Type the paper using Times New Roman 12 point font (or another common, legible font). Lines should be double-spaced with only one space after punctuation.
Set the margins of your essay to 1 inch on all sides. Include a header with consecutive page numbers in the top-right corner, half an inch from the top of the paper. The page number may or may not be included on the first page, but it should always be counted in the numbering. The header may also include your last name or another identifier.
Do not create a separate title page unless it is required. Instead, in the upper-left corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, your course title and the date, each on a separate line, double-spaced. Center your title on the page in title case letters with no underline, bold or italics. On the next line down, begin the body text with a half inch indentation (tab).
Label section headings with a numeral, period, space and the section heading name. Section headings are not required, but if they are used, the formatting, including for sub-headers, should be consistent.
For example,
1. History
Create a Works Cited list as a separate page at the end of your essay. It should have the same margins, double-spacing and header as the other pages, and should have the title "Works Cited" centered at the top of the page with no quotation marks. Indent the second and subsequent lines of each entry half an inch to create a hanging indent.
Use proper quotation formats and in-text citations throughout the body of the essay. The format will depend upon the context and the source material. Use an MLA reference guide for complete instructions on citations.