MLA Style Guide

Margins, Fonts, and Indents - MLA 9, 1.1 Margins, 1.2 Text Formatting

1" margins on all sides.

Exceptions (in instructions by professor)

• 1.5" left margin and .5" right margin - used for binding a document.
• 2" margin on one side - for instructor comments on a rough draft

• An easily readable typeface (Times New Romans is one example)
• 11 to 13 point (10 point in notes or below tables and figures)
• Same font and size throughout paper

1/2" indentation used at beginning of paragraph

Title Page Format - MLA 9, 1.3 Title

Title pages are not required in MLA. If instructed by professor, use their instructions.

Running Headers - MLA 9, 1.4 Running Head and Page Numbers

Appears on all pages.

Last name and consecutive page numbers are flush right and 1/2" from top of paper.

Last name, capitalized, one space, and the page number. No "p." or "pg.", just the numeral. If multiple authors, then include all last names. If that does not fit in the header, then just enter the page number.

example 1

Jung 14

example 2

Jung, Sinnott, Leahy, Ralston 23

Spacing - MLA 9, 1.2 Text Formatting

Double space. No extra line between paragraphs.

Double space, even within a citation.

Double space the quotation.

Block Quotations - MLA 9, 6.35 and 6.38 Long Quotations (block quotations)

• Four or more lines of text.
• No quotation marks.
• Double spaced.
• Entire quotation is indented 1/2" from left margin.
• Citation comes after closing punctuation. No punctuation follows the citation.

Levels of Headings - MLA 9, 1.3 Title and 1.5 Internal Headings and Subheadings

Title - Centered and Upper and Lowercase Heading (also called title case - see 2.90 for capitalization)

Headings are not required or defined by MLA, but they have recommendations. Consistency of headings and subheadings is important. Each heading used should be used at least twice.

All headings should be flush with left margin, not indented or centered. Capitalize and punctuate like titles of works.

Heading Level 1 is Bold, Flush Left, Title-Style Capitalization

Heading Level 2 is Flush Left, Title-Style Capitalization

Heading Level 3 is Italicized, Flush Left, Title-Style Capitalization

Citation Placement - MLA 9, 6.43 Placement of Parenthetical Citations

The citation should be placed where there is a pause in the text. It is often best at the end of the sentence, just before the final punctuation (MLA 260). The citation itself is placed in parentheses. No punctuation is needed, unless needed for clarification.

If there is a quotation, then the citation goes after the quotation mark, but before the final punctuation.

The citation is to direct the person to the proper entry on the reference page. The first element in the parentheses should be the first word of the entry on the reference page, usually an author's last name.

List of Works Cited - MLA 9, 1.6 Placement of the List of Works Cited

• End of paper, after any endnotes, but before "back matter"
• Title of reference page is centered and in upper and lowercase (either Works Cited or Works Consulted depending on instructions)
• Double space entries
• First line is flush to left margin; subsequent lines indented 1/2" (also called "hanging indent")
• Entries arranged alphabetically by first element in citation (typically an author's last name)