MLA Referencing Style​

MLA General Format
MLA Style establishes a set of rules for formatting academic papers and properly citing sources. It outlines how manuscripts should be prepared, including guidelines for layout and structure, and provides a standardized method for incorporating in-text (parenthetical) citations along with a comprehensive Works Cited page to reference all used sources.

Writers who consistently apply MLA style not only enhance the credibility of their work by showing careful attention to source material, but they also protect themselves from plagiarism claims—whether these arise intentionally or inadvertently from using someone else’s work without proper credit.

When required to use MLA format, it is essential to consult the MLA Handbook (9th edition) for complete guidance. For those involved in publishing or pursuing graduate studies, the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition) offers additional insights. The MLA Handbook is readily available at most writing centers, reference libraries, bookstores, and on the MLA website. For more information, refer to the Additional Resources section on this page, which lists a variety of helpful books and websites on using MLA style.

Paper Format Guidelines
The MLA Style Manual (Part Four) outlines how to prepare papers and manuscripts. Below is a summary of the essential formatting instructions for an MLA-style paper:

• Document Setup:
  • Use a computer to type your paper and print it on standard white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
  • Set all margins to 1 inch.
• Text Formatting:
  • Double-space the entire text of your paper.
  • Choose a clear, legible font such as Times New Roman, and ensure that the regular and italicized versions are clearly distinguishable. The recommended font size is 12 pt.
  • Only include one space after punctuation marks (unless your instructor advises otherwise).
• Paragraphs and Indentation:
  • Indent the first line of every paragraph by half an inch from the left margin. Using the “Tab” key is recommended over manually inserting spaces.
• Header and Page Numbers:
  • Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your page numbers in consecutive order. This header should be positioned half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Follow any specific instructions from your instructor if they require omitting the number on the first page.)
• Italics and Emphasis:
  • Use italics to denote the titles of longer works. Reserve additional use of italics solely for necessary emphasis.
• Endnotes:
  • If your paper contains endnotes, include them on a separate page prior to the Works Cited page, titling the section “Notes” (centered without any additional formatting).

This concise guide encapsulates the basic requirements for formatting a paper in MLA style.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• No Separate Title Page:
  Do not include a separate title page unless your instructor specifically requests one or the assignment is a group project. For group projects, list each contributor’s name on its own line at the top, then include the standard MLA header information as outlined below. Follow any additional instructions provided by your instructor.
• Header Information (Upper Left):
  At the top left corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor’s name, the course title, and the date, each on a separate line, using double spacing.
• Title Placement and Style:
  After the header, double space and then center your title. Write your title in Title Case (using standard capitalization) without underlining, italicizing, or enclosing it in quotation marks. However, if your title references other works, apply quotation marks and/or italics as you would within your text (e.g., Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play or Human Weariness in “After Apple Picking”).
• Spacing Before the Text:
  Insert a double space between the title and the first line of your paper’s main text.
• Page header (upper right):
  Create a header on the upper right-hand corner of each page that includes your last name followed by a space and the page number. Number the pages consecutively using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.), positioning the header half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Some instructors may ask you to omit the header on the first page, so always follow their specific guidelines.

Section Headings

Using section headings can help improve the readability of a document by breaking it into clearly defined parts, such as individual chapters or distinct sections of an essay.

For Essays:
When dividing an essay into sections, MLA advises numbering each section with an Arabic numeral followed by a period, a space, and then the section title. For example:

1. Early Writings
2. The London Years
3. Traveling the Continents
4. Final Years.

Books

MLA Style does not prescribe a single system of headings for books. For more detailed information on heading conventions, see page 146 of the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition). When using only one level of headings—that is, when all sections are distinct and parallel without any subsections—MLA suggests that your headings be grammatically consistent. For example, if your headings are short phrases, keep them as short phrases rather than converting some into full sentences. Beyond this, the specific formatting is up to you, as long as it remains consistent throughout your work.

If you choose to use multiple levels of headings (where some sections are subdivided further), consider providing a key or legend to your instructor or editor that explains the formatting rules for each heading level.

Sample Section Headings

Numbered Format:

1. Soil Conservation
   1.1 Erosion
   1.2 Terracing
2. Water Conservation
3. Energy Conservation

Formatted, Unnumbered Format:

• Level 1 Heading: Bold, flush left
• Level 2 Heading: Italics, flush left
• Level 3 Heading: Centered, bold
• Level 4 Heading: Centered, italics
• Level 5 Heading: Underlined, flush left