MLA Editing and Formatting

MLA formatting and style guide- A WordsRU Resource

Overview

In contrast with APA style, MLA style is a development of The Modern Language Association and is most commonly used to cite sources within the liberal arts and the humanities.

WordsRU offers help with academic documents in MLA style, which uses a Works Cited Page (instead of the APA Reference List) to list works at the end of the paper. In-text citations consist of brief mentions in parentheses of the author’s name — or document title — and page number (if applicable). These mentions direct readers to the work/s of the author on the list of works cited, and the page where the information is located. For example; (McCormack, 198) refers the reader to page 198 of the work authored by McCormack with the Works Cited page giving full details of the author, title and publication year and other relevant information).

As with other leading citation styles, when used correctly MLA style enhances the credibility of the work by accrediting the contribution of source material, and protects writers from charges of plagiarism.

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Formatting a paper in MLA style

Type your paper on a computer for printing 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 (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).
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.
Use either italics or underlining throughout your essay for the titles of longer works. Elsewhere italics should be used to provide emphasis only when absolutely necessary.
Endnotes, if used, should be included separately and before the Works Cited page.

Formatting the first page

Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested.
In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
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 between the title and the first line of the text.
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. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow their guidelines.)

Works Cited pages in general

Works Cited lists sources in alphabetical order. The use of a hanging indent is recommended. This form of indenting will achieve the first line of each entry being flush left and subsequent lines indented.

For more detailed information on MLA citation and formatting, please refer to the MLA resources given at the bottom of this article, or consult with your supervisor to determine individual department style preferences.

Please note that within each of the specific citation styles, individual institutions may have variations in their requirements. It is strongly recommended that authors of academic papers check for such variances and individual requirements with their supervisors. Further information about citations and formatting in MLA style are available at:

For further information, please refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th. Ed) and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd Ed.). See also www.mla.org/style

WordsRU Academic Services:

WordsRU editors are familiar with standard academic formatting including APA and MLA editing.

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