MLA (Modern Language Association) style is one of the most widely used formats for citing sources in academic writing. It is used in many different subjects, such as English literature, modern languages, and philosophy. MLA style refers to the standards set forth in the MLA Handbook published by the Modern Language Association that dictates guidelines for referencing sources and formatting written work. Here are some basic guidelines for typing an essay in MLA format:
Formatting the First Page of Your Essay:
Type your name, the instructor’s name, the course number, and the date on separate lines, centered above the title.
Double space between the date and title. The title should not be bold, underlined, or italicized. Only capitalize the first word of the title and subtitle (if applicable).
Double space between the title and first paragraph
Formatting Subsequent Pages:
Type your last name followed by the page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page. Page numbers should be flushed right.
Do not put anything else on these pages such as your name or the course name/number.
Formatting the Body of Your Essay:
Type the entire essay double-spaced, including quotes, notes, and the Works Cited page.
Only single space within a block quotation or reference list entry.
Set the entire document (including footnotes/endnotes) to have a one-inch margin on all sides.
Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial in a readable 12 point size.
Formatting Quotes:
For quotes under four typed lines, incorporate it within your sentence and use ” quotation marks around it. Capitalize the first letter of the quote if it’s a complete sentence or leaves the punctuation outside if it’s not.
For example: Harrison argued that “technology will revolutionize education” (345).
For quotes longer than four typed lines, indent the entire quote half an inch from the left margin and do not use quotation marks. Do not indent additional paragraphs within the quote. The citation should come after the closing punctuation.
For example:
Smith posited a theory that completely reshaped modern thinking:
Technology and innovation will exponentially accelerate over the coming decades. What was once thought impossible will become commonplace, challenging socioeconomic structures and forcing adaptation at an unprecedented pace. This transition, while difficult, promises newfrontiers for human knowledge and achievement. (156)
Formatting Parenthetical Citations:
Within your writing, cite sources by using the author’s last name and specific page number(s) in parentheses immediately after the quoted or paraphrased material. Separate multiple citations with a comma.
For example: (Smith 34, Jones 56-58, Brown 90)
Formatting Footnotes and Endnotes:
Number notes consecutively throughout in Arabic numerals. Place footnote/endnote numbers after punctuation or at the end of a quoted passage. Number notes in the order that they are referenced in the text.
Notes should be double spaced with a blank line between each and in a font that is one size smaller than the text. Indent the first line of citations one-half inch from the left margin.
Formatting the Works Cited Page:
Begin the Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of the document. Center the title Works Cited at the top without formatting.
Entries should be arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. If no author is listed use the title, and exclude “A,” “An,” or “The” from alphabetization.
Second and subsequent lines of each entry should be indented half an inch from the left margin. This is called hanging indentation.
Authors’ names are inverted (last name first followed by a comma then the first name and middle initial).
Reference entries should follow MLA styling guidelines for formatting source information like publication dates, publishers, URLs, etc.