MLA Format Guidelines - Everything You Need to Know

Many students find it challenging to correctly format their papers in MLA style, especially when dealing with citations and layout.

Mistakes in MLA formatting can lead to lower grades, credibility issues, and even unintentional plagiarism, causing frustration and wasted time.

This guide simplifies MLA format with clear rules and examples, helping you format your paper accurately. 

So, keep reading to learn MLA formatting.

What is MLA Format?

MLA format, developed by the Modern Language Association, is a standardized citation style commonly used for writing and documenting sources in academic papers. 

It is widely adopted by students and scholars in the humanities, particularly in fields like literature, language arts, and cultural studies. 

General MLA Formatting Guidelines

When writing in MLA format, it's important to follow these basic guidelines to ensure your paper is properly structured:

• Font: Use Times New Roman in a 12-point size for clear readability.
• Spacing: Double-space the entire paper, including the header, title, and works cited page.
• Margins: Set 1 inch from the left margin, 1 inch from the top and right side of the document.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches, typically done by pressing the "Tab" key.
• Running Head: MLA format does not typically require a separate running head. Instead, the student's last name and page number are used in the header of each page.
• Page Numbers: The page number should appear in the upper right corner of every page, including the first page. It should include your last name followed by the page number, separated by a space (e.g., Smith 1). This can be set by going to the "Insert" option in your word processor, selecting "Header," and aligning the text to the right.

Formatting Your Paper in MLA Format

When citing a research paper in MLA format, it’s essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure your document is properly structured:

MLA Heading and Title Format

The MLA format doesn’t include a separate title page. On the first page of your MLA paper, the heading should be placed in the upper left corner and include the following information in this order:

• Your name
• Your instructor’s name
• Course title
• Date (formatted as Day Month Year, e.g., 7 October 2024)

Below the heading, the title of your paper should be centered on the next line. It must be in the same font and size as the rest of the text, without any bold, underline, or italics. There should be no extra spaces between the title and the first paragraph of your paper.

Formatting Different Level Headings in MLA

MLA allows the use of different levels of headings to organize your paper. Here are the general guidelines for formatting each level:

• Level 1 (Main Headings): Centered, in Title Case, without bold or italics (e.g., Introduction).

• Level 2 (Subheadings): Left-aligned, in Title Case, without bold or italics.

• Level 3 (Sub-subheadings): Indented, in Title Case, ending with a period. The text follows immediately after the heading on the same line.

Headings in MLA format are not numbered, and using them effectively can help organize longer papers or essays with multiple sections.

How to Do In-Text Citations in MLA Format

MLA format in-text citations provide a way to credit the sources of information used in your writing. Here are the basic rules:

• Basic Format: Include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: (Smith 23).

• No Author: If a source has no identifiable author, use the title of the work in place of the author’s name. For example: (“Impact of Climate Change” 45).

• Multiple Authors: For a work by two authors, include both last names in the citation, separated by "and."
  For example: (Smith and Jones 15). If there are three or more authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." For example: (Smith et al. 42).

• Multiple Works by the Same Author: If you cite more than one work by the same author, include a shortened title of the work in the citation to distinguish between them. For example: (Smith, Title of Work 78).

How to Format a Works Cited Page in MLA

Creating a Works Cited page in MLA format is essential for properly attributing the sources used in your research paper. Here are the rules for adding MLA format references:

• Alphabetical Order: List all entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, use the title of the work instead.

• Hanging Indent: Each entry should feature a hanging indent. This means the first line of each citation is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.

• Spacing: The entire Works Cited page should be double-spaced, consistent with the rest of your paper. Avoid adding extra space between entries.

• Alignment: Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of the page, ensuring all entries are left-aligned beneath it.
  

• Header Format: Include your last name and the page number in the header, just as you would on the other pages of your paper. This helps to maintain a professional appearance throughout your work.

How To Cite Sources in MLA Format

Here’s how to format different types of sources in MLA format:

• Books:

Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Example: Smith, John. Understanding Climate Change. Penguin Books, 2020.

• Journal Articles:

Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages. DOI or URL (if applicable).

Example: Jones, Mary. “The Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” Environmental Studies Journal, vol. 15, no. 4, 2021, pp. 45-62. doi:10.1234/esj.v15i4.567.

• Websites:

Last Name, First Name (if available). “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website, Publisher (if applicable), Date of publication, URL.

Example: “Climate Change and Coastal Cities.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, 12 July 2022, www.noaa.gov/climate-change-coastal-cities.

YouTube Videos, Social Media Posts, etc.:

• YouTube Video: 

Last Name, First Name (if available). “Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Date, URL.

Example: “How Climate Change Affects Our Oceans.” YouTube, uploaded by Ocean Awareness, 5 May 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234.

• Social Media Post: 

Last Name, First Name (if available). “Content of the Post.” Platform, Date of post, URL.

Example: Johnson, Lisa. “Excited to see the new climate initiatives in action!” Twitter, 10 Aug. 2023, twitter.com/lisajohnson/status/123456789.

Less Common Sources:

• Films: 

Title of Film. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year.

Example: An Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Paramount Classics, 2006.

• Interviews: 

Last Name, First Name of Person Interviewed. Interview by Interviewer’s Name. Date of Interview.

Example: Smith, John. Interview by Jane Doe. 15 Jan. 2023.

• Podcasts: 

Host Last Name, First Name. “Title of Episode.” Title of Podcast, Network, Date, URL.

Example: Brown, Sarah. “Climate Change and Its Impact on Wildlife.” Eco Talks, Green Network, 20 June 2023, www.greennetwork.com/ecotalks/episode123.

MLA Format Template for Students

Having a clear template can make formatting your paper in MLA style much easier. Here are some helpful MLA format examples pdfs:

In conclusion, understanding how to do MLA format is essential for students who want to present their work clearly and professionally. 

By following these guidelines for formatting, using in-text citations, and creating a proper Works Cited page, you can ensure a properly formatted MLA paper. 

The templates and examples provided will help you focus on your ideas while making the writing process easier.

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