How to Site Footnotes in a Paper in MLA Format

Though MLA style does not require footnotes, you may occasionally need them to provide information beyond that given in the main text. The "MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers" allows only for bibliographical and explanatory footnotes. Bibliographical footnotes direct the reader to a work in the reference list for further reading on the subject, while explanatory footnotes give additional information that is not essential to the main text. Use the same format for both types of footnotes.

Instructions

    • 1

      Insert two double-spaced lines below the text on the page with the information that requires a footnote.

    • 2

      Press the tab key; then type a numeral followed a period to begin the footnote. Number footnotes consecutively throughout the paper, beginning with "1."

    • 3

      Type the footnotes single-spaced and left align all lines of text other than the first line of each footnote. Include the author's name and relevant page numbers in a bibliographical footnote. For example, "2. See Jones and Smith, 50-60, for further discussion." Use a parenthetical citation to indicate the source of an explanatory footnote. For example, "3. The researcher held this position throughout her career (Brown, 43)."

    • 4

      Use a superscripted numeral to refer to a footnote in the main text. Place the numeral after the punctuation following the relevant phrase, unless the punctuation is a long dash. For example, "the researchers followed this trail of inquiry later,[4] with few results" or "the researchers followed this trail of inquiry later[4] -- with few results."

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