The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is one of the major formatting styles used in academic writing, especially in liberal arts and humanities subjects. When writing a typed essay in MLA format, there are specific guidelines for formatting the content, including: layout and margins, spacing, citations and Works Cited, and title page conventions. Properly following MLA guidelines contributes to a professional, polished appearance for student papers and research projects.
Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of MLA formatting is setting consistent margins and font choices. Essays should be typed on standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper. The entire document should be double-spaced, including the title block, body text, headings, block quotes, and Works Cited page. This provides ample white space for reader ease. Use a legible, standard serif or sans serif font like Times New Roman or Calibri in 12pt size. Set all margins to 1″ on all sides of the paper. This creates a clean, formatted look without cramming content too close to the edges of the page.
For the title block, the title of the essay should be centered and the identifying information placed roughly 1/3 of the way down the first page. Identify information includes the author’s name, the instructor’s name, the class title/number, and the assignment due date – all on separate, double-spaced lines in the left margin. The title should not be bolded, underlined, or formatted with special characters like quotation marks. It should communicate the main topic and focus of the paper clearly and concisely.
The body text of an MLA essay follows basic formatting guidelines. Sections like the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion should be left-aligned. First level subheadings should use a centered, italicized title on a separate double-spaced line from the body text below. Second level subheadings, if included, would use a left-aligned, italicized title on the same line as the beginning of the paragraph. Shorter sections or individual thoughts may stand alone as their own double-spaced paragraph, indented 0.5″ from the left margin under the main text.
When including direct or indirect sources as part of the research, MLA requires in-text citations and a Works Cited list. Parenthetical citations immediately follow any quote or paraphrased content and include the author’s last name and page number(s). For example: (Smith 24). The Works Cited should begin on a separate page at the end with the centered title “Works Cited,” without formatting such as bold or italics. Sources are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name with one-inch hanging indents and a consistent method for citations. Web sources include author name, article or page title in quotation marks, name of website in italics, publication date, and URL or link ending with date of access.
For multi-page works, MLA style dictates including the author’s last name followed by a space and two-digit page number—without commas or other punctuation except for spans, e.g. “Smith 26-27.” If no author is given, use a shortened title in quotes instead: (“Article Title” 26). For electronic sources with numbered paragraphs instead of pages, use the appropriate abbreviation: par. for a single paragraph, pars. for multiple. Direct quotes longer than four lines are formatted as a freestanding block quote and indented 0.5″ from the left margin while maintaining double line spacing. Italicize any titles within a quote that are normally italicized.
Editing and proofreading are key parts of any scholarly submission. Check the MLA typed essay for consistent structure, spelling and grammar errors, and adherence to all formatting rules. Use automatic word processing features like the spelling and grammar checker and ruler/margins functions to easily identify potential issues. Ask a classmate or writing tutor to review and provide feedback on content quality and organization. Make any necessary amendments and confirm once more that formatting elements are applied uniformly throughout the essay before final submission. Properly following MLA style conveys respect for the instructor, subject matter, and the institution.