How To Write Mla Format

This document will show you how to format an essay in mla style.

How to write mla format. Whatever font you choose mla recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are each distinct from one another. A chapter of a book an article in a journal or a page on a website. Include your name and the page number right aligned in the header on every page. Indent the first line of a paragraph half an inch from the left margin. 0 2 if instead of questions about putting the final formatting touches on your essay you have questions about what to write see instead my handouts on writing a short research paper coming up with a good thesis statement and using quotations in the body of your paper.

Double space the text of your paper and use a legible font e g. Use quotation marks around the title if it is part of a larger work e g. Double space the entire research paper including quotations notes and the list of works cited. Remember that only the first page should include the whole heading and title. Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard white 8 5 x 11 inch paper.

To write a paper in mla format create 1 inch margins on all sides of the page and use 12 point font and double space your text as you write. Align the title so it sits in the center of the mla format paper. The main body of your paper starts on the same page directly under the title. Your full name first and last don t use nicknames your teacher s name. Italicize the title of a self contained whole e g.

The title should be written in standard lettering without underlines bold font italicized font or any quotation marks. A book film journal or website. Download the mla heading template word. On the first page type your heading in the upper left corner. There should be no.

Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark unless your instructor prefers two spaces. Your subject and class and possibly also grade as needed period 1 the name of the class with your class color if the teacher color codes their classes etc the date. This resource updated to reflect the mla handbook 8 th ed offers examples for the general format of mla research papers in text citations endnotes footnotes and the works cited page. Mla style does not require a separate cover page. Here s an example of a title page following the mla writing format.