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MLA Format



All students should be using MLA format for final written papers. 

The guidelines for MLA format help keep work consistent and organized.  In addition, it ensures that all work is original or properly cited (in text and in a bibliography).

The style recommended by the association for preparing scholarly manuscripts and student research papers concerns itself with the mechanics of writing, such as punctuation, quotation, and documentation of sources. MLA style has been widely adopted by schools, academic departments, and instructors for nearly half a century.

These skills are so important for high school and college work.

Please refer to the handout from class or the official MLA website for more information.  Each paper will be partially graded on MLA format.


General Guidelines

  • Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper,
  • Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font like Times New Roman or Courier.
  • Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
  • Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
  • Indent the first line of a paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the left margin.
  • Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: omit the number on the title page.)
  • Use either italics or underlining throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.
  • If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

  • Title page for your paper should include your first and last name centered in the middle of the page.
  • Double space again and center the title. Don't underline your title or put it in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case, not in all capital letters.
  • Use quotation marks and underlining or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text, e.g.,
    • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play
    • Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
  • Double space and enter your instructor's name
  • Double space again and enter the date the paper is due.

Header on all additional Pages 

  • Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

Reference Page

  • All sources must be cited in text and be included on a reference page at the end of the document.
  • Use www.Citationmachine.net to help you correctly organize the references in MLA format.
Mrs. Eclipse-Brown