The Purdue Online Writing Lab (Purdue OWL) is an excellent resource for students and researchers to find sample papers formatted using the MLA (Modern Language Association) style. The Purdue OWL provides general MLA guidelines on their website as well as specific sample papers that can assist those new to MLA formatting or conducting academic research.
The Purdue OWL offers sample MLA papers in a variety of source types and subject areas. Some of the different types of MLA sample papers on their site include:
MLA sample student paper: This is a good general example paper to follow for most introductory research assignments. It shows the basic MLA formatting guidelines for things like font, margins, headers, pagination, spacing, and more.
MLA sample literature paper: This paper is specifically formatted for analyzing and discussing works of literature. It demonstrates how to properly cite and reference literary quotes and discussions of specific authors’ works and ideas within the text.
MLA sample film paper: Film analysis assignments require some unique formatting aspects when analyzing visual elements. This paper example shows how to discuss and cite directorial techniques, scenes, actors’ performances, and more within a film-focused research essay.
MLA sample research paper on economics: Students in fields beyond English literature also need to know MLA. This example shows how to adapt MLA for economics topics analyzing statistical data, theories, and historical information on an economic issue.
MLA sample annotated bibliography: An essential precursor to research writing is compiling reliable sources. This sample demonstrates the proper formatting of citations for a variety of source types within an annotated bibliography.
MLA sample ASL paper: Papers discussing sign languages also use MLA guidelines. This example illustrates citing sources about American Sign Language topics like linguistics, culture, education approaches, interpreters, and the deaf community.
MLA sample psychology paper: When analyzing empirical studies, surveys, or psychological theories, MLA is the preferred citation format within the social sciences as seen in this example research paper.
MLA sample science paper: Even papers involving scientific experiments, medical discoveries, or environmental studies follow MLA when presenting their research findings and conclusions for a general audience.
In addition to full sample papers, the Purdue OWL also provides individual pages focusing on specific elements of MLA formatting that students frequently need assistance with, such as:
How to format the MLA title page with identifying information, paper title, your name, instructor name, course name, and date in the required layout.
How to properly cite different MLA source types within the body of the paper using parenthetical in-text citations for books, articles, web pages, emails, interviews, lectures, TV or radio broadcasts, tweets, films, artwork, images, online videos, databases, e-books, legal and government documents, and more.
How to format block quotes and incorporate quoted material directly into sentences and paragraphs while still attributing the source and including required punctuation.
How to create a Works Cited page at the end of the paper with a alphabetical listing hanging indentation of all cited sources following MLA bibliographic guidelines for numerous types of resources.
Guidelines for formatting footnotes or endnotes if they are required for a particular research assignment rather than parenthetical citations.
Advice on submitting papers electronically in Microsoft Word or Google Docs formats that retain the proper formatting when opened by professors.
The sample papers and individual reference pages allow students to clearly see how to apply the general MLA guidelines they may have learned for in-text citations and format elements. Having real-world examples of MLA formatting applied in complete papers across disciplines helps students better grasp the style requirements. The Purdue OWL is an excellent starting point for any student beginning to undertake research projects and write academic papers for the first time.
Some key strengths of the Purdue OWL MLA sample papers include:
They demonstrate how to properly structure and format standard sections like the title page, headings, body paragraphs, block quotes, tables or figures, Works Cited page, etc. based on MLA specifications.
The papers include properly cited in-text references for any outside sources integrated within the writing. Students learn how to smoothly incorporate quotations, paraphrases, and summaries while giving credit.
They cover a wide range of source types including books, articles, websites, scholarly databases, interviews, legal documents, films, images, and more – not just one format like a typical English class paper.
The citation examples follow all details of MLA style rules precisely like capitalization, punctuation, author names, page numbers, URL structure, etc. so there are no questions about how anything should appear.
Individual pages focus on difficult aspects of MLA like parenthetical citations or formatting issues to help students who struggle with those concepts.
Subject areas span core academic disciplines, not strictly English, showing MLA remains the standard in many science and social science fields too.
Instructors across institutions accept Purdue OWL as an authority on MLA to ensure students submit universally accurate formatting that will not require revisions.
They provide consistent, up-to-date examples that will always be readily available online for free without expiration even if style rules are updated over time.
There are some limitations students should be aware of regarding the Purdue OWL MLA sample papers as well:
While comprehensive, the examples are not exhaustive, so more specialized topics may require additional MLA research beyond these samples.
Professors may have subject-specific or instructor-specific assignment guidelines that supersede some aspects of the Purdue OWL recommendations. So students should always check assignment prompts too.
They demonstrate MLA at a basic level appropriate for introductory college writing. More advanced papers may require expanded knowledge of advanced MLA elements not covered.
Since every paper type involves elements of author preference, there remain stylistic choices like headings, subheadings, or internal document links that samples do not dictate absolutely.
Overall, the Purdue OWL provides an invaluable starting point for students learning MLA style or those double checking their formatting matches the standard. Their extensive sample reference papers offer a huge benefit to writers navigating MLA requirements for the first time across many disciplines. As long as students remember Purdue OWL examples may require supplementation but not substitution of assignment details, having authoritative sample models greatly eases the research and composition process.
Andrew Stroud