How to Do MLA Format

Understanding MLA Format Guidelines

To properly format your academic paper or essay in MLA style, it’s important to understand the guidelines set forth by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Font: Use a legible, 12-point font such as Times New Roman. Avoid using any fancy or decorative fonts.
2. Margins: Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.
3. Spacing: Double-space your entire paper, including the Works Cited page and any block quotes.
4. Header: Include a header in the top right corner of every page with your last name and the page number.
5. Title: Center your title on the first page of your paper and avoid underlining, bolding, or italicizing it.
6. In-text citations: Use parenthetical citations within the body of your paper to give credit to sources.
7. Works Cited page: List all sources used in alphabetical order on a separate page at the end of your paper.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your paper is properly formatted in MLA style and meets the expectations of your instructor or professor.

Creating In-Text Citations in MLA Format

In MLA style, in-text citations are used to give credit to sources within the body of your paper. Here are some guidelines to follow when creating in-text citations in MLA format:

1. Author’s name: When citing a source with one author, include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the quote or paraphrased information. Example: (Smith 27)
2. Two authors: When citing a source with two authors, include both authors’ last names and the page number. Example: (Smith and Johnson 27)
3. Three or more authors: When citing a source with three or more authors, include only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” and the page number. Example: (Smith et al. 27)
4. No author: When citing a source with no author, use the title of the work in the in-text citation. Example: (“Article Title” 27)
5. Page numbers: If the source has page numbers, include them in the in-text citation. If it does not have page numbers, omit them.
6. Quotations: When quoting directly from a source, include the author’s name, page number, and quotation marks around the quoted text. Example: According to Smith, “The world is round” (27).
7. Block quotes: If a quote is longer than four lines, indent the entire quote and do not use quotation marks. Include the author’s name and page number in parentheses at the end of the quote.

By following these guidelines, you can properly cite your sources within the body of your paper in MLA format.

Formatting Your Works Cited Page in MLA Format

In MLA style, the Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you used in your research. Here are some guidelines to follow when formatting your Works Cited page in MLA format:

1. Title: Center the title “Works Cited” at the top of the page.
2. Formatting: List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If the source has no author, use the title of the work instead.
3. Hanging indent: Use a hanging indent for each entry. The first line of each citation should be flush with the left margin, and all subsequent lines should be indented half an inch.
4. Capitalization: Capitalize the first word of each title and subtitle, as well as any other words that are normally capitalized (proper nouns, acronyms, etc.).
5. Italics: Italicize the titles of longer works (books, journals, films, etc.), and use quotation marks for the titles of shorter works (articles, essays, poems, etc.).
6. Publication information: Include the publication information for each source, including the author’s name, title of the work, publication date, publisher, and page numbers.

By following these guidelines, you can create a properly formatted Works Cited page in MLA style that accurately reflects the sources you used in your research.

Tips for Properly Formatting Your MLA Paper

In addition to following the guidelines for MLA format, there are several tips you can use to ensure that your paper is properly formatted and visually appealing. Here are some tips for formatting your MLA paper:

1. Use white, 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
2. Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.
3. Use a legible font, such as Times New Roman, and set the font size to 12 point.
4. Double-space your entire paper, including your Works Cited page and any block quotes.
5. Include a header with your last name and the page number in the top right corner of every page.
6. Center your title on the first page of your paper, and avoid underlining, bolding, or italicizing it.
7. Use italics for titles of longer works (books, journals, films, etc.) and quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, essays, poems, etc.).
8. Use parenthetical citations within the body of your paper to give credit to sources.
9. Use a hanging indent for each entry on your Works Cited page, with the first line flush with the left margin and all subsequent lines indented half an inch.
10. Proofread your paper carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your MLA paper is properly formatted and visually appealing, making it easier for your reader to follow your argument and understand your research.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in MLA Format

While MLA format is relatively straightforward, there are some common mistakes that students often make when formatting their papers. Here are some mistakes to avoid when using MLA format:

1. Forgetting to include a Works Cited page: Make sure to include a separate page at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you used in your research.
2. Inaccurate citations: Double-check your in-text citations and Works Cited page to make sure that they are accurate and complete.
3. Improperly formatted quotes: Make sure that any quotes you include in your paper are properly formatted with quotation marks and a citation.
4. Incorrect capitalization: Make sure to capitalize the first word of each title and subtitle, as well as any other words that are normally capitalized (proper nouns, acronyms, etc.).
5. Using the wrong font or font size: Use a legible font, such as Times New Roman, and set the font size to 12 point.
6. Incorrectly formatted block quotes: If you have a quote that is longer than four lines, make sure to indent the entire quote and do not use quotation marks.
7. Forgetting to include a header: Make sure to include a header with your last name and the page number in the top right corner of every page.
8. Using the wrong margins: Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.
9. Incorrectly formatted hanging indents: Make sure to use a hanging indent for each entry on your Works Cited page, with the first line flush with the left margin and all subsequent lines indented half an inch.
10. Not proofreading carefully: Proofread your paper carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your MLA paper is properly formatted and accurately reflects your research.