The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides specific guidelines for formatting research papers and using sources. Using the MLA style format for a research paper template helps students write papers consistently and professionally. The MLA handbook provides standards for formatting papers. Here are the basic guidelines for formatting an MLA style paper and its sources:
Paper Format and Page Layout
The paper should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5×11 inches) with 1-inch margins on all sides. Include a header with your last name and page number on the right side of each page and a shortened title flush with the left margin. Times New Roman is the recommended font throughout the paper.
Title Page
The title page should include the title (centered), student’s name, instructor’s name, class name, and date in the upper left corner. The title should not be bolded, underlined, or in quotation marks.
Headings and Subheadings
Headings provide organization to longer research papers and help guide the reader. First-level headings are centered with bold font. Second-level headings are flush left with italics. No bold or italics are used in third-level headings.
Body of Paper
The text is double-spaced throughout with 1-inch margins. Include page numbers in the top right header. Indent the first line of each new paragraph half an inch from the left margin. Quotes between four typed lines are formatted as block quotes by indenting the entire quote 1⁄2 inch from the left margin. Shorter quotes are incorporated into the text and enclosed in quotation marks.
Parenthetical Citations
MLA parenthetical citations identify sources used in research papers whenever a quote or paraphrase is incorporated. Citations list the author’s last name and page number(s) in parentheses after the sentence that references the source material. Page numbers are not needed when citing the entire source or web pages.
Works Cited Page
List sources alphabetically by author’s last name. DOIs, URLs, and access dates are required for online sources. The list starts on a new page titled Works Cited and continues double-spaced in the same font format as the rest of the paper. Entries consist of the author’s name, source title, publication details, medium of publication, and date accessed for online sources.
Book Citation
Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.
One Author:
Smith, John. The History of Writing. Oxford University Press, 2010.
Two Authors:
Smith, John and Jane Doe. Essays on Literature. Harvard University Press, 2005.
Three or More Authors:
Doe, Jane et al. Studies in Psychology. Yale University Press, 2000.
Chapter Citation
Author Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title.” Title of Book, edited by Editor’s Name(s), Publisher, Publication Date, page range.
Johnson, Lydia. “MLA Formatting in the 21st Century.” The Handbook of Style, edited by John Doe and Jane Smith, Yale University Press, 2015, pp. 234-245.
Journal Article Citation
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Publication Date, page range.
Wilson, Sarah. “Principles of Scientific Writing.” Science Journal, vol. 34, no. 2, Winter 2020, pp. 12-25.
Website Citation
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Website Title/Publisher, Publication Date, URL or DOI. Date Accessed.
Smith, Adam. “Writing Research Papers for College Courses.” Online Tutorials, 10 Jan. 2020, writing.com/research. doi:12.345/write. Accessed 12 Feb. 2020.
Some key aspects of the MLA format research paper template include the consistent font, margins, spacing between paragraphs, inclusion of page numbers and citations within the text to match Works Cited entries. Using a format guides readers through papers logically while remaining consistent across sources. Proper MLA format ensures academic integrity and builds credibility with instructors when presenting research findings and conclusions.
Following template guidelines thoroughly ensures papers meet official MLA standards. Students can adapt this research paper format to write consistently formatted assignments for various college courses requiring MLA style. Knowing key rules helps streamline the writing and editing process. Whether citing books, journal articles, websites or other sources, proper formatting ensures high marks from instructors. The MLA research paper format provides a template for organizing, citing and presenting student work in a professional academic style.