Formatting a College Essay — MLA Style
are not typically written in MLA format for a . The formatting style largely depends on the institution and prompt at hand or leaves it up to the applicant's jurisdiction. However, many colleges and universities commonly use the Modern Language Association (MLA) format for academic papers in disciplines related to the humanities and liberal arts.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your title block (not a separate title page; just a section at the top of the first page) makes an impression on the reader. If correctly formatted with each element of information in its proper place, form, and format, it says to the reader that you mean business, that you are a professional, and that you take your work seriously, so it should, in turn, be seriously considered. Your title block in MLA style contributes to your credibility. Remember that your writing represents you in your absence, and the title block is the tailored suit or outfit that represents you best. That said, sometimes a separate title page is necessary, but it is best both to know how to properly format a title block or page in MLA style and to ask your instructor if it is included as part of the assignment. You must cite your sources as you use them. In the same way that a table or figure should be located right next to the sentence that discusses it (see the previous example), parenthetical citations, or citations enclosed in parenthesis that appear in the text, are required. You need to cite all your information. If someone else wrote it, said it, drew it, demonstrated it, or otherwise expressed it, you need to cite it. The exception to this statement is common, widespread knowledge. For example, if you search online for MLA resources, and specifically MLA sample papers, you will find many similar discussions on MLA style. MLA is a style and cannot be copyrighted because it is a style, but the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook can be copyright protected. If you reference a specific page in that handbook, you need to indicate it. If you write about a general MLA style issue that is commonly covered or addressed in multiple sources, you do not. When in doubt, reference the specific resource you used to write your essay. Now let’s transition from a general discussion on the advantages of MLA style to what we are required to do to write a standard academic essay. We will first examine a general “to do” list, then review a few “do not” suggestions, and finally take a tour through a sample of MLA features. Links to sample MLA papers are located at the end of this section. Writing a paper in MLA does not have to be hard. In fact, several resources are committed to making your life easier. Look into online tools or citation generators that can help you correctly format your essays in MLA style. These tools were created as templates for formatting your paper, generating in-text citations, and creating a works cited page. is one resource many students use for checking MLA formatting. After the body of your paper comes the works cited page. It features the reference sources used in your essay. List the sources alphabetically by last name, or list them by title if the author is not known as is often the case of web-based articles. You will find links to examples of the works cited page in several of the sample MLA essays at the end of this section. When using MLA format, always pay attention to details such as font size, margins, and line spacing. These seemingly small elements contribute to the overall presentation of your paper and can make a difference in how your readers and instructors perceive your work.
An MLA format follows the listed rules:
If you are going to the US style, be consistent in its use. You’ll find you have the option on page 83 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition. You have many options when writing in English as the language itself has several conventions, or acceptable ways of writing particular parts of speech or information. For example, on the next page our MLA Handbook addresses the question:
Look online to see samples of a properly formatted MLA essay.
The best way to master MLA format is to practice using it regularly. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines by applying them to your essays and research papers. The more you use MLA format, the easier it will become.
To use MLA format in an essay, consider the following:
The MLA Style Center website has a great page that explains how to format a paper in MLA style. Their page, , explains how to format margins, text, headers and footers, page numbers, works cited, etc. Please consult the website and ask your professor to see how you should format your paper.
MLA citations have nine core elements:
When it comes to academic writing, following the appropriate formatting guidelines is crucial. You most likely will come across MLA format in at least one of your essays, given that it is one of the most commonly used styles for writing essays. Since it's standardized, if any part is arrayed, including citing sources, formatting the paper, and creating a works cited page, it might be noticed quickly.
Exercise 1: MLA In-text Citations
The header in MLA format plays a significant role in organizing your essay. This specific header appears on every page and contains your last name and page number. For example, Smith 1. The header should be aligned to the right on the very top, providing a clear distinction between the header and the main text.