Understanding the Basics of MLA Formatting

Welcome! The most important aspect of communication is clarity. When you are communicating with others, you want them to understand what you’re telling them. If you don’t communicate clearly, they may be distracted from what you’re saying by how you’re saying it.

This is why we have standard spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and formatting. By using communication standards appropriately, we can be as clear as possible, and our thoughts and ideas will have an impact on those we care enough to share them with.

For this course, all assignments must use MLA formatting which are submitted separately, as an uploaded file.

Important: Note that all uploaded files must be in PDF or DOC/DOCX format.

In this lesson, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting, an essential skill for academic writing. This formatting is used in many subject areas in an academic setting, including all English and Humanities courses.

Learning to format your papers correctly — in MLA style — will help you present your ideas clearly and professionally.

Why MLA Formatting Matters

MLA formatting serves several crucial purposes:

  1. Clarity: MLA ensures that your writing is structured in a consistent and organized way, making it easier for readers to follow your arguments.
  2. Credibility: Proper formatting demonstrates your commitment to academic integrity and professionalism.
  3. Avoiding Plagiarism: MLA guidelines help you properly attribute sources, preventing unintentional plagiarism.

Key Elements of MLA Formatting

Let’s begin by exploring the key elements of an MLA-formatted document:

  • Margins: Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides of the paper.
  • Font: Use a legible 12-point font. Fonts are often required to be “Times New Roman” — including in this course.
  • Spacing: Double-space your entire paper, including the text, block quotations, and the Works Cited page.
  • Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (usually achieved by pressing the “Tab” key).
  • Page Numbers: “Insert” a page number “header” in the top-right corner of each page, half an inch from the top, preceded by your last name (e.g., “Smith 1”).
  • Title: Place your title centered on the first page, following capitalization rules for titles. Use the same size of font.
  • Headers: Include a header with your last name and page number in the top-right corner of each page, aligned with the right margin.

To simplify things, you may use templates if you like.

There are also simple tutorials for learning to create MLA formatting in Microsoft Word or in Google Docs.

Formatting the First Page

There are no “cover pages” in MLA formatting. The first page of your paper should include the following elements:

  • Your Name: Place your name, your instructor’s name, the course title, and the date (day, month, year) in the top-left corner of the first page. This information should be double-spaced and aligned to the left.
  • Title: Center the title of your paper on the first page, using standard capitalization rules (capitalize the first and last words and all major words in between). Good writing deserves a good title. Always try to write an engaging, descriptive title, rather than something boring, like “Assignment Four.”
  • Page Header: “Insert” a page “header” with your last name and the page number in the top-right corner, half an inch from the top, and flush with the right margin.

In-Text Citations

When referencing sources of information within your paper, use in-text citations. This typically includes the author’s last name and the page number from the source. For example, “quotations from someone else are formatted like this” (Smith 45). Note where the period goes (not inside the quotation marks) at the actual end of the sentence.

Works Cited Page

Especially for research papers, at the end of your paper, you should include a “Works Cited” page that lists all the sources you used in your research. Each entry should follow specific formatting guidelines, including the author’s name, title of the work, publication information, and more.

 

 

Practice and Resources

To become proficient in MLA formatting, practice is essential. Familiarize yourself with the rules outlined here, and refer to online resources, such as the Purdue OWL’s MLA Formatting and Style Guide, for detailed examples and additional guidance.