The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is an excellent online resource for students and researchers to find examples and guidance for writing research papers in MLA style. The OWL provides general overviews, checklists, and samples for writing research papers in MLA format. One of the most useful resources on the OWL is the sample MLA papers. These sample papers are exemplary models that demonstrate proper MLA formatting and citation styles for student research papers. Let’s explore some key elements and features of the MLA sample papers from the Purdue OWL to better understand how to format and structure an MLA paper.
The Purdue OWL provides three sample MLA papers that demonstrate three common types of academic papers – an English literature paper, a history paper, and a science paper. Each sample follows the proper structure of an MLA paper, including properly formatted title pages, headers, page numbers, citations, and works cited pages. All three papers follow the same general format that includes five main sections: title page, introduction, body, works cited, and appendices (if necessary). Within these overarching sections, each paper also includes correctly formatted subtitles, citations, block quotes, and other formatting guidelines according to MLA style.
The English literature sample paper primarily focuses on analyzing the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. It analyzes poetic devices and themes within the poem. The introduction provides context about the poem and sets up the argument or thesis. The body paragraphs have topic sentences that directly state the point to be made and include quotes from the poem as textual evidence. These quotes are properly introduced, formatted, and cited. The conclusion restates the thesis by synthesizing the analysis presented in the body paragraphs. The works cited page is correctly formatted with the necessary bibliographic information for the Frost poem and any secondary sources referenced.
The history sample paper examines Jacksonian Democracy from the early 19th century. It argues how the development of political parties and elected officials began to shape the U.S. government during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. In-text citations are properly integrated and formatted to attribute information and ideas from primary historical documents. The paper also references secondary sources to provide context and support for points made. Headings are used to further organize the flow and structure of information presented. Like the English literature sample, this paper follows the standard MLA formatting guidelines, allowing the reader to easily understand how to format common paper elements such as headings, block quotes, citations, and reference pages.
The science sample paper focuses on studying Parkinson’s disease and examines both its biology and treatment options. It includes an abstract to concisely introduce the topic and purpose. Visual materials like figures and tables are properly referenced within the text and included at the end. Information from multiple scholarly sources is synthesized and cited according to MLA standards. This sample illustrates how to structure a scientific paper and adhere to proper MLA formating, which is essential for papers on scientific, medical, and technical topics.
These three Purdue OWL MLA sample papers are excellent models for high school and college students to reference when learning to write research papers. They demonstrate the consistent and proper application of key MLA formatting guidelines including:
Setting uniform margins, font style and size requirements
Double spacing throughout, including in block quotes
Providing a title page with correct header formatting
Using a header in the top right corner of every page that includes the last name and page number
Indenting the first line of each paragraph
Including an introduction paragraph that establishes the topic and thesis or argument
Including topic sentences that introduce and structure each body paragraph
Providing textual evidence from sources through MLA-formatted block quotes and summaries
Properly citing both in-text sources and reference page sources
Formatting footnotes or endnotes when applicable
Concluding with a restatement of the initial thesis
Including a formatted works cited page at the very end of the paper
By examining these sample MLA papers closely, students learn how academic research is presented in their specific field or discipline. The sample papers allow students to see what a fully-formatted MLA paper looks like from title to works cited list. Students gain an understanding of how citations, formatting, and structure come together in a unified MLA research paper. With the OWL MLA samples as a template, students are better equipped to properly format their own papers according to MLA guidelines from the initial title page through to the final reference list. These model papers remain an invaluable resource for students at all levels who are learning to craft impressive academic papers following MLA style.