To write a paper in MLA format, follow these key guidelines:
General Formatting
- Use standard white 8½ x 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins on all sides
- Choose an easily readable font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica in 12-point size (11-13 pt is acceptable)
- Double-space the entire paper, including quotations and the Works Cited page
- Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch (use the Tab key)
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks unless instructed otherwise
Header and Pagination
- Create a header in the upper right corner of each page, half an inch from the top and one inch from the right margin
- The header includes your last name followed by a space and the page number (e.g., Smith 1)
- No separate title page is required unless specified by your instructor
First Page Heading
- At the top left of the first page, include the following information, double-spaced:
- Your full name
- Your instructor’s name
- Course name and number
- Date of submission (use consistent date format)
- After this heading, center the title of your paper on a new line. Do not underline, italicize, or place the title in quotation marks. Capitalize major words
Paragraphs and Quotations
- Indent the first word of each paragraph half an inch
- For block quotations (quotes longer than four lines), indent the entire quote one half inch from the left margin and maintain double spacing without quotation marks
Numbers and Lists
- Spell out numbers that can be written in one or two words (e.g., "twenty," "two-thirds"); use numerals for others (e.g., 101, 2 ½)
- Use Arabic numerals for section numbers if dividing the paper into sections
- Use Roman numerals, capital and lowercase letters, and numbers if creating an outline per instructor’s request
Works Cited Page
- Title the page "Works Cited," centered at the top of a new page.
- Double-space all entries with a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented half an inch).
- List entries alphabetically by the author's last name
These guidelines reflect the MLA Handbook's 9th edition standards and are widely accepted for academic writing in literature and language studies
. This summary provides the essential MLA format rules to properly structure your paper. For detailed citation rules and examples, consult the MLA Handbook or trusted online resources.
