Writing a research paper in MLA format is a common requirement for students across academic disciplines. The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides a standardized method for documenting sources in scholarly writing. This article will cover the essential elements of MLA format including the general mechanics of writing a research paper, MLA documentation style, font and spacing conventions, sample title page, sample works cited page, and useful tips on structuring an MLA paper.
The Process of Writing a Research Paper in MLA Format
Before delving into the technical aspects of formatting an MLA paper, it is helpful to understand the general process for writing a research paper. Here are the typical steps:
Choose a Topic. Select a topic that is focused enough to be covered in the required length of the paper, but not so narrow as to preclude adequate sources.
Conduct Preliminary Research. Do some initial research to understand the scope and depth of existing scholarship on your topic. Check library databases and bibliographies of relevant sources to identify potential sources to cite.
Formulate a Thesis Statement. Develop a one-sentence assertion that you will argue and prove over the course of your paper. Your thesis will serve as the focal point of your research and analysis.
Gather Sources. Find scholarly books, journal articles, and other sources that relate to your topic and focus. Sources should demonstrate expertise and credibility on your research question. Aim for a variety of source types.
Take Notes. As you research, take detailed notes on each potential source. Record identifying information like author, title, publisher, and date. Note key quotes, summaries, and ideas with page numbers for later citation.
Organize Notes. Use a method like index cards or a spreadsheet to sort important quotes, summary information, and analysis from each source. Group related ideas to identify themes or approaches.
Write a Draft. Use your organized notes to construct an outline and draft the body of your paper. Introduce sources, integrate quotes and paraphrases, and analyze how sources relate to your thesis.
Revise and Edit. Review and improve your draft, ensuring a logical flow of ideas, effective use of sources, and consistent formatting. Ask others for feedback to spot areas needing revision.
Finish Polishing. Proofread for typos, grammatical errors, citation consistency, and adherence to MLA stylistic guidelines.
Write a Title Page and Works Cited Page. Construct the title page to MLA specifications and create a works cited list with full citations for all in-text sources used.
Submit the Final Paper. Check with your instructor on preferred submission format and deadlines. Submit on time!
By following each step diligently, you will be prepared to write a clear, well-researched, and properly formatted paper using MLA style. Let’s move on to specifics of MLA formatting.
MLA Format Mechanics
The MLA provides standardized guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using MLA style in academic writing. Here are the basic mechanical guidelines for formatting your MLA research paper:
Typeface: Use a standard, readable font like Times New Roman. Font size should be 12 points.
Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of 8.5×11 inch pages.
Line Spacing: Double space all text, including titles, headers, and block quotes. Single space footnotes or endnotes if used.
Pagination: Number all pages consecutively in the upper right corner, 1/2 inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
Title Block: Include a title page with paper title, your name, instructor name, class, and date centered on separate lines near the top of the page.
Header: Insert a short title (not full paper title) in the upper right header for each page.
Order of Pages: Title page, text, works cited. Footnotes or endnotes if needed follow the main text but precede works cited.
Alignment: Left-align all text, including titles. Do not justify or use full justification.
Font Style: Use italics sparingly, only for titles of shorter works like poems and articles.
Consistently applying these MLA style guidelines will professionalize the appearance of your paper. Now let’s examine specifics of MLA citation.
MLA In-Text Citation Style
In MLA style, you include brief citations in the body of your paper that correspond to full source citations on your works cited page. These in-text, or parenthetical citations, give credit to sources and allow readers to locate full source information.
For direct quotations, include author’s last name and page number in parentheses after the quote. Ex: (Smith 25).
For paraphrasing or summarizing sources, include author’s last name in parentheses. Ex: (Johnson).
Include page number if a specific page is cited. Ex: (Miller 134).
If author’s name is used in textual lead-in, only include page number in parentheses.
When citing the same author more than once in a paragraph, only use last name and page number.
No retrieval date is needed for works accessed through web databases.
Failure to use proper in-text citations risks plagiarism. Follow these guidelines and consistently cite all sources used in your research paper.
MLA Works Cited Page
The works cited page appears at the end of the paper and provides full bibliographic information for all sources cited within the text. It allows readers to locate each source for verification or further research. Elements of the works cited list follow these guidelines:
Center the title “Works Cited” at the top without formatting (bold, italic, larger font).
Double space the entire list, with a hanging indent for each citation.
Arrange entries alphabetically based on author’s last name. If no author, file by title.
Include author’s full last and first name unless reversed.
List citations by single-author works first, then two or more authors alphabetizing by first author.
Provide complete publisher name and date for print sources; full URL for online sources.
Do not number or bullet list entries. Format block quotes or passages longer than 3 lines on separate lines.
Capitalize only the first word of entries, not all words as with titles in text.
For sources without page numbers, omit or substitute with the acronym “n. pag.”
See sample citations for formatting of books, journal articles, web pages, reports, and other common source types. Maintain accuracy and consistency on the works cited page.
Writing and Structuring the Paper Body
With formatting and citation guidelines addressed, focus now shifts to crafting the actual content of your research paper. Here are some useful tips:
Begin with an engaging, thesis-based introduction paragraph that provides context.
Organize body paragraphs conceptually with topic sentences and transitions between ideas.
Integrate sources via summaries, paraphrases, and brief quotations to support your argument. Analyze and synthesize source material, rather than letting it stand alone.
Introduce sources with signal phrases like “According to Miller…” or through textual attribution like “As Miller argues…”
Follow quotations immediately with an analytic comment that relates it to your thesis or argument.
Address counterarguments to show consideration of opposing viewpoints.
Conclude by restating your thesis while reviewing your main points and analysis. Close with a theme or takeaway.
Proofread to eliminate errors, ensure effective flow of ideas, and verify consistent in-text and full citations.
With an organized structure and evidence-based content, you are ready to write an in-depth MLA research paper that makes an impactful scholarly argument.
Sample MLA Title Page
Here is a sample MLA title page (p. 1 is omitted for title pages):
Jane Doe
Professor Smith
English 101
22 April 2023
Title of Paper
Sample MLA Works Cited Page Formatting
To wrap up, here is an example of proper formatting for an MLA works cited list:
Works Cited
Barker, Nicole and Colleen Kelly Cox. “Beyond Models: Distributed Cognition and Data Visualization in a Nutshell.” Visual Communication, vol. 15, no. 1, 2016, pp. 77-101. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1470357215615636.
Johnson, Daisy. “Making Data Accessible: An Overview of Open Data Initiatives and Practices.” Government Information Quarterly, vol. 34, no. 2, 2017, pp. 203-211. ScienceDirect, www.sciencedirect.com/journal/government-information-quarterly/vol/34/issue/2. Accessed 12 Mar. 2018.
Smith, Sophia. Learners in a Wireless World: A Guide for Educators. New York: Teachers College Press, 2003.
“Writing Center Home.” UNC Writing Center, writingcenter.unc.edu. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.
Following this comprehensive guide should equip you to write an organized, error-free research paper that properly applies MLA formatting conventions. Reach out if you have any other questions!
Andrew Stroud