MLA style essay formatting

Formatting an essay in MLA (Modern Language Association) style is standard for humanities courses, such as English literature, art, and cultural studies.

The essential guidelines to format your essay correctly according to MLA standards (9th edition) include:

1. General Document Setup

• Paper Size: Standard letter size ($8.5 \times 11$ inches).
• Margins: Set 1 inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
• Font: Use a legible, standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri) in 12-point size.
• Spacing: Double-space the entire document, including block quotes, titles, and the Works Cited page. Do not add extra spaces between paragraphs.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches (use the Tab key, not the spacebar).
• Alignment: Left-align the text (do not justify the right margin).
• Running Head / Page Numbers: Create a header in the upper right-hand corner, 0.5 inches from the top, featuring your last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 1). This should appear on every page.

2. First Page / Title Block

Unlike APA style, MLA does not require a separate title page unless specifically requested by your instructor. Instead, include a four-line block in the upper left-hand corner of the first page:

1. Your Name
2. Instructor’s Name
3. Course Name/Number
4. Date (Day Month Year format, e.g., 14 May 2026)

• Title: Skip one double-spaced line below the date block and center your title. Use standard capitalization (do not underline, bold, or put your title in all-caps unless it includes a subtitle). Skip another double-spaced line before starting the first paragraph of your essay.

3. In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Citations)

Whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize another author’s work, you must credit them in the text. MLA uses an author-page style:

• Basic format: (Author Last Name Page Number)Example: Wordsworth stated that romantic poetry was “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).
• If the author’s name is already in your sentence: Only include the page number in parentheses.Example: Wordsworth stated that romantic poetry was “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).
• No page numbers (digital sources): If the source has no page numbers (like some websites), use the author’s name or a shortened title.

4. Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page begins on a new page at the very end of your paper.

• Title: Center the title Works Cited at the top of the page (do not bold, italicize, or underline it).
• Formatting: Alphabetize your entries by the author’s last name.
• Hanging Indent: Use a hanging indent for every entry—meaning the first line of each citation is flush left, and every subsequent line is indented 0.5 inches.
• Core Elements Template: Most entries follow this general order:Author. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.