Formatting a research paper in MLA style can feel like a daunting task. Following the basic MLA guidelines can help you properly set up your paper and ensure you cite your sources correctly. This guide will walk you through the basic formatting requirements and provide examples of how to cite different sources in MLA style.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides specific instructions for formatting papers and works cited lists in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. The MLA style establishes clear guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in any scholarly field. Adhering to MLA style ensures readability and accuracy when referring to research sources.
Setting Up the Basics
When setting up your MLA paper, pay careful attention to basic formatting elements like font, spacing, margins, page numbers and headers/titles.
Font – Use a standard, readable font like Times New Roman. Use 12 point size.
Spacing – Double space the entire research paper, including quotations and the list of works cited.
Margins – Set 1 inch margins on all sides of the 8 1/2 x 11 inch document.
Title Page – Omit the title page if your instructor does not request one. Otherwise, a title page should include the title of the paper, your name, the name of the course, the instructor’s name, and the date, centered on separate lines.
Page Numbers – Number all pages consecutively in the upper right corner, 1/2 inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). Omit the page number on the first page.
Headers – Do not use headers or page numbers on the title page if one is used. Maintain double spacing throughout.
Setting Up In-Text Citations
Any source included in your paper must be cited in the text. These brief in-text citations point the reader to full source citations listed on the works cited page. The basic format is:
(Author Last Name Page Number).
For example:
As Smith argues, “Recent studies indicate a growing interest in sustainability” (12).
For sources with two authors, cite both last names in the in-text citation:
As reported by Johnson and Wilson (28), most participants saw significant effects.
And for sources with three or more authors, cite only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”:
Recent research has yielded new results (Berger et al. 45).
Citing Indirect Sources
Sometimes you may need to cite an indirect or secondary source – a source cited within another source. For these citations, use “qtd. in” to indicate the source was directly quoted. For example:
As Einstein allegedly said, “Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking” (qtd. in Smith 12).
Or if you are paraphrasing an idea from an indirect source:
Williams posits that imagination is more important than knowledge (qtd. in Davis 45).
Formatting the Works Cited Page
At the end of the paper, include a Works Cited page for all sources cited in-text. List sources alphabetically by author’s last name or, if no author is listed, by title. Double space the entire list. Use a hanging indent for additional lines of a single source. Some basic MLA formatting examples:
Book
Author(s) Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year Published.
Article in a Journal
Author(s) Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol, no, year, pages.
Website
Author(s) (if given). “Title of Web Page or Article.” Name of Website, Publisher (if available), Date of Publication, URL. Date Accessed.
Formatting Paper Sources Consistently
Following consistent formatting is key for creating properly cited papers. Review all quoted and paraphrased material to verify in-text citations match the Works Cited page entries. Maintain formatting guidelines on font, spacing, page numbers and source citations throughout the paper. Properly citing sources using MLA style shows academic integrity and allows readers to easily follow up on your references. Adhering to MLA guidelines is an important skill for any academic or research-based paper.