What is mla format

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Visit us on Facebook. Contact the Student HelpDesk. Powered by Springshare ; All rights reserved. MLA clarifies when to use Arabic and Roman numerals and when to spell out numbers or just use the Arabic form. For example, if you can spell a number out in a few words, go for it. Your fingers might start to hurt writing out that one.

To keep your fingers from cramping, you can use abbreviations in MLA formatting. But like everything else, rules need to be followed for abbreviations. For example, end abbreviations with a period if they end in a lower case letter, and abbreviate months longer than four letters.

Another crucial part of your MLA paper formatting is the tables and illustrations. Not only do they add color to your work, but some things must be shown rather than read. When it comes to tables and figures, keep the figure as close to the text as possible, and follow MLA formatting rules. And, you can include as many as you want. Just keep these formatting rules in mind.

MLA format is excellent for art and language paper topics. Therefore, images, illustrations, and maps could be a big part of your paper. Formatting an image in MLA is similar to a table, but there are a few distinctions in formatting.

Musical illustrations follow the same rules as a figure, but you label them as an example Ex. Preparation has you ready! Armed with MLA paper formatting knowledge, you are fully prepared to set up your paper with ease. Now get writing! To write a paper in MLA format, you need a running header with your last name and page number, 1-inch margins on all sides, indents when starting a new paragraph, and a readable font.

You'll also cite your sources in-text and on your works cited page using MLA format citations. EasyBib Plus offers a checker that scans for grammar errors and unintentional plagiarism. Check out our MLA sample papers.

Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Elise Barbeau. Michele Kirschenbaum is a school library media specialist and the in-house librarian at EasyBib. You can find her here on Twitter. Elise Barbeau is the Citation Specialist at Chegg. She has worked in digital marketing, libraries, and publishing.

The works-cited list provides the reader full information so that a reader can locate the source for further use. Write the running head in the top right of the page at 0.

Entries should be double-spaced, including a double-space between the heading and the first entry. If any entry runs over more than a line, indent the subsequent line s 0. Do not bold, italicize, or underline the title. Double-space all entries. Begin each entry flush with the left margin. If any entry runs over more than one line, indent the subsequent line s 0. Damasio, Antonio.

Vintage, Hill, R. MacDonald, Shauna M. Zilio, M. An in-text citation is a short citation that is placed in the text. It is styled in two ways: a citation in prose or a parenthetical citation.

The publication year is not required in in-text citations. Sometimes, page numbers or line numbers are also included, especially when directly quoting text from the source being cited. Sometimes they include a page number or other locator. An example of a parenthetical citation is given below:. If you want to cite a chapter number, a scene, or a line number, follow the abbreviation guidelines below:. Here are a few examples of in-text citations for sources with different numbers or types of authors:.

Use only the surname of the author in parenthetical citations. Shorten the organization name wherever possible, excluding any initial articles and using the shortest noun phrase e. When you add such in-text citations, italicize the text of the title. If the source title is longer than a noun phrase, use a shortened version of the title. Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started. Certain features require a modern browser to function. Please use a different browser, like Firefox , Chrome , or Safari. Make 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides. The first word in every paragraph should be indented one half inch. Indent set-off or block quotations one half inch from the left margin. Use any type of font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman.

Make sure that italics look different from the regular typeface. Use point size. Double space the entire research paper, even the Works Cited page. Leave one space after periods and other punctuation marks, unless your instructor tells you to leave two spaces.

To create a header for your first page, follow these steps: Begin one inch from the top of the first page and flush with the left margin. Double space once more and center the title. Do NOT underline, bold, or type the title in all capital letters. Only italicize words that would normally be italicized in the text. Example: Character Development in The Great Gatsby Do not place a period after the title or after any headings Double space between the title and first lines of the text.

Paper Choice While many professors, instructors, and publications allow electronic submission, some prefer printed, hard copies of papers. Binding Some professors or instructors will provide guidance on how to secure hard copies of projects.

Position your name one inch from the top and left margins of the page. Add a double space beneath your name, and type the name of your instructor. Place the name of your school at the top of the page. Skip down to about the center of the page and type the title of your paper. Do not bold the title, italicize the entire title, place quotation marks around it, or type the title out in capital letters.

Use italics for the titles of any sources in the title of your paper. Capitalize the: first letter of the title first letter of the last word first letter of any adjectives, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, and verbs If your paper has a subtitle, include on the next line below your title. Keep the font size at 12 pt. Use the same font as the text of the paper. The Modern Language Association recommends any font that is easy to read and has a clear distinction between italics and standard font.

Times New Roman and Arial are recommended, but many other fonts work as well. Include a page number in the top right corner of the paper. General tips to keep in mind: The running head is placed in the upper right-hand corner, half an inch from the top margin and one inch from the right margin of the page. Type your last name before the page number. The last name and page number should be separated by a single space. Quite often, the running head begins on the second page, but your instructor may ask you to include the running head on the first page of the assignment.

As always, if your instructor provides you with specific directions, follow his or her guidelines. A page number will appear; your cursor will blink next to it. Move your cursor to the left of the page number. Type your last name. Add a space between your name and the page number. You should now have a properly formatted header on every page! Either: Double-click in the space at the top of the page where the page number is.

In the above example, Dan Gutman is the author of the book that this quote is pulled from. Using footnotes and endnotes The Modern Language Association generally promotes the use of references as described in the sections above, but footnotes and endnotes are also acceptable forms of references to use in your paper. Here are a few scenarios when it may seem appropriate to use this type of referencing: When you are referring to a number of various sources, by various authors, in a section of your paper.

In this situation, it is a good idea to use a footnote or endnote to share information for parenthetical references. This will encourage the reader to stay focused on the text of the research paper, instead of having to read through all of the reference information. These types of footnotes and endnotes are helpful when explaining translations, adding background information, or sharing counterexamples to research. Stay foolish.

To develop a well-written paraphrase, follow these simple, step-by-step instructions. Read the text carefully and make sure you fully comprehend its meaning. A writer can only develop a well-written paraphrase if the information has been fully grasped and understood.

After analyzing and completely understanding the original text, put it to the side. Do not simply substitute words in the original text with synonyms. Show off and demonstrate your ability to process the original information, connect it to the content in your paper, and write it in your own individual and unique writing style.

Include an in-text reference next to the paraphrase. All paraphrases include references, similar to direct quotes. Give yourself a pat on the back! Paraphrasing is an important part of the research and writing process. General Abbreviation Tips When including abbreviations, do not place periods in between capital letters. United States should be US, not U. Digital video disc should be DVD, not D.

For lower case abbreviations, it is acceptable to include periods between the letters. If there is a mix of lower case and upper case letters, do not use periods if the majority of the letters are upper case.