MLA Format for Research Papers in 2018
The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides guidelines for formatting research papers and source citations in MLA style. This standardized format makes it easier for readers to navigate a research paper and find relevant sources. Research papers written for high school or college courses are often required to be in MLA format. These guidelines continue to evolve to meet the needs of academic institutions, instructors and students. Here are some key elements of MLA format for research papers in the current year, 2018:
Overall Document Formatting
The overall layout of a research paper in MLA style is as follows:
1 inch margins on all sides of the 8.5×11 inch paper
Double spaced lines throughout the document, no extra spaces between paragraphs
12 point font, such as Times New Roman is standard
Page numbers in the upper right corner 0.5 inches from the top and 1 inch from the right edge of the page
Student’s name, instructor name, course name and date on separate lines in the upper left corner of the first page. Subsequent pages include only the student’s last name and page number.
MLA Papers Must Include a Title Page
A title page is required for all MLA research papers, even when not specifically requested by an instructor. The title page should include only the following elements:
Title of the paper, centered in the upper half of the page
Student name
Class name (or other designation)
Instructor name
Date
No additional information like a running header or page number belongs on the title page. The title should be concise yet fully descriptive of the research topic covered.
Block Quotes and Formatting Long Quotes
Quotes longer than four lines in a research paper should be formatted as a block quote. Introduce the quote with a signal phrase including the author’s last name followed by a comma. Indent the entire quote 1⁄2 inch (or five spaces) from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks. Maintain double spacing. Example:
According to historian John Smith,
The impact of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic was truly devastating:
Entire cities were quarantined as millions suffered from influenza symptoms. Public gatherings like concerts and sporting events were banned in an attempt to slow transmission. Even with such measures, the disease spread rapidly, overwhelming hospitals and morgues. An estimated 20-40 million people died worldwide from the Spanish Flu in just two years. (Smith 234)
In-Text Citations and Works Cited Page
MLA style uses parenthetical citation to briefly identify source material in the body of the paper and apparent works cited page to compile full bibliographic entries of all sources used. The Works Cited page begins on a new page at the end and uses a hanging indent for each source.
For parenthetical citations, include the last name of the author followed by a space then the relevant page number(s). No punctuation separates the name and number. At the end of direct quotes include only the page number in parentheses.
According to Jones (15), early settlers faced many hardship. Or as stated by Smith, “Life was difficult with little food or shelter” (45).
The Works Cited page alphabetically lists all sources consulted for the research paper, even if not directly quoted. Entries must provide the author, title, publisher and date of publication for books, and also the URL for online sources.
Electronic Sources and Copyright Concerns
Since technology has greatly impacted research and publishing, MLA guidelines provide clear rules on properly citing digital sources and content protected by copyrights.
When citing online resources, if no author is listed use the title of the page or site in place of the author’s name in the citation. If published on a specific date provide that date. If no date is listed use n.d.
Social media content like status updates or tweets are generally not considered scholarly sources. Be cautious about copying significant portions of directly copyrighted material without permission. Hyperlink to quoted content whenever possible rather than directly copying large excerpts. All images require captions when reproduced.
MLA Handbook Revisions and Summary
The 8th edition of the MLA Handbook and companion MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing were released in early 2016. Some changes included simplified guidelines for citing works published after 1500, clearer documentation for unusual source types like Instagram posts, and guidance on compiling a works cited list from multiple researchers. Overall, the core elements of in-text citations, title pages and formatted block quotations have remained consistent for MLA research papers written in 2018. Carefully following standard guidelines helps academic writers showcase their research effectively and avoid plagiarism concerns.
MLA format establishes uniform standards for researching and formatting college level papers in the humanities and liberal arts fields. Components include one inch margins throughout, double spaced lines, twelve point Times New Roman font, page numbers in the top right header, and a works cited listing complete sources. Header information, indented block quotes, parenthetical in-text citations and hanging indented bibliographic entries on the works cited page allow readers easy access to referenced sources. Formatting research papers according to MLA guidelines provides consistency for students and readers across a wide range of academic fields.
Andrew Stroud