MLA Format Guide - Learn Proper Formatting, Works Cited, and Citations

MLA Format Basics

MLA format, developed by the Modern Language Association, is a style guide for academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides a standardized method for citing sources and formatting papers.

MLA format is widely used in literature, philosophy, and the humanities. It ensures consistency in academic writing by guiding source citations, content organization, and document formatting.

Key Features of MLA Style

• In-Text Citations: MLA format uses parenthetical citations within the text to credit sources, typically including the author's last name and page number.
• Works Cited Page: A separate page at the end of the document where all sources referenced in the text are listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name.
• Uniform Formatting: Consistent use of font, size, margins, and spacing to ensure readability and professionalism.

General MLA Formatting Guidelines

When formatting a paper in MLA style, there are several key guidelines that ensure uniformity and professionalism. 

Font and Size

• Use a legible font, such as Times New Roman.
• The standard size is 12 pt, ensuring readability and consistency across academic papers.

Margins

• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of the document. This creates a clean and uniform appearance and ensures that text is not cut off during printing.

Line Spacing

• The entire document should be double-spaced, including the text, headings, and the Works Cited page. This spacing makes the text easier to read and provides space for comments and corrections.

Running Head and Pagination

• Include a header in the upper right corner of each page with your last name and page number. For example: “Smith 1”.
• Pages should be numbered consecutively, starting from the first page of the text (not the title page or outline). Ensure that page numbers are aligned with the right margin.

Tables and Figures in MLA Format

• Labeling: Label tables and figures as "Table" or "Fig." followed by a number (e.g., Table 1, Fig. 2).
• Title: Place the title of the table or figure directly below the label, in title case.
• Citing: Directly under the table or figure, include the source information or reference in a caption. If the table or figure is not your own, it still requires an in-text citation.
• Placement: Place tables and figures as close as possible to the text they relate to, ensuring they don't interrupt the flow of the text.

Quotations in MLA Format

• Short Quotes: For quotes under four lines, use quotation marks and include an in-text citation immediately after, with the author’s last name and page number (e.g., "Climate change is irreversible" (Smith 23)).
• Block Quotes: For quotes longer than four lines, format them as block quotes by starting on a new line, indenting the entire quote by 0.5 inches, and omitting quotation marks. The in-text citation follows at the end of the block quote, outside the punctuation.

How to Format Title and Headings in MLA

In MLA format, your name, instructor’s name, course, and date should be placed at the top of the first page, aligned to the left. 

MLA does not require a title page, so all this information is included on the first page of your essay, before the title and body of the paper. The format is simple and straightforward, ensuring that all essential details are presented clearly without distracting from the content of the paper.

• Student's Name: Begin with your full name at the top left of the first page.
• Instructor's Name: On the line directly beneath your name, add the instructor’s name.
• Course Name: On the next line, include the course name or number (e.g., ENG 101).
• Date: Below the course name, add the date in day-month-year format (e.g., 12 September 2024).
• Title: After the date, leave a space and center the title of your paper. The title should be in the title case (capitalize the first and last words, and all principal words) without bold, italics, or underline.
• Body of the Paper: After the title, start the body of the paper on the next line, aligned to the left, without any additional spacing.

Example:

How to Format Headings in MLA Format

In MLA, headings can help structure your paper and guide readers through your content. Although MLA doesn’t have specific requirements for headings, it is recommended to use a consistent, readable hierarchy of heading levels.

• Level 1 Heading (Main Heading): Centered, in title case, with no special formatting (no bold, underline, or italics).
• Level 2 Heading (Subheading): Aligned to the left, in title case, and italicized.
• Level 3 Heading (Sub-subheading): Indented, in sentence case, italicized, and followed by a period. The text continues on the same line.

How to Format In-Text Citations in MLA

In-text citations in MLA format are used to credit sources within the body of a paper. 

Here's an MLA format example for in-text citation:

• Direct Quote: "Climate change is reshaping coastal ecosystems at an unprecedented rate" (Smith 123).
• Paraphrasing: According to Smith, coastal ecosystems are undergoing rapid changes due to climate change (123).

If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, only the page number needs to appear in parentheses.

Types of In-Text Citations in MLA

In MLA format, the standard structure for in-text citations is the author-page format. However, other types of in-text citation can also be used. 

Here’s how in-text citations may be given for an MLA style paper:

• Author-Page Format 

The most common format for in-text citations includes the author’s last name and the page number of the source. For example, a direct quote from page 23 of a book written by John Smith would be cited as (Smith 23).

• Multiple Authors

For works with two authors, include both last names in the citation: (Smith and Johnson 45).

For works with three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by et al.: (Smith et al. 45).

• No Author or Anonymous Sources

When there is no author listed, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks for shorter works or italicized for longer works, followed by the page number if available. For example: ("Impact of Climate Change" 45) or (Global Warming Effects 45).

• Citing Online Sources and Paraphrasing

For online sources without page numbers, include just the author’s name in the citation: (Smith). If the author is not available, use a shortened version of the title.

When paraphrasing or summarizing, you still need to provide an in-text citation with the author and page number (if available), even though you’re not directly quoting. 

For example: Smith explains that climate change is drastically affecting coastal regions (23).

Formatting The Works Cited Page in MLA

The Works Cited MLA format page is a list of all the sources that you have referenced in your paper. It is placed on a separate page at the end of your document. 

This works cited list should be arranged in alphabetical order, according to the author's last name or the first item in the citation if there is no author. 

Here are the basic guidelines for MLA format references: 

• Double spacing should be used throughout the entire page, with no extra spaces between entries.
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font to match the rest of the paper.
• Set 1 inch from the left margins on all sides.
• Each entry should follow the hanging indent format, meaning that the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented by half an inch.

Formatting Different Entries

Each type of source—whether it’s a book, article, website, or other material—follows a specific format.

Books

• Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
• Example: Smith, John. The Effects of Climate Change. Penguin Books, 2022.

Articles (Journal, Magazine, or Newspaper)

• Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
• Example: Johnson, Emily. "Coastal Erosion in the Age of Climate Change." Environmental Studies Journal, vol. 45, no. 3, 2021, pp. 123-145.

Websites

• Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of the Webpage." Title of the Website, Publisher (if different from website name), Date of publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
• Example: Thompson, Alex. "How Rising Seas Are Threatening Our Coastlines." Climate Report, 14 May 2023, www.climatereport.com/rising-seas. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023.

Other Sources (Interviews, Films, etc.)

• Interviews: Last Name, First Name of interviewee. Interview. Conducted by First Name Last Name, Date.
• Example: Brown, Sarah. Interview. Conducted by Alex Martin, 4 May 2023.
• Films: Title of the Film. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year.
• Example: The Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Paramount, 2006.

By following these guidelines, you can create a clear and well-organized Works Cited page that ensures your sources are properly credited.

How to Cite Sources in MLA Format

Proper citation formatting in MLA style is essential for crediting sources and avoiding plagiarism. MLA format primarily uses the author-page format for in-text citations and includes a corresponding full citation on the Works Cited page. 

Each type of source, whether it’s a book, article, website, or multimedia, has its own citation structure to follow. Below are guidelines and MLA format samples for citing different entries:

1. Books

When citing a book in MLA, the following elements are required: the author’s name, the title of the book (italicized), the publisher, and the year of publication.

• Format:

Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

• Example:

Smith, John. The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems. Penguin Books, 2022.

2. Journal Articles

For journal articles, you need to include the author’s name, article title (in quotation marks), journal title (italicized), volume and issue number, year of publication, and page numbers.

• Format:

Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.

• Example:

Johnson, Emily. "The Role of Wetlands in Mitigating Climate Change." Environmental Research Journal, vol. 34, no. 2, 2021, pp. 45-67.

3. Websites

For websites, include the author’s name (if available), title of the webpage (in quotation marks), website title (italicized), publication date, URL, and the date you accessed the page.

• Format:

Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of the Webpage." Title of the Website, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

• Example:

Thompson, Alex. "How Rising Sea Levels Are Affecting Coastal Cities." Climate Change Today, 12 June 2023, www.climatechangetoday.com/rising-sea-levels. Accessed 22 Aug. 2023.

4. Films and Multimedia

When citing a film or multimedia source, include the title (italicized), the director’s name, the production company, and the year of release. 

• Format:

Title of the Film. Directed by First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year.

• Example:

The Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Paramount Pictures, 2006.

5. Interviews

For interviews, cite the name of the person interviewed, label it as an interview, and mention who conducted the interview and the date.

• Format:

Last Name, First Name of Interviewee. Interview. Conducted by First Name Last Name, Date.

• Example:

Brown, Sarah. Interview. Conducted by Alex Martin, 4 May 2023.

MLA Format for Specific Types of Papers

Different types of papers can have slightly different guidelines for formatting in any citation style. View these MLA format templates for formatting different types of papers:

How to Format a Research Paper in MLA Style:

Here’s how to do MLA format for research papers:

How to Format an Essay in MLA Style:

View this MLA format essay example:

How to Format Thesis Paper in MLA Style:

Now that you know the basics of MLA formatting, you’re ready to write a well-organized and properly cited paper. 

Understanding how to format titles, headings, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page will help you create a strong, MLA-compliant document. 

If you still need help or find the process challenging, feel free to contact our paper writer online. Our team is here to make sure your paper meets all the required standards.