What is MLA Format?

MLA format is a set of documentation guidelines established by the Modern Language Association (MLA). It is widely used in the humanities, particularly in language, literature, and cultural studies. MLA format provides a consistent structure for academic papers, making them easy to read and navigate.

Key Elements of MLA Format

Page Layout

• 1-inch margins on all sides
• 12-point Times New Roman font (or other readable font)
• Double-spaced throughout
• Left-aligned text (no right justification)
• First-line indent of 0.5 inches for each paragraph

First-Page Heading

MLA papers do not require a separate title page. Instead, the first page includes a heading in the top-left corner:

• Your full name
• Your instructor's name
• The course name
• The date (in Day Month Year format)

Title

The paper title appears centered on the line below the heading. The title is not bolded, underlined, or placed in quotation marks. It uses the same font and spacing as the rest of the paper.

Running Header

Every page includes a running header in the top-right corner with your last name and the page number, separated by a space (e.g., Smith 1). The header is 0.5 inches from the top edge of the page.

In-Text Citations

MLA uses parenthetical citations that include the author's last name and the page number: (Smith 42). If no author is available, use a shortened title. If no page numbers are available (as with many web sources), just use the author name.

Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page appears at the end of the paper on a new page. It lists all sources cited in the paper, formatted with hanging indents (the first line is flush left, subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches). Entries are alphabetized by the author's last name.