The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is one of the most widely used formats for researching and writing papers across various academic disciplines. Developing a research paper in MLA style requires adhering to specific guidelines regarding formatting, citation, and in-text references. This comprehensive guide will highlight key rules and best practices for formatting an MLA research paper from start to finish.

General Formatting Guidelines

Use white 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.

Set 1-inch margins on all sides.

Double space all text throughout the paper, including titles, headings, etc. Do not space and a half or single space.

Use a clear font that is legible at 12-point size. Common fonts for MLA papers include Times New Roman, Arial, and Helvetica.

Number all pages consecutively throughout the paper in the upper right-hand corner, half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Do not put your name or other identifying information on the page numbers.

Place your name, instructor name, course name, and date on separate lines in the upper left corner of the first page. Do not include titles like “Mr.” or “Prof.” before the name.

Insert a running head on the top of every page that is a shortened version (usually the title) of the paper. The running head should be flush with the left margin and no more than 50 characters, including spacing.

Indent all paragraphs one half inch from the left margin in the body text. Do not add extra space between paragraphs unless instructed by your instructor.

Double space between all elements such as the title, student/instructor information, headings, and body text.

Paper Sections and Ordering

The main sections of a research paper in MLA style are:

Title Page

Body

Works Cited Page

The title page, body, and works cited should appear in that specific order. The title page is page one but do not number it. Pages in the body and works cited list should be numbered consecutively starting with page two.

The Body Section

Introduce your paper topic or thesis statement in the first paragraph of the first page or on the first page in the body.

Organize your ideas into coherent paragraphs that align with your focus or thesis. Each new thought should begin a new paragraph.

When referring to an outside source in a body paragraph, you need an in-text citation immediately following the quote, idea, paraphrase, etc. It is formatted with the author’s last name and page number in parentheses. For quotes longer than four lines, indent the entire quotation one inch from the left margin and do not use quotation marks.

All quotes from sources must have reference page entries, cited in-text, and quotation marks or block formatting as appropriate. Be sure you are not plagiarizing by properly attributing sources in both locations.

When referring to a source for the first time in the body paragraph, include the author’s name as part of the introductory phrases. Subsequent mentions can then be just the last name and page number in parentheses.

The author’s name may be included in a signal phrase referring to the full source or it can be placed in parentheses following the relevant text, both accompanied by the page number. Be consistent in one style within your paper.

End the body with a conclusion paragraph that re-emphasizes your thesis and wraps up your overall thoughts on the topic. This section should not just summarize but add analysis.

Formatting Headings

Use level one headings (

) for the main title in ALL CAPS and centered on the page.

Use level two headings (

) for subheadings in title case (first letter of each word capitalized) and left-aligned and bold or italics.

Number headings in the order they appear in the paper, such as 1., 2., 3. etc. Heading levels should be clear and consistent.

No additional spacing is needed between the last paragraph in the body and the Works Cited page heading. Start the reference list on a new page if it does not all fit on the last page of body text though.

Formatting the Works Cited Page

The words “Works Cited” should be in title case, centered, and not bold or underlined as it is the title of this concluding section.

List all citations alphabetically by author’s last name. If there is no author, alphabetize by the first word in the title excluding A, An, or The.

The reference page has a header with your last name and page number, starting with page two, flush right. Otherwise it is formatted like the body pages.

All references should use hang-indent formatting, meaning the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin and any additional lines are indented half an inch. This makes the sources easy to scan visually.

Entries should use the same consistent double spacing as the rest of the paper.

Cite and format sources properly based on whether they are books, journal articles, videos, web pages, etc. according to MLA style guidelines.

Be sure to match citations in the text to their full reference page counterpart. This is key for avoiding plagiarism and ensuring references are properly attributed.

The reference page should be the final element of a completed MLA style paper.

By following MLA formatting guidelines for layout, structure, citations, and reference lists, you can properly present your research and ideas in an organized, standardized way. Paying attention to style and mechanics is an important part of crafting an engaging, credible academic paper that your instructor will appreciate. Let me know if you have any other questions!