The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used for research papers in humanities disciplines such as English, foreign languages, literature, cultural studies, and art history. This MLA style guide provides examples of proper formatting for college research papers using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style.
MLA Format Background
The Modern Language Association developed MLA as a set of guidelines to ensure standardized citation formats and manuscript features. MLA style aims to promote clarity, brevity, and consistency in scholarly research. Some key aspects of MLA format include:
Font: Times New Roman, 12 point
Double spacing throughout
One-inch margins on all sides
Last name and page number in upper right corner of each page (pagination)
Hanging indent for citations
Alphabetical works cited page at end
MLA Sample Title Page
The title page of an MLA paper contains three key elements: the title of the paper, your name, and institutional affiliation. Here is a sample MLA title page:
Jones 1
David Jones
Professor Smith
ENGL 101
10 December 2022
Title of the Paper
MLA Sample Essay Format and Structure
An MLA sample paper follows standard essay formatting guidelines:
Introduction – Introduce the topic, thesis, and scope of the paper. A thesis statement is not required for shorter papers.
Body Paragraph 1 – Topic sentence introducing the first main point and related evidence, analysis, quotes, etc. to support the thesis.
Body Paragraph 2 – Topic sentence for the second main point, related evidence, analysis, etc.
Body Paragraph 3 – Topic sentence for the third main point, related evidence, analysis, etc.
Conclusion – Restate thesis and summarize main points without introducing new information.
Paragraph structure follows the basic five-paragraph model commonly taught for shorter essays. Each body paragraph leads with a topic sentence and provides analysis and evidence to support the overall thesis or main argument. Direct quotes should be limited to no more than 10% of the paper and always incorporated with analysis.
MLA In-Text Citations
MLA uses parenthetical in-text citations to briefly identify the sources of direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Here are some examples of proper MLA in-text citations:
Paraphrase: Researchers have found certain species are vulnerable to climate change (Smith 12).
Quote: As Smith observes, “Those most impacted face disproportionate burdens” (12).
Long quote:
Jones observes how “environmental justice recognizes that certain communities face unequal impacts:
Those living in poverty experience more pollution and bear greater health burdens due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of political power to influence policy decisions affecting their well-being” (145).
For sources with two authors, cite both last names: (Johnson and Smith 45). For sources with three or more authors, cite only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”: (Roberts et al. 23).
MLA Works Cited Page
The MLA Works Cited page appears at the end of the paper and provides complete publication details for all sources cited in the text. Entries are organized alphabetically by author’s last name or title if no author is listed. Here are examples of proper citations formats:
Jones, David. Climate Change and Society. Penguin, 2020.
Roberts, Susan E., et al. “Environmental Inequality in America: Race, Class, and Exposure to Pollution.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 16, 2022, pp. 8945-8962.
Smith, John. “The Disproportionate Impacts of Climate Change.” Science, vol. 345, no. 6202, Oct. 2014, pp. 12-15.