how to title an essay in mla format

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MLA General Format 

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MLA Style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in writing. MLA Style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. 

Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material produced by other writers. 

If you are asked to use MLA format, be sure to consult the  MLA Handbook  (9th edition). Publishing scholars and graduate students should also consult the  MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing  (3rd edition). The  MLA Handbook  is available in most writing centers and reference libraries. It is also widely available in bookstores, libraries, and at the MLA web site. See the Additional Resources section of this page for a list of helpful books and sites about using MLA Style.

Paper Format

The preparation of papers and manuscripts in MLA Style is covered in part four of the  MLA Style Manual . Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in  MLA Style :

General Guidelines

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Double-space the text of your paper and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are each distinct from one another. The font size should be 12 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise prompted by your instructor).
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the “Tab” key as opposed to pushing the space bar five times.
• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
• Use italics throughout your essay to indicate the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, provide emphasis.
• If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested or the paper is assigned as a group project. In the case of a group project, list all names of the contributors, giving each name its own line in the header, followed by the remaining MLA header requirements as described below. Format the remainder of the page as requested by the instructor.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text. For example:  Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas  as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number. Number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit the last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)

Here is a sample of the first page of a paper in MLA style:

The First Page of an MLA Paper

Section Headings

Writers sometimes use section headings to improve a document’s readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay.

MLA recommends that when dividing an essay into sections you number those sections with an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section name.

MLA does not have a prescribed system of headings for books (for more information on headings, please see page 146 in the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing , 3rd edition). If you are only using one level of headings, meaning that all of the sections are distinct and parallel and have no additional sections that fit within them, MLA recommends that these sections resemble one another grammatically. For instance, if your headings are typically short phrases, make all of the headings short phrases (and not, for example, full sentences). Otherwise, the formatting is up to you. It should, however, be consistent throughout the document.

If you employ multiple levels of headings (some of your sections have sections within sections), you may want to provide a key of your chosen level headings and their formatting to your instructor or editor.

Sample Section Headings

The following sample headings are meant to be used only as a reference. You may employ whatever system of formatting that works best for you so long as it remains consistent throughout the document.

Formatted, unnumbered:

Level 1 Heading: bold, flush left

Level 2 Heading: italics, flush left

Level 3 Heading: centered, bold

Level 4 Heading: centered, italics

Level 5 Heading: underlined, flush left

How To - Use the MLA Style Guide: Formatting Your MLA Paper

• Title of source
• Title of container
• Other contributors
• Publication date
• Optional Elements
• Book with Personal Author(s)
• Book with Editor(s)
• Book with Organization as Author
• Parts of Books
• Government Publication
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Multivolume Works
• Newspaper Article
• Other Formats
• Websites, Social Media, and Email
• Works Cited Practice
• About In-text Citations
• In-text Examples
• How to Paraphrase and Quote
• Formatting Your MLA Paper
• Formatting Your Works Cited List
• MLA Annotated Bibliography
• Using Zotero This link opens in a new window
• Using Mendeley This link opens in a new window
• Citation Styles This link opens in a new window

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).

Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.

Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.

Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.

Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.

Heading and Title

An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:

Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title.  Example:  The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange

Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.

Formatting first page MLA MS Word using a MAC

Formatting first page mla goggle.dox, formatting first page mla ms word using pc, mla format setup in word 2013.

The links below provide step by step instructions on setting up your paper using MLA Style guidelines.

• Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - PC
• Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - MAC

Sample MLA Paper

• MLA Research Paper Template Properly formatted MLA Style research paper. Download and save to your computer so that you will always have the correct format for writing.

There are three sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.

• << Previous: How to Paraphrase and Quote
• Next: Formatting Your Works Cited List >>
• Last Updated: Jan 18, 2024 8:33 AM
• URL: https://libguides.shepherd.edu/Style_GuidesMLA

MLA Style Essay Made Easy: Walkthrough of MLA Formatting

Table of contents

• 1 Understanding MLA Format
• 2.1 Margins & Font
• 2.2 Title Page Requirements
• 2.3 Page Numbering & Headers
• 2.4 Proper Spacing & Indentation
• 3.1 General Guidelines for MLA Citations
• 3.2 The Author Page Citation Format Rule
• 3.3 Standard Citation Format For Print Sources
• 3.4 Citing a Work by Multiple Authors in MLA
• 3.5 MLA Guidelines for Print Sources With Unknown Authors
• 3.6 Citing Works With the Same Last Names
• 3.7 Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in MLA
• 3.8 Citing Multivolume Works in MLA
• 3.9 Citing the Bible
• 3.10 Citing Indirect Sources
• 3.11 Citing Electronic Sources
• 4.1 Proper MLA Formatting of Quotations
• 4.2 Brief Quotations
• 4.3 Long Quotations
• 4.4 Adding or Omitting Words in Quotes
• 5.1 Works Cited Entries in MLA 9th Edition Style
• 5.2 Books and e-Books
• 5.3 Journal Articles
• 5.4 Websites & Online Sources
• 5.5 Films & Multimedia
• 5.6 Interviews & Personal Communication
• 6 Bibliographic & Content Notes
• 7.1 Specific MLA Abbreviations
• 8 Formatting Numbers in MLA
• 9 Lists in MLA
• 10 MLA Formatting Takeaway

The MLA format is the most common type of formatting used for academic papers. Every student in the US should become familiar with this format for the research papers and essays they submit. It should be referred to when citing sources and formatting papers in literature, language, and the arts. This format is crucial for understanding the guidelines of citation. It can also help students present their work in an organized and straightforward manner. Throughout this formatting guide, we’ll explore the key areas of how to write in MLA format effectively.

Understanding MLA Format

Every new high school student asks, “ What is MLA format? “. The Modern Language Association format provides guidelines for formatting styles and citations that students can use for academic writing. It’s mainly used for subjects in humanities and liberal arts. Students must use this type of formatting when writing research papers for languages, literacy studies, visual arts, media studies, and similar courses. Scientific research doesn’t require students to write a paper in MLA format.

The MLA format for papers has been introduced previously. A group of teachers and like-minded students founded the Modern Language Association in 1883. This group’s mission was to promote the studies of language and literature. They developed the original MLA formatting guide to provide a basic outline of how to cover research papers. These MLA paper formatting guidelines were used to help students create organized research papers.

Of course, things have changed a lot since 1883. The MLA Handbook has kept up with the times. It has undergone several revisions and updates throughout the years. The most recent update was in 2021, when the 9th edition of the handbook was released. The MLA 9 essay format edition included valuable information for the modern student, such as citing digital sources. Now, students can also access digital tools for formatting, like the MLA citation generator  and other online resources.

Throughout the years, there has been consistency with the MLA Handbook. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for students who must  properly format your papers  in MLA format and credit sources. Using this format helps students ensure that the presentation of their work is accurate and consistent.

Basic MLA Formatting Guidelines

There are specific criteria every MLA format essay must include. This section will cover some essential MLA formatting rules that every student should become familiar with. These rules are set so that every MLA paper has a consistent layout. They ensure good readability and organization.

Margins & Font

A student should never submit a research paper covered in a font from the top corner to the bottom. Every paper must have a 1-inch margin. The margins for MLA writing format should be on every side of the paper ( one inch from the top, bottom, left, and right ).

Always follow your professor’s instructions for font style and size. If no instructions are stated, the general MLA format font size rule is to use Times New Roman 12-point. You may use a different professional-looking font if your professor has approved it.

Title Page Requirements

The correct MLA format doesn’t require students to craft a title page. Instead of a separate page, students should present the following information in the top left corner of the first page before the first MLA header:

• Student’s name
• Professor’s name
• Course name

This information should always be stated above the paper’s title when writing in MLA format. The title must be entered on the following line. Always ensure the essay title is centered, uses title case-sized font, and double-spacing.

Page Numbering & Headers

The MLA formatting instructions also require students to use the ‘running head’ rule to number their pages. Each separate page of the essay in MLA format will be numbered. The page number will appear in the upper right-hand corner, with the student’s last name in front of it. The first page of the MLA paper should look similar to this:

Campbell- 1

Proper Spacing & Indentation

The MLA format paper should always be double-spaced. The double space leaves room for the professor to add notes. Students also need to use a 1/2-inch indent from the left margin for the first sentence of every paragraph.

In-Text Citations

With every research paper, students must cite their sources using in-text citations. This is how credit can be given to the original author. It’s also a good indicator of where the facts and research came from. The MLA format requirements state that students must use specific guidelines for citing sources.

General Guidelines for MLA Citations

A general citation can be used for print or digital. It will include the author’s last name and page numbers that contain the information. You will only need to reference the page number if you mention the author’s name in the sentence with your citing information.

The Author Page Citation Format Rule

The author page citation format is a simplified version of a general MLA citation. For this one, students only need to state the author’s last name and the page number where the information can be found. The author page citation will look like this:

Standard Citation Format For Print Sources

The MLA formatted paper guidelines are for citing sources from a book or print media. The in-text citation should include the author’s name and the page number with the information. It should also include the book title, edition (if specified), publisher, and year of publication. Here is an example of a standard citation for print.

Last Name, First Name, Book Title, Publisher, Year, Page (or page range)

Citing a Work by Multiple Authors in MLA

Sometimes, a student needs to cite sources that more than one author wrote. How you cite the source will depend on how many authors are included in the work. You can have both names and the page number if there are only two authors. Here is an example:

Barnes and Roth, 37

It’s essential to avoid using too many commas when citing sources. If three or more authors write the work being cited, you will only include some of their names. Instead, you will mention the first author’s last name followed by “et al”. It should look like this:

Barnes et al, 37

MLA Guidelines for Print Sources With Unknown Authors

There may be occasions where a student needs to cite sources that have unknown authors. For these situations, put the title of the work being referenced and the page number. The citation should look like this:

Title Work, 37

Citing Works With the Same Last Names

The MLA format has a very specific rule for citing text written by multiple authors with the same last name. With this type of work, mention the title and the edition number (if applicable) after the last name. Don’t forget to mention the page number as well. Here is an example of what it should look like:

Barnes, Title Work, 3rd ed., 37

Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in MLA

Occasionally, students may need to reference multiple works from the same author. Each piece of work should have its citation. However, students can group them by using the word ‘and’. Here is an example:

(Barnes, Title Work 37) and (Barnes, Text Example 58)

Citing Multivolume Works in MLA

If an author has several volumes of a title piece, you must include the volume number in your citation. This is very easy to do. All that is required is to put the volume number between the author’s name and the page number. It should look like this:

Barnes vol 3 37

Citing the Bible

Citing a passage from the bible is slightly different than other pieces of work. In this citation, the student won’t give credit to an author. Instead, they will mention the verse, chapter, and page. For example:

Matthew 5:3-10

Citing Indirect Sources

According to the MLA Handbook, students should always use material from the source. But, sometimes, this isn’t possible. An indirect quote or indirect source is when you receive the information secondhand. For this type of citation, students should always use “qtd. in” along with the source they read. It should look similar to this:

qtd. in Roth 59

Citing Electronic Sources

When researching papers online, students must provide relevant information about the URL they used. An electronic source citing MLA format should include the following information:

• Author’s name
• Article title
• Website’s name
• Date of access

Here is an example of how to make a webpage citation when citing online sources for essays:

Barnes, Title Work, Webpage Name, 20 October 2023, www.examplesite.com/example123

Quoting and Paraphrasing

Quoting and paraphrasing are common in academic writing. Proper quoting citations with the MLA format is imperative because it helps students avoid plagiarism. If a student needs to reference another person’s idea, they should always use quotes, check  PapersOwl  if you have any doubts. Quotes can help students incorporate the outside information into their work. The MLA Handbook has specific guidelines for using quotes in academic papers.

Proper MLA Formatting of Quotations

Everyone must follow proper formatting rules to avoid plagiarism when writing a paper in MLA format. Luckily, these rules aren’t complicated. The quote should always have a parenthesis at the end that includes the author’s last name and the page number. Another way that’s acceptable to format a quote is if the author’s name and page number are used in the sentence before the quote. Here are two examples of quotation formatting that can be used:

• “This is an example quote.” (Barnes, 37)
• According to Barnes on page 37, this is how you use quotation marks. “Example quote placed here.”

Brief Quotations

A brief quote usually consists of less than three lines of text. The best way to format these quotes is to integrate the author’s name in the sentence leading up to the quote, followed by the exact quote in quotation marks. It should look similar to this sample MLA format:

According to Barnes, “There are many different quotes that can be acceptable to use in academic writing. Students should always use quotes to avoid plagiarism.”

Long Quotations

A long quote will contain three or more lines of text. The formatting for these quotes is different from a brief quote. Students will need to separate the quote from the rest of the paper. After a sentence leading up to the quote, it should begin on the following line (double-spaced). Always indent the quote one inch from the left margin.

Students can approach this quote with a parenthesis at the end of an introductory sentence. Always use the style that works best with the research paper being presented.

The long quotation should look similar to this:

“Every good research paper should include relevant quotes from an author or other professionals. This gives the reader more insight into the topic being discussed. It also helps the student avoid plagiarism when they want to share another person’s idea to support their research topic.”

(Barnes, 37)

Adding or Omitting Words in Quotes

Students may need to add or omit words in the quote for their MLA paper. Extra words may need to be added to a quote to help the reader better understand what the quote is referencing. When adding words to a quote, always add brackets to show that they are separate from the original statement. Here is an example of how and when to add words to a quote:

Original quote: “The new workspace should help them stay productive.”

Quote with added words: “The new workspace should help them [shop employees] stay productive.”

Omitting words could be necessary if the student needs to shorten the text for block quotations. They can keep the quote brief and to the point by omitting words. In this situation, nothing is done to show words have been removed. Quotes should be as original as possible. Only remove words if they add no value to the text. Here is an example of when it’s appropriate to remove words from a quote:

Original quote: “It’s easier to access online games using a mobile app on your smartphone.”

Quote with omitted words: “It’s easier to access games using an app on your smartphone.”

The example above shows that the quote’s message is read similarly to the omitted words. Removing the text doesn’t change the tone or message of the quote. Never omit words if the quote reads differently. For example, removing the phrase “mobile app” from the original quote above would completely change what’s being said.

MLA Works Cited Page Guidelines for Different Types of Sources

The works cited page is used as a reference list. Students will provide all the sources they used to get information for their MLA-style essay. This list aims to help readers locate the sources to verify the information. It proves the students didn’t make up any information shared in their essays.

A proper MLA format for the works cited page will include every resource used during the research process. This will include:

• Newspaper articles
• Magazine articles

Every MLA research paper should contain cited sources in a specific order. This will be further explained in the sections below.

Works Cited Entries in MLA 9th Edition Style

According to the most recent edition of the MLA format for an essay, the cited page should contain a list of sources alphabetically. All authors should be listed from A to Z. For sources with unknown authors, students can use the title to determine where it belongs.

The MLA format requires all sources listed on the cited page to be double-spaced. A hanging indent must be used for each new source added to the list.

Books and e-Books

A specific MLA citation format can be used for referencing information from books and e-books. Every book citation should include the following information in this order:

• Author’s name (last name first- i.e., Barnes, Michael)
• Publication Date
• Book Format (print or e-book)

Here are a few citation examples for books and e-books:

• Hill, Nathan. Wellness: A Novel. Bond Street Books. 2023. Print.
• Sokunbi, Bola. Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money, and Build Real Wealth. Wiley. 2019. E-Book.
• Harris, Jillian and Wesszer, Tori. Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts. Penguin Canada. 2023. Print.

Students can also simplify this process using a  b ook citation generator or other online resources.

Journal Articles

Journal works are frequently referenced in students’ papers. All of the required information must be included when a journal or magazine article is mentioned on the cited list using the MLA research paper format. Every journal article reference should contain the following parenthetical citations in order:

• Author’s last name and first initial ( i.e. Barnes, M )
• Article title: Subtitle (if applicable) in quotation marks
• Journal name
• Volume & issue
• DOI (digital object identifier) for online journals

The following examples show how journal articles should be mentioned on the cited page.

With subtitle: Jones, T. “The Importance of Citing Sources: A Beginner’s Guide To The Cited Page”. Teacher’s Journal Deluxe. Vol 12, no. 3. May, 2017. pp 30-33.

Without subtitle: Barnes, M. “How Professors Want You To Cite Sources”. Academic Journal. Vol 9, no. 11. Sept., 2020. pp 14-15.

Students can also use this format to  cite a newspaper , magazines, and other print articles.

Websites & Online Sources

Students can now access more information online to help them research their essays. Sources online are acceptable as long as the web page is cited using the MLA paper format. When finding online resources, it’s common to come across recycled information. Always use the source to make your cited page as credible as possible. The best type of online sources to use are .gov and .org websites. Using .com/.ca/.co websites is acceptable if it’s a credible source or brand (i.e., www.nationalgeographic.com or www.forbes.com).  Try to avoid citing blogs or social media posts unless you are directly quoting the person posting from the account.

According to the MLA format guidelines, the following information should be stated in order when you make web page citationa  for every research paper:

• Author’s Name (if available)
• Source Title
• Website Title

Here is an MLA format example of how an online source should be cited in the MLA footnotes.

Barnes, Michael. “How To Cite Sources”. Proper Formatting Online, 10 May 2023, www.examplesite.com/how-to-cite-sources .

Films & Multimedia

Since students should use the MLA essay format on art subjects, there may be times when they need to generate citations from Video . This is very common in media studies. When referencing film, always include the following information in order:

• Director’s name
• Production Company
• Year of release
• Format of the source used ( i.e., DVD, Blu-ray, digital )

Here are a couple of examples of how to reference a film on the cited page:

• Craven, Wes, director. Scream. Miramax. 1996. DVD.
• Gerwig, Greta, director. Barbie. Warners Bros. 2023. Google TV.

Students may also reference multimedia posted online, such as YouTube videos. The creator’s name may not be available when referencing an online video. In this situation, it’s acceptable to cite their username. The following information should be cited in order when referencing an online video.

• Creator’s name or username
• Video title (in quotation marks)
• Platform or website name
• Channel (if applicable)
• The date the video was posted

Here is an example of how to generate citations from video through online multimedia:

Warner Bros Entertainment. “Singin’ in the Rain | Good Mornin'”. YouTube. 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyMU8O2B2Vs

A similar format can be used for works cited from podcasts, radio shows, and other online video and audio media.

Interviews & Personal Communication

Certain projects will require students to conduct personal interviews. It’s still necessary to cite sources when using information from interviews. A student can also directly quote their interview subject in the research paper. There are several ways that students can interview people for research. This includes:

• Online chat

Personal interviews and communications are an efficient way to get valuable insight and real information on a topic. Citing these communications is also very easy. Mention the interviewee’s name (last name, first name) followed by the type of communication and the date of contact. Students can also add any other relevant information that could be useful to the reader ( i.e., business name, occupation, etc. ). Here is an example of how a personal interview can be cited:

Richards, Blake. Email Interview. 19 October, 2022.

Forte, Johan. Optometrist. Personal interview. 15 April 2023.

In the second example, the interviewee’s occupation was relevant to the communications. The student provides this information using the MLA format for the research paper to help the reader understand why the quote is relevant to the subject.

Bibliographic & Content Notes

An MLA paper should provide as much information as possible. Bibliographic and content notes are excellent tools. They are a great addition to academic papers because they provide more information on the sources that were used for research. The works cited page should contain basic information about the sources. However, the bibliographic and content notes allow students to provide detailed information on these sources. It’s common for the notes to contain more analyses, context, and commentaries on the topic.

Sometimes, a student wants to provide information about a source that isn’t directly related to the essay’s main topic. For example, they may have read an online article that inspired their idea for the research project. They can cite this source in the content notes and explain why it was important for their piece. They may also want to provide more context about their ideas or experiences that were useful to the research paper.

For example, a student may cite a chapter  in a book that was directly related to information stated in their paper. However, much information was shared in the book that helped craft the essay. In the bibliographic notes, students can provide more context about the content. They can also include notes that will give the reader more insight into how the source relates to the essay’s main topic.

Overall, the main goal of using bibliographic and content notes is to ensure readers thoroughly understand the information. Students can provide their thoughts and crucial information when this section is used effectively. An excellent bibliographic page can also help students establish credibility with their research.

Common MLA Abbreviations

Using abbreviations in-text citations is common because it concisely presents the information. The MLA style cited page should be easy to read. Abbreviations help save space and list the information in a presentable format.

The abbreviations most commonly used in the MLA format are ‘et al.’, ‘vol’, and ‘p’.

• “Et al.” is an abbreviation for et al Ia. This phrase is used to indicate that there were multiple authors credited to the source. Instead of naming each individual, only the first author’s name will be listed, followed by et al.
• “Vol.” is an abbreviation for volume. This is about the volume number of the book, journal, magazine, or other source used.
• “P.” is the abbreviation for page. When one page is listed, it will look like this: p. 12. If a page range is listed, then the abbreviation ‘pp’ will be used, such as pp. 12-18.

Specific MLA Abbreviations

There are MLA abbreviations that are used for specific citations. These are specialized abbreviations that should only be used for certain situations.

“Ibid” is an abbreviation for ibidem. Students may have to use this abbreviation to list multiple citations from the same source. For example, there could be various page numbers that a student needs to cite from one book. In this case, the citation should look like this:

First citation: Barnes 15

Second citation: Ibid 73

“N.d.” is another specific abbreviation. This one should only be used if a publication date is unavailable. Here is an example of how to use the n.d. abbreviation properly:

Barnes, Michael. Example Book. Example Publisher. N.d. Print.

Formatting Numbers in MLA

There are formatting rules for using numbers in research essays and in-text citations. All small numbers (one through nine) should be spelled out. Some examples include one chapter, two cups of sugar, or seven days late.

Once numbers reach the double digits, students should use the Arabic numeral format. Any number above 10 should be printed like this: 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.

The number should always be in Arabic numerals when it comes to measurements, ages, dates, and units. For example: 5 pounds, 15 minutes, 60%, 32 degrees, etc. The Arabic numeral format should also be used when there is a series of numbers, such as 4 children, 8 teenagers, 13 adults, 6 seniors.

Large numbers should be written out. This includes any number separated by commas, like fifty thousand, three million, or a billion.

Sentences that contain mixed numbers will use both numeral and print. It’s essential to remain consistent with how these sentences are worded. Here is a good example:  6 four-year-olds, 8 five-year-olds, 10 six-year-olds, and 4 seven-year-olds attended the birthday party.

Lists in MLA

Students must avoid cramming too much information in one section using the MLA format for paragraphs. MLA recommends lists as a practical way to organize information in essays. Students can use bullet lists or numbered lists. Specific guidelines should be followed to ensure the lists are being used accurately.

Bulleted lists present a list of items in no particular order on separate lines. The list states each item individually, making it easier to read. Here is an example of how a bulleted list could be used:

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup softened butter

Numbered lists are used to present items or information in consecutive order when students write a paper in MLA format. They are commonly to use for directions to be followed. Here is an example of using a numbered list:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix all wet ingredients together.
• In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together.

MLA Formatting Takeaway

The MLA style paper is used for academic papers by students in the US. This format is an excellent way to ensure every written paper has been cited correctly. Students must use parenthetical citations to avoid plagiarism when presenting research. Using the MLA formatting for research papers correctly ensures that every essay submitted is presented in a clear and understandable writing style.

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MLA Format Guide - 9th edition

• Essay Formatting

How to Create a Header

• To add your header, either double-click in the top inch of the page or select the "Insert" tab in Microsoft Word, navigate to the "Header & Footer" section, select "Header," and click the first option titled "Blank."
• When editing your header, navigate to the "Design" tab and check the box beside "Different First Page" as every heading after your first page should only include the page number. 
• Still in the design tab under the "Header & Footer" section, select "Page Number." In the drop-down box, select the first option, labeled "Top of Page," then select the third option labeled "Plain Number 3." Add your last name in front of the page number, and change the font settings to match that of the rest of your paper.
• On the next line, set the text alignment to align your text to the left side of the page (under the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab) and on four different lines type your first and last name, your instructor's name, the course the assignment is for, and the date in the format DD Month YYYY.
• On the next line, center the text (under the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab) and type the title of your paper.

An example of an MLA formatted header is included below.

How to Create a Works Cited Page

You can create your Works Cited page before, during, or after you write your essay. If you do not create it before, be sure to document the sources you used, including any website links, so you can go back and create your citations later. Citation format will be discussed in a later section, but this section will detail how to create a Works Cited Page.

• At the end of your essay, insert a page break (found under the "Insert" tab) and center the words "Works Cited" at the top of your page (not in the header). If there is only one source being cited, type "Work Cited".
• Insert your citations in alphabetical order in the subsequent lines. Make sure they are left aligned.
• If your citation is more than one line, apply the hanging indent feature to everything after the first line for each individual entry. You can do this by selecting the second line of the entry, navigating to the "Home" tab in Microsoft Word, selecting the arrow at the bottom right in the "Paragraph" section to open up the "Paragraph Settings" box, and under the "Indentation" section, select the drop-down box labeled "Special," and choose "Hanging". This will move everything but the first line of your citation slightly to the right.

Other essay formatting notes

When formatting your essay, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Use the correct font as listed under the "Home" tab of this guide. Double-space your text, use 12 pt font, and use a legible font style, such as Times New Roman, Ariel, Calibri, etc., ensuring that the regular and italic font styles are distinct.
• After the first page, only include your last name and the page number in the top right corner of the header.
• Change the paragraph options to remove space before and after all paragraphs. Select the entire essay (you can use the Ctrl + A feature), and in the "Paragraph" section of the "Home" tab, select the drop-down arrow where you can adjust the line spacing and make sure both selections at the bottom of the drop-down box read "Add Space Before Paragraph" and "Add Space After Paragraph". If they say "Remove Space Before Paragraph" and/or "Remove Space After Paragraph," click to remove the space.
• On the last page, include a Works Cited page with your citations listed in alphabetical order.
• Last Updated: Oct 13, 2023 9:40 AM
• URL: https://uaccm.libguides.com/what_is_MLA_style

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• MLA Style 8th Edition Guide Videos

MLA 8th Edition: Formatting Titles

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In this video, we will discuss formatting of titles for any and all sources.

When copying a title or subtitle, capitalize the first word, last word, and all principal words. This includes nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions are words like after, if, until.

Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, or coordinating conjunctions if they fall in the middle of the title. These are words like “the”  “as” or ”in” as well as “and”/”but”

Most titles should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. In general, italicize the titles of sources that are self-contained and independent, like book titles. Use quotation marks around titles of sources that are contained in larger works, like journal articles.

When referring to a title in your discussion, state the title in full (however, you can omit a nonessential subtitles). After stating the full title at least once, you may use any obvious or familiar abbreviations.

Here are a few rules for dealing with titles within titles:

• Italicize the title normally indicated by italics when it appears within a title enclosed in quotation marks.
• When a title normally indicated by quotation marks appears within another title requiring quotation marks, enclose the inner title in single quotation marks.
• Use quotation marks around a title normally indicated by quotation marks when it appears within an italicized title.

For titles of sources in languages other than English, provide a translation in parenthesis if possible.

Please see the MLA manual for further instructions regarding formatting of titles in other languages, or for more information on anything else we’ve touched upon in this video.

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MLA Style Guide

• How Do I Format My Paper?
• How Do I Format My Works Cited Page?
• In-Text Citations
• Using Numbers

Guidelines for Formatting your Paper

• Double space your paper including the header and the Works Cited
• Use Times New Roman, size 12.
• Leave only one space after punctuation marks at the end of sentences.
• Use italics for the titles of books or magazines. Enclose poems or articles in quotation marks.
• Create a header on the first page of your paper, which is right justified your last name and page number.  
• your teacher’s name
• the name of the class (AP US History)
• the date your paper is due. (Day-Month-Year)
• Skip a line between the header and the title.
• The title should define the assignment or the topic of the paper. It should not be the title of the book, poem, essay, or short story about which you are writing. Your title should not be bolded, underlined or italicized. Type your title in the same font, size, and style as the rest of your paper.

If you are not sure whether your paper is formatted correctly, talk to your teacher or a librarian!

Example of a Properly Formatted Paper

  Example of an MLA Formatted First Page

On page two, and all subsequent pages, number your pages on the top right hand side of your paper with your last name and page number. The page header should appear on every page of your paper except the first page. 

  Example of MLA Formatted Second and Subsequent Pages    

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• Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023 11:33 AM
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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Format the Source Title in an MLA 8 Citation

How to Format the Source Title in an MLA 8 Citation

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Remember that MLA 8 standardizes the citation formatting, making it easier to cite your sources. The following is a guide to citing different types of titles using MLA 8. If you are looking for information on how to format the title of your own paper, see this guide on creating an MLA title page .

How to Cite Book Titles in MLA 8

When citing book titles using the MLA 8 format, always enter the full title, in italics, followed by a period.  

The citation format is as follows:

Last Name, First Name. Italicized Title . Publisher, Publication Year.

The full citation might look like this:

Sparks, Nicholas. The Notebook. Warner Books, 1996.

If there is a subtitle, place it after the title, using a colon to separate them.  The subtitle should also be in italics.

Last Name, First Name. Italicized Title : SubTitle. Publisher,

Publication Year.

Weiland, K.M. Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an

Outstanding Story. PenForASword, 2013.

If the source is part of a larger work, such as an essay, chapter, short story, or poem, place the title in quotation marks, making sure to put a period at the end of the title. Follow it with the title of the larger work, in italics, with a comma at the end.  

Last Name, First Name. “Title.” Italicized Larger Work Title, Editor first 

and last name, Publisher, Publication Year, Page Numbers.

Langer, A.J. “Lessons in Friendships.” Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul:

101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning, edited by Jack Canfield, et al.,

Simon & Schuster, 1997, pp. 56-62.

How to Cite Periodical Titles in MLA 8

When citing periodicals in MLA 8, place the title of the article in quotes, with a period at the end of the title. The italicized title of the periodical follows, along with a comma.

Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Periodical Title,  

Publication Year, Page Numbers.

Barack, Lauren. “Y is for Yoga: Libraries Embrace the Practice to

Ease Stress and Promote Literacy.” The School Library Journal,

January 2015, pp. 23-28.

How to Cite Television Shows in MLA 8

If you’re citing a television show, place the title of the episode first, followed by a period. The title of the series follows in italics, along with a comma.

“Title of the Episode.” Title of the Series, Author of the show,

Season Number, Episode Number, Network, Air Date.

“Dunder Mifflin Infinity.” The Office, written by Michael Schur,

season 4, episode 3, NBC, 2007.

How to Cite Websites in MLA 8

These days, much of our information comes from digital resources such as websites. When citing websites, place the title of the article in quotation marks, with a period at the end of the title. Follow with the name of the website in italics, followed by a comma, and ending with the website URL.  

“Title of the Article.” Name of the Website, Publication date, URL.

“MLA Format: Everything You Need to Know Here.” EasyBib, 25 July 2021,

https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/ .

How to Cite Songs in MLA 8

If you need to cite a song, place the title of the song in quotation marks, with a period at the end of the title.  Follow with the title of the album in italics, with a comma at the end.

Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Record Company, Release Year.

Sinatra, Frank. “Summer Wind.” Strangers in the Night, Reprise, 1966.

How to Cite Untitled Works in MLA 8

If a source doesn’t have a title, include the creator of the source and a brief description. Do not italicize or place this information in quotation marks.

Last Name, First Name. Description of the work. Year, Location of the Work, City, State.

Johnson, Sarah. Painting of a horse. 1984, Bronx, NY.

How to Cite Email Messages in MLA 8

When citing email messages in MLA 8, the subject of the email is the title. Place the title in quotation marks, with a period at the end of the subject.

Sender Last Name, Sender First Name. “Subject of the Email.” Receiver First Name and Last Name, Date Sent.

Morgan, Michael. “Re: Meeting this Afternoon.” Received by Michele Kirschenbaum, 18 April 2016.

Including Titles in In-Text Citations

According to MLA 8 guidelines, in-text citations should include the author’s surname and the page number, formatted as (Smith 12). Therefore, it is not usually necessary to include the title in your in-text citation.

However, there are some situations where you would need to include the title in your in-text citation, for example, if the source you are citing does not have an author listed. In that case, you would replace the author’s name with the title of the source, formatted the same way as in the full bibliography citation (i.e., if the title in the full citation is in quotation marks, it should be in quotation marks in the in-text citation). If the title is long, it can be shortened as needed.

Full citation:

“Annotated Bibliography Format & Examples” EasyBib, 7 July 2022,

https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/citation-basics/annotated-bibliographies/ .

In-text citation:

( “ Annotated Bibliography ” )

For more information, see this guide on MLA in-text citations .

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