MLA MLA FormattinFormattin

ggFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING

RESEARCH PAPERS

In other words, how to make an a+ in your mechanics

AA++

MLA MLA

It stands It stands for.for.Modern Language Association

Style most common Style most common format for writing format for writing research papers in research papers in high high schoolsschools and universities, and universities, especially for especially for English English and Social studiesand Social studies. .

FormattFormattingingThe format of a paper is The format of a paper is

its general appearance its general appearance with regard to with regard to marginsmargins, , type font type font & & sizesize, , spacingspacing, & , & paper sizepaper size..

General General GuidelinesGuidelines

Use white 8.5 x 11 Use white 8.5 x 11 inch paper.inch paper.

Double space.Double space.

Use Times New Use Times New Roman.Roman.

Use size 12 font. Use size 12 font.

Single space after all Single space after all punctuation marks, punctuation marks, including periods. including periods.

Single space after all Single space after all punctuation marks, punctuation marks, including periods. including periods.

Set your margins to 1 inch on Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.all sides.

Single space after all Single space after all punctuation marks, punctuation marks, including periods. including periods.

Set your margins to 1 inch on Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.all sides.

Underline or use italics for Underline or use italics for the titles of any longer the titles of any longer works appearing in your works appearing in your papers.papers.

Single space after all punctuation Single space after all punctuation marks, including periods. marks, including periods.

Set your margins to 1 inch on all Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides.sides.

Underline or use italics for the titles Underline or use italics for the titles of any longer works appearing in of any longer works appearing in your papers.your papers.

For example: The novel, For example: The novel, War and War and PeacePeace, by Leo Tolstoy, has 1315 , by Leo Tolstoy, has 1315 pages.pages.

War and PeaceWar and Peace is very long is very long..

Number your Number your pages in the pages in the

upper right hand upper right hand corner with your corner with your

last name. last name.

CHOOSE: HEADER FOOTER

Then type your last name

HIT SPACE! Hit the first button for PAGE #

Move your curser to the front of your last name

HIT TAB TWICE!

Hit close

Guidelines for the Guidelines for the First PageFirst Page Do not use a title page.Do not use a title page.

List your name, your teacher’s name, the List your name, your teacher’s name, the course name, and the date in the upper course name, and the date in the upper left corner. Double space between them.left corner. Double space between them.

Double space before writing the title.Double space before writing the title.

Center the title. Capitalize only the major Center the title. Capitalize only the major words. words. Do notDo not underline it, put it in underline it, put it in quotations, or put it in all capital letters.quotations, or put it in all capital letters.

Double space between the title and the Double space between the title and the first paragraphfirst paragraph..

Indent the first word of each paragraph 5 spacesIndent the first word of each paragraph 5 spaces

(1/2 inch) (1/2 inch) or or (hit tab once).(hit tab once).

Double space between the title and Double space between the title and the first paragraphthe first paragraph..

Works Cited & Works Cited & Reference PagesReference PagesA works cited page A works cited page

lists only works that lists only works that have been cited have been cited within the text of within the text of your paper.your paper.

Begin your works cited page on a Begin your works cited page on a new page at the end of your new page at the end of your paper.paper.

Center the words Works Cited at the Center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.top of the page.

Alphabetize your entries.Alphabetize your entries.

Place the first line of the entry next Place the first line of the entry next to the margin. Indent subsequent to the margin. Indent subsequent lines 1/2 inch.lines 1/2 inch.

Double space. Do not skip extra Double space. Do not skip extra lines between entries.lines between entries.

Format for Format for EntriesEntriesFor a book with one author:For a book with one author:

Lastname, Firstname. Lastname, Firstname. Title of BookTitle of Book. . Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of

Publication. Publication.

Gilbert, Richard. Gilbert, Richard. CaffeineCaffeine. New York: . New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.

This is a hanging indent

This is a hanging indent