Education
As a student or academic in the humanities, you've likely come across MLA format, which is a widely used citation style for formatting and citing sources in fields such as English, Philosophy, Art, and others.
The guidelines for MLA format are established by the Modern Language Association, and its most recent update was in 2021 with the release of the 9th edition of the MLA handbook.
In this post, you'll gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of MLA format, covering aspects like page layout, citation regulations, and the creation of a bibliography. Additionally, you'll receive a helpful checklist to assist you in adhering to MLA formatting and citation requirements.
Page Setup Guidelines for MLA Style
Page setup involves guidelines for how your page should look. This includes text formatting, headings, margins, and page numbers to make your paper readable.
Page & Text Formatting Rules
Here's how to set up your page according to MLA guidelines:
Margins
1 inch on all sides
Text Size
12-point Times New Roman
Line Spacing
Double-spaced
Indentation
½ inch first-line indent
Alignment
Left-aligned
Header
Top-right, including Last Name & Page Number
Title Page
No separate title page needed
Title
MLA style doesn't require a title page. Instead, include the following information:
- Author's full name (left-aligned)
- Name of professor or instructor (left-aligned)
- Course name and number (left-aligned)
- Date (dd/month/yyyy) (left-aligned)
- Title of the Paper (center-aligned)
- Begin your text with a first-line indent.
Refer to the image below for a correctly formatted MLA title:
Header and Running Head
The MLA header appears at the top-right of every page and includes your last name and page number. This helps readers navigate your paper.
To create an MLA header:
- Insert page numbers at the top-right corner.
- Write your last name and page number in 12-point Times New Roman.
Here's how it should look:
Headings and Subheadings
MLA has specific rules for headings to improve readability and navigation:
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
How to Cite in MLA Style?
In addition to page formatting, MLA requires specific guidelines for citing sources. Proper citations establish the credibility of your work and avoid plagiarism.
MLA citations consist of:
- In-text citations
- Works Cited page entries
Let's explore both aspects of MLA citations.
MLA In-Text Citations
An in-text citation briefly refers to a source you use in your paper. It typically includes the author's last name and the page number.
It shows where information or ideas are taken from and helps readers find the full citation in your Works Cited list.
Parenthetical Citations
Parenthetical citations appear in parentheses at the end of the sentence where you use a source:
Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Here are some rules for parenthetical citations in MLA:
- If a source has two authors, include both names separated by "and."
- If a source has three or more authors, use the first author's name followed by "et al."
- If a source has no author, use the title in quotation marks.
Narrative Citations
A narrative citation appears within the sentence where the source is used, including the author's name and page number:
According to Wordsworth, romantic poetry is marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).
Guidelines for narrative citations are similar to parenthetical citations.
Works Cited Page in MLA
All in-text citations must have a corresponding detailed entry in your Works Cited page. This section lists all sources used in your paper.
How to Format the Works Cited Page?
Follow these rules:
- Start on a separate page with the heading "Works Cited" centered at the top.
- Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spacing.
- Arrange entries alphabetically by the author's last name.
- Use a hanging indent for each entry.
Formatting Each Citation Entry
Use MLA core elements to format each entry, including Author, Title of source, Title of container, Publisher, Publication date, and URL if applicable.
Here are examples for common source types:
- Book: Author. Title of source. Publisher, Publication date.
- Journal Article: Author. "Title of source." Title of journal, vol. Issue, Publication date, Pages.
- Online Source: Author. "Title of article or webpage." Title of website, Publisher, Publication date or Access date, URL.
Example of an MLA Works Cited page:
MLA Format Checklist
Here's a checklist to make sure you've followed all the MLA guidelines correctly:
MLA Format Checklist
Completed (?)
1. Page Setup
- Set margins to 1 inch on all sides
- Use Times New Roman font, size 12
- Double-space your entire document
- Include a header with your last name and page number
- Center-align your title; don't underline or bold it
2. In-text Citations
- Use the author's last name and page number in parentheses
- Use quotation marks for direct quotes
- Provide a parenthetical citation for paraphrasing
3. Works Cited Page
- Arrange sources in alphabetical order
- Use a hanging indent for the second and subsequent lines of each entry
- Ensure each citation follows the correct format
- Double-space the entire Works Cited page
4. General Writing Style
- Use a formal tone in your writing
- Keep your language clear and concise
- Avoid using first-person pronouns like "I" or "we"
- Proofread your paper for grammar and spelling errors
To sum up
It's really important to use MLA format correctly to avoid unintentionally copying someone else's work. Remembering all these rules can be hard, but you don't have to do it alone. Online tools, like the citation machine at MyEssayWriter.ai, can make the process quicker and more accurate.
This citation machine is always updated with the latest rules for different citation styles. Whether you're creating a Works Cited page or citing sources within your text, This is a website that write essays for you free and can help you get them right.