MLA Style—Part I

MLA and APA Formatting

MLA StylePart IBasic FormattingWorks Cited Page Formatting

Sample MLA Paper

Brief VideoClick on the link below to watch a brief video.

MLA "How To" Video (Five Minutes)

Paper Formatting BasicsOne inch margins all around (except for page numbers, which should be inch below the top).Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt. recommendedNo title page neededPage 1 headings:Your nameYour instructors nameThe course numberThe date in day/month/year formatCentered title 1 double space below the headingsName and page number in the upper right hand corner (half-inch margin) on all pagesLast page=Works Cited page

Paper FormattingMS Word IssuesMS Word uses 1.25 as the default left and right margins. You need to reset these margins to 1 inch under the Page Layout>Margins tab.MS Word uses 11 pt. Calibri font as the default font. You need to reset this font/size choice to 12 pt. Times New Roman on the Home tab.MS Word puts extra space between paragraphs in the default setting. You need to reset this spacing to zero (0) extra points of spacing under the Paragraph>Spacing tab.

Paper FormattingSpecial IssuesPlace tables and illustrations as close as possible to the parts of the text to which they relate (118).Label Tables as Table 1, Table 2, etc.Label all other visuals as Figures: Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.Use good quality white paper of 8.5 by 11.Avoid folders or binders. Use a binder clip, paper clip, or a staple. (Many professors prefer staples.)Print on only one side of the paper unless your teacher specifically tells you otherwise.

Works Cited Page Formatting BasicsCenter the title Works Cited (with no quotation marks) one inch below the top of a new page.Include your last name and the page number on this page.List the works in alphabetical order by author.If the author is not available, alphabetize by title.Each entry is double spaced, with no extra space between entriesUse the same 12 pt. Times New Roman font as in the rest of the paper.Use a hanging indentation of inch in each entry.Do not number the entries.

Works Cited PageSpecial IssuesIf you have two or more works by the same author or authors, begin the 2nd and subsequent entries with ---.Alphabetize these multiple entries by the title:

Twain, Mark. Huckleberry Finn---. Tom Sawyer

Works Cited PageIndividual Entries Broadly speaking, entries follow this order:Authors nameTitlePublication information (date, volume, city of publication, etc.)Mode of access (print or web)Each form is slightly different. There are forms for books, journal and magazine articles, newspaper articles, web sites, video recordings, and other types of entries.Look up the right format for each source.Do not trust an automated online citation service or citation-generating software to format your entries correctly. The responsibility is yours.

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