The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used for research papers in liberal arts and humanities subjects such as English, foreign languages, philosophy, and religion. MLA style specifies rules for formatting manuscripts and citing sources in writing research papers and dissertations. According to MLA guidelines, research papers in MLA format typically consist of four main sections: title page, body, works cited page, and additional materials.
Title Page
The title page is the first page of a research paper in MLA format. It includes three key elements: the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the school affiliation. The title page should be numbered as page one and have a running head if required by the instructor. The title should be centered in the upper half of the page and typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. The author’s name, school affiliation, course name and number, and instructor’s name are centered below the title. No extra information such as page headers or running footers should appear on the title page.
Body
The body is the main section of a research paper in MLA format where the student’s original work and ideas are presented. The body begins on the second page since the first page of the research paper is reserved for the title page. Students should maintain 1-inch margins on all four sides of every page. The page header consists of the student’s last name and the page number flush right at the top of each page. The text is double-spaced and in 12-point Times New Roman font.
The body includes three key elements: the introduction or thesis, content blocks or body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The introduction presents the main argument or thesis of the research paper and provides background information to orient readers. This is usually one paragraph of 3-5 sentences. The bulk of the body contains multiple blocks of content in paragraph form with topic sentences and supporting evidence from sources. These blocks should analyze and discuss research related to the thesis. The conclusion restates the main argument and significance of the findings. It does not introduce new information or ideas and is usually one paragraph long.
In-text citations are included within content blocks whenever reference is made to a quote, paraphrase, summary, or idea from an outside source. These citations indicate where the information was obtained and refer readers to an entry in the works cited section. Citations appear in parentheses immediately following the referenced or quoted material and include the author’s last name and page number(s) in MLA format. For example: (Smith 12). If no author is listed, use a shortened form of the title instead.
Works Cited
The works cited page begins a new page at the end of the research paper in MLA format. Like the title page, it is numbered with the heading “Works Cited” centered at the top without formatting such as bold, italics, quotation marks or underlining. References are double-spaced and listed alphabetically by author’s last name or title if no author is given. Source entries must include as much bibliographic information as possible, such as author, title, publisher, date of publication, URL or database name for online sources. The second and subsequent lines of source citations are indented half an inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing.
Additional Materials
Additional sections such as appendices and acknowledgments may be included after the main body and works cited page of a research paper if needed. These supplementary materials provide clarification or background information that enhances understanding of the research topic without interrupting the flow of the paper itself. Their inclusion is optional.
Research papers written in MLA style contain four main sections to properly format sources and content: a title page, body paragraphs with thesis and evidence, in-text citations, and an alphabetized works cited page for all references used in the paper. Students can reference the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook or consult their instructor’s guidelines for specific formatting rules on page layout, headings, citations, and references when writing MLA style papers in the liberal arts and humanities disciplines. Careful formatting demonstrates the student’s attention to detail and helps readers easily follow the logical flow and quality of research presented in the paper.