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Citation: MLA Formatting Basics

A guide to citation resources

MLA Paper Formatting Basics

For a more comprehensive formatting guide, please see the example paper on Purdue Owl.

  • The entire paper should have 1 inch margins on all sides (top, right, left, bottom)
  • The entire paper should be Times New Roman, 12-point font, double spaced
  • Begin the paper with your name, the professor’s name, the course number, and the date of the paper in the top left. Date should be listed as: day, month, year.
  • Page numbers begin on page 1 and end on the final page. Type your last name next to the page number in the header so it appears on every page
  • Titles are centered on the page, 12-point font. Do NOT bold, underline, or italicize the title.

Footnotes/Endnotes

  • Footnotes and endnotes are not often employed in MLA formatting
  • Use footnotes and endnotes only for bibliographic notes
    • For example: State which pages and sources the reader should consult for further information.
  • Use in-text Arabic superscript numbers after the punctuation of a phrase or clause, or before a dash, to which the note is referring
  • Create a separate “Notes” page for endnotes.
    • List all the notes there.
    • After the Works Cited Page
    • First line of each note is indented 5 spaces

Quotations

  • If you add additional words to a quote to increase clarification, place those words in brackets [ ]
  • If you eliminate words from a quote, use an ellipsis …
  • Short Quotes
    • Use quotation marks “” around the direct quote you’re using
    • At the end of the quote, include the in-text citation
    • Punctuation marks:
      • Periods, commas, and semicolons appear AFTER the parenthesis of the in-text citation
      • Exclamation points and questions marks that are part of the direct quote should appear inside the quotation marks; if they’re a part of your own text, place them after the in-text citation
  • Long Quotes
    • A quote that is 4 lines or more is considered a long quotation
    • State long quotes on a new line
    • Indent the entire quote 1/2 inch from the left
    • Punctuation marks appear BEFORE the in-text citation
    • Do NOT include quotation marks around the quote

 

 

Section Headings

  • Used to improve readability
  • May be individual chapters
  • Example of way to distinguish between the different sections/headings:
    • Level 1: bold, flush left
    • Level 2: italtics, flush left
    • Level 3: centered, bold
    • Level 4: centered, italics
    • Level 5: underlined, flush left