MLA Writing Standards

The Modern Language Association style is frequently used for papers and essays that explore the humanities. MLA style is characterized by brief in-text citations that include author names and page references and a list of works cited.
  1. First Page Formatting Guidelines

    • Place your name, your teacher's name, class title and the date, each on a separate line and double-spaced, in the upper left-hand corner. Create a header that will display your last name and page number on the top of each page. Be sure to align this header on the right side of the page. Do not create a separate title page unless instructed to do so by your teacher.

    Basic In-Text Citations

    • Insert the author's last name and the source page number inside parentheses following the citation. For example: Some physical trainers recommend high-protein diets (Doe 32).

    Works Cited Page Guidelines

    • Begin on a new page. Arrange entries alphabetically by author's last name. For entries that do not use an author's name, alphabetize according to the first piece of information presented in the record. Create hanging indents that place three to five spaces or 1/2 inch before each subsequent line of an entry.

    Basic Works Cited Entries

    • For books, list the author's name followed by the title of the book in italics. Include the publisher's name, place and year of publication followed by publishing medium. Here's an example: Kaysen, Susanna. Girl, Interrupted. New York: Vintage Books, 1994. Print.

      Periodicals follow the same format, however, instead of book name and publishing information, a periodical entry includes the title of the article in quotation marks, the title of the publication italicized, the date of publication and the relevant page numbers, followed by the medium. For example: Brown, Rae. "IMC Techniques for Small Businesses." Nevada Business Day June 2002: 5-6. Print.

      Entries for web pages should include the page name, site address, publisher, medium and publishing date. Here's an example: "How to Cut Bettie Page Bangs." ehow.com, eHow, n.d. Web. 27 July 2010.

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