MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a widely recognized style guide used for academic writing, particularly in the humanities. Developed by the Modern Language Association, it provides a standardized framework for manuscript formatting and source citation. Understanding and correctly applying MLA format is crucial for students and academics alike to ensure clarity, credibility, and academic integrity in their written work.
This guide will delve into the core aspects of MLA format, offering a clear understanding of its principles and practical application. Whether you’re a student working on a research paper or a scholar preparing a manuscript, mastering MLA format is an essential skill.
Why Use MLA Format?
MLA style serves several key purposes in academic writing:
- Standardization: MLA format ensures consistency in the presentation of academic papers, making them easier to read and understand. It provides clear guidelines on everything from margins and font to headings and citations.
- Credibility and Academic Honesty: By providing a systematic approach to citing sources, MLA format gives credit to the original authors and researchers whose work you’ve used. This is fundamental to academic honesty and builds your credibility as a writer by demonstrating accountability to your sources.
- Avoiding Plagiarism: Perhaps most importantly, using MLA format correctly helps you avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, is a serious academic offense. MLA’s citation system clearly distinguishes your own ideas from those of others, protecting you from accusations of using someone else’s work without proper attribution.
For the most authoritative guidance, always refer to the MLA Handbook (9th edition). Scholars and graduate students may also consult the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition) for more in-depth information. These resources are readily available in libraries, bookstores, and online.
Core Elements of MLA Paper Format
Formatting your paper correctly is the first step in adhering to MLA style. Here are the general guidelines for setting up your MLA formatted document:
General Formatting Guidelines
- Paper and Printing: Use standard white 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Print your document using a high-quality printer for clear, legible text.
- Font: Choose a legible font such as Times New Roman or a similar serif font. The font size should be 12 point. MLA emphasizes the importance of contrast between regular and italics styles within your chosen font for clarity.
- Spacing: Double-space the entire text of your paper, including headings, quotations, and the Works Cited page.
- Spacing After Punctuation: Leave only one space after periods and other punctuation marks.
- Margins: Set one-inch margins on all sides of your document (top, bottom, left, and right).
- Paragraph Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin. The simplest way to do this is using the “Tab” key.
- Page Numbers and Header: Create a header in the upper right-hand corner of each page that includes your last name followed by a space and the page number. This should be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Number pages consecutively using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.). Your instructor may request omitting the page number on the first page – always follow their specific instructions.
- Italics: Use italics for titles of longer works (books, journals, websites, films) and for emphasis when absolutely necessary.
Formatting the First Page
MLA format does not require a separate title page unless specifically requested by your instructor or for group projects.
- No Title Page (Usually): Unless instructed otherwise, start your paper directly on the first page. For group projects, list all contributors’ names, each on a separate line, in the upper left-hand corner, followed by the other standard first-page elements.
- Heading (Upper Left Corner): In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list the following, double-spaced, each item on a new line:
- Your Name
- Your Instructor’s Name
- Course Name or Number
- Date (Day Month Year format, e.g., 15 July 2024)
- Title (Centered): Double-space down from the heading and center your paper’s title. Do not underline, italicize, or put your title in quotation marks. Use Title Case (capitalize the first letter of each main word).
- Titles within Titles: If your title includes the name of another work, format that title as you normally would within your text (italics for longer works, quotation marks for shorter works). Example: The Great Gatsby and the American Dream.
- Spacing Before Text: Double-space between the title and the first line of your essay’s text.
- Header (Upper Right Corner): As mentioned before, include your last name and page number in the header on every page, including the first.
Here’s an example of how the first page of an MLA paper should look:
Section Headings in MLA Format
Using section headings can significantly improve the readability and organization of longer essays and documents. MLA provides guidelines for structuring headings, allowing for different levels of hierarchy.
Essay Headings
When dividing an essay into sections, MLA recommends using numbered headings. Use Arabic numerals followed by a period, a space, and then the section name.
For example:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Book Headings
MLA does not prescribe a specific heading system for books, offering more flexibility. Consistency is key. If you use only one level of headings, ensure they are grammatically parallel (e.g., all short phrases or all full sentences).
For multi-level headings (sections within sections), you might consider providing a key to your instructor or editor explaining your chosen heading format.
Sample Heading Formats
Here are some sample heading formats for various levels, ensuring consistency throughout your document:
Numbered Headings:
- Main Section Heading
1.1. Subsection Heading
1.1.1. Sub-subsection Heading
Formatted, Unnumbered Headings:
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
Remember, consistency is paramount. Choose a heading style that suits your document’s structure and maintain it throughout.
Beyond Formatting: Citations and Works Cited
While paper formatting is crucial, MLA style is equally, if not more, concerned with proper citation. MLA uses parenthetical citations within the text and a comprehensive “Works Cited” page at the end of your paper to document all sources. This system ensures you give credit where it’s due and avoid plagiarism. Understanding MLA citation is a vital part of mastering MLA format, and will be covered in detail in subsequent guides.
Conclusion
Mastering MLA format is a fundamental step in academic writing. By adhering to these guidelines, you ensure your papers are clear, credible, and ethically sound. While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of MLA paper formatting, remember to always consult the MLA Handbook for the most detailed and up-to-date information. Correct MLA formatting not only enhances the presentation of your work but also reinforces your commitment to academic integrity and scholarly communication.
