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Published on: Apr 20, 2018
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Is formatting your paper stressing you out so much that you can't focus on your research?
Formatting can be a real pain, and if you get it wrong, your professor will dock points. If you've ever struggled with citing sources or formatting your papers, you're in the right place.
With this writing guide, you'll not only learn the ins and outs of MLA style, but you'll also find examples and tips that will make your papers stand out. Let's face it, no one wants to lose points for improper formatting or a missing citation.
So, let’s read on to find out how to properly format your paper!
MLA format is a style used mainly in subjects like literature, history, and language. It follows rules made by the Modern Language Association (MLA). These rules include citing sources inside the paper, making a list of sources at the end, and using in-text citations.
MLA format also has rules for how information should look in the paper, like font size, margins, and line spacing. It even has rules for using punctuation marks.
Following these rules is important because it makes your writing look professional and organized. This helps readers understand what you are saying.
It is entirely different from other formats as it is more focused on providing detailed references of the sources as additional information for the readers. It includes everything including in-text citations, endnotes, footnotes, and a bibliography.
What makes it different from the APA style? Check the table below to understand.
MLA Format | APA Format |
Used in Humanities subjects like Literature, history, arts, etc | Used in Social Science Subjects like Psychology, Sociology, etc |
Cite paintings, books, and other literature | Used for citing science and technical work |
Use the author’s last name and page number as references | Use the author’s last name and year of publication as references |
An integrated system of parenthetical Citation | Parenthetical in-text citations |
The general format for an MLA paper should include the following elements:
You can follow these guidelines to ensure that your MLA formatted paper is correctly presented and looks professional.
Your professor or instructor may have specific requirements for formatting your paper, so always make sure to check with them before beginning your project.
An MLA format is different from other citation and reference styles. Predominantly, it includes the author’s name and the page number of the citation source, the book, or the edition.
Unlike other referencing-style papers and essays, an MLA-style paper does not have a separate title or cover page. The student writes his full name, his teacher’s name, the course title, the course number, and the paper’s due date on the first page as the header of the page. In case your professor asks you to make the title page separately, follow the below example.
Since an MLA format paper does not include a separate title page, it has a header or top heading on the first page. The heading, or the header, contains:
To make the right MLA header, follow the below instructions:
Here's a table outlining how headings and subheadings are formatted in MLA format:
Level of Heading | Formatting |
First-level Heading | Flushed left, Boldface, Title Case Heading |
Second-level Heading | Flush Left, Italicized, Title Case Heading |
Third-level Heading | Boldface, Centered |
Fourth-level Heading | Italicized, Centered |
Fifth-level Heading | Flushed left, Italicized |
Follow the instructions closely and make sure that you add the correct details.
MLA’s page of references is regarded as Works Cited instead of references. As of its latest 8th edition, you will format your MLA style paper references in the following way:
These are the latest changes in the said format. Here is an MLA Works Cited page example;
The in-text citation is added whenever you add a quote or paraphrased content to your paper. How to do it correctly? In the case of one writer, add the last name of the writer in the parenthesis, like:
(McNary)
What to do if a website has more than one author? For two authors, take a look at the following example written in MLA format:
“Wadhwa, Vivek, and Alex Salkever. “How Can We Make Technology Healthier for Humans?” Wired, Condé Nast, 26 June 2018, www.wired.com/story/healther-technology-for-humans/.” |
Put the name of both authors in the parenthesis.
(Wadhwa and Salkever).
How to write MLA format in-text citations for more than 2 authors? Only include the 1st author’s last name. For rest, et al. will serve the purpose.
(Wadhwa, et al.)
Do you use quotes in research papers? You can directly quote or paraphrase them. However, learning the technique to use these quotes is important. The right way of doing it is to use them to support your claims and arguments.
Many students make the mistake of adding the quotes first and adding the arguments later. Your essay is your work and quotes should only be used to support and prove your claims, not the other way around.
Do not let them eat up the majority and the main part of your paper. To avoid plagiarism and content theft, always cite the quotes whether you are adding them as it is or paraphrasing them.
You can cite the MLA format quotes in either of the following ways:
Looking to cite a book in your paper? Citing a book is different from citing a website. For the citation, you will need the following information:
1. Author(s)
2. Publication information
3. The book’s title
James, Henry. The Ambassadors. Rockville: Serenity, 2009. Google books. Web. 16 Mar. 2010. http://books.google.com |
The same MLA format is followed for each book.
While writing in-text citations, add the page number of the book with the name of the author like in the example below…
(Jones 134)
The date and year of the publication are added in an MLA format style. Besides, year and month, it may also include season.
Have a look at the example for a better understanding….
For example: (27 Jan. 2018) If the month, year, and day are there, cite them all. |
Works Cited and MLA bibliography formats are not the same. A bibliography is a list of sources recommended by the writer for reading. However, the bibliography does not have a different referencing style or structure.
The only difference is that where the References or Works Cited only include the works that are used in the paper of the work. The bibliography includes all the works that the writer has consulted or read when writing the essay or the paper.
An annotated bibliography is different from a simple list of References or Works Cited. Along with the references, the annotated bibliography also includes a critique of the reference. When making the said bibliography, you add the reference followed by a critique of the reference.
Often, an annotated bibliography is required before starting with the research paper. Professors want to see the sources that you are planning to use in your paper.
To help you understand and write a correct and proper annotated bibliography, follow the below tips:
Annotated bibliographies demand critical analysis. To write a good and helpful annotated bibliography, investigate the author’s point of view, search for flaws, strengths, negatives, and positives, and explain how the original source is helpful for the research.
What makes the paper look sleek and elegant? Margins! In MLA papers, 1-inch margins are used around the page. Word processing programs set the default to 1-inch margins.
If not, check the settings and locate the margin size.
Margins, headers, font, and spacing are the building blocks of a perfectly crafted paper in any format, including the MLA style.
To know how to cite a website in MLA format, learn from the below example:
“McNary, Dave. “Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter Returning for ‘Bill and Ted Face the Music.’” Variety, Penske Media Corporation, 8 May 2018, variety.com/2018/film/news/bill-and-ted-3-keanu-reeves-alex-winter-1202802946/.” |
A footnote is a short reference placed at the bottom of a page that provides additional information on the text in question.
Footnotes/endnotes follow slightly different formatting rules than regular in-text citations:
For example….
“They argued politics is discriminatory.6” "The cause of global warming is still unknown.1" |
1. Sally Doe, Global Warming: What We Know and Don't Know (Boston: Harvard University Press, 2020), 22. |
2. Ibid., 25.
However, instead of numbering each note individually, they can be listed together in a section at the end of your paper titled “Endnotes” or “Notes.”
Literature, history, and other humanities subject's research papers are mostly written in MLA format.
Since these subjects are more detail-oriented and MLA allows the students and researchers to present their cited works in detail, they prefer this format.
Correct formatting will definitely affect your grades and help you earn your teacher’s appreciation. However, before you start, we have added some helpful MLA research paper formatting tips below:
Correct formatting is necessary for a perfect and A-grade-worthy paper.
MLA 8th edition does not have definite guidelines for the MLA format outline.
If the teacher asks for one, use:
Once you learn the basics, you are ready to write your MLA format essay or paper. Below are some helpful tips that will keep you on track:
Don’t forget to watch this helpful video on MLA style essay format.
MLA style can be tricky to handle. The best technique is to follow the instructions of the professor. At times, he may give you some guidelines for proper formatting.
Have a look at the example below to get a better understanding.
Abbreviations are mainly put to use in many source types inclusive of books, websites, posts, blogs, and journal articles. It is alright to use abbreviations in all of these sources. However, when it comes to school and research assignments the Modern Language Association suggests against using them.
Spelling out abbreviations into their full words and meaning is recommended. This ensures understanding and avoids any confusion. Instead of coming across choppy abbreviations, readers can follow the natural flow of the language in the paper.
Many students also use an MLA format generator or citation generator to generate their citations but that may end up causing more trouble than it’s worth.
Although using an automated tool may be simpler and faster, it can also lead to incorrect citations which are not something you want in your paper! So, getting help from an expert is a better option.
To wrap it up, understanding the MLA format is an essential skill. This guide has provided you with a thorough overview o the things to keep in mind while formatting a paper in MLA style.
So let our guidelines and tips help you and start applying them to your work today!
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, our professional essay writers have got your back. Our essay writing service has a team of experienced writers who are skilled in all research paper formats!
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WRITTEN BY
Caleb S. (Literature, Marketing)
Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.
Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.
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