MLA Essay Format Guide
MLA Format Essentials
A standard mla essay format guide requires 1-inch margins on all sides, 12-point Times New Roman font, and double-spacing throughout the entire document. Every page must include a right-aligned running head with your last name and page number. No title page is necessary unless your instructor specifically requests one.
MLA 9th Edition Formatting Requirements
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides |
| Font | Times New Roman, 12 pt |
| Spacing | Double-spaced throughout |
| Indentation | 0.5 inch (one Tab) for new paragraphs |
| Header | Name, Instructor, Course, Date (Top left) |
| Running Head | Last name and page number (Top right) |
| Title | Centered, Title Case, no bold or italics |
| Works Cited | New page, hanging indents, alphabetical order |
First Page and Header Setup
The first page of an MLA-formatted paper must contain specific identifying information in the top-left corner. This list is double-spaced and follows this exact order:
- Your full name
- Your instructor's name
- The course name or number
- The due date (formatted as Day Month Year)
Following this list, center your essay title on the next line. Do not use bold, underline, or all-caps for your title. Use standard Title Case capitalization.
MLA Header Example
Jane Doe Professor Smith English 101 15 October 2023 **The Impact of Digital Literacy on Modern Education**
In-Text Citation Rules
MLA uses the author-page method for in-text citations. The author's last name and the page number from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page.
- Direct quote: "The data suggests a shift" (Smith 42).
- Author named in sentence: Smith argues that "the data suggests a shift" (42).
- No page number: (Smith).
Formatting Tip
Use the 'Hanging Indent' feature in your word processor for the Works Cited page. In Google Docs or Microsoft Word, highlight your citations, go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation Options, and select 'Hanging' from the special indent menu. This ensures exactly 0.5 inches of indentation for every line after the first in a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, MLA format does not require a separate title page unless specifically requested by your instructor. Instead, include a four-line header on the first page that lists your name, instructor, course, and date.
Start the Works Cited on a new page at the end of your essay. Center the title, use double spacing throughout, and apply a 0.5-inch hanging indent to all citation entries.
MLA recommends using a legible font that creates a clear contrast between regular and italicized text. Times New Roman in 12-point size is the academic standard.
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