
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Use quotation marks and
underlining or italics when referring to other works in your
title, just as you would in your text, e.g.,
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Double space between
the title and the first line of the text.
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Create a header in the
upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed
by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively
with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the
top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or
other readers may ask that you omit last name/page number header
on your first page. Always follow their guidelines.)
Here is a sample first page
of an essay in MLA style:
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MLA
Formatting and Style Guide -
General Format
