The Modern Language Association (MLA) Style is a set of rules for citing sources and formatting papers. The purpose of this guide is to serve as a ready reference tool for formatting your papers and citations in MLA Style. In general, MLA Style is used in the Humanities and Liberal Arts. Check with your teacher to be sure you are using the correct Style. Click HERE to see sample papers.

MLA Style: Format Your Paper

General Format

  • Margin: One inch on all sides
  • Font size: 12 point
  • Typeface: Choose an easily readable typeface, e.g., Times New Roman
  • Spacing: Double-space the entire paper
  • Punctuation: Leave one space after a period and other punctuation marks
  • Alignment: Flush left, uneven on right
  • Indentation: Indent one-half inch the first line of every paragraph
  • Pagination: Number all pages in the header flush right with author’s last name first
     

Heading and Title

  • No title page
  • Type author’s name, instructor’s name, course number, and date on separate double-spaced lines
  • Capitalize the first, last and all principal words of title and subtitle
  • Double-space and center the title
  • Double-space between the lines of the title, and between the title and the first line of text

 

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