MLA Format

Downloadable version (Microsoft Word document)

The MLA (Modern Language Association) documentation format is used in the humanities. It emphasizes simplicity. This handout is a summary of MLA’s basic formatting style. For more specific questions, refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (page numbers refer to the sixth edition).

 

Page Format

Spacing. Indent one half inch to begin paragraphs. Double space all text, including block quotations and the works cited page.

Numbering. Number all pages (first page through the works cited page). Your last name and the page number should be in the upper right corner, one half inch from the top of the page. Do not use punctuation, the letter p (as an abreviation of “page”), or other symbols in your headers; simply include your last name, a space, and the page number.

Margins. Except for page numbers, leave one-inch margins on the top, bottom, left, and right. Justify the left margin but not the right.

Headings, Title, and First Line. On the first page of text, include the following information one inch from the top, flush left: your name, instructor's name, course number, and date. Each of these items is placed on a separate line (and remember that the entire paper is double spaced). Center your title. Begin text on the next line after the title (see pages 132-34).

 

In-Text Documentation

In the body of your paper, each quotation, summary, or paraphrase must be accompanied by a reference (in parentheses) to its source.

If you have mentioned the author's name in your text, include only the page number as your reference (33). If the author's name is not used, include the author's last name, a space, and the page number (Hall 33); do not use punctuation or the letter p in the parenthetical reference. For poetry, cite line numbers (6-10). For long works of poetry with several sections, such as The Iliad, include the section or book number, and the line numbers (24.125) (see pages 113-14).

Punctuation for the sentence comes after the reference (Hall 34). However, when a quotation ends with punctuation other than a period, such as a question mark, end the quotation with the given punctuation inside the quotation marks, and then place a period after the parenthetical reference (see pages 120-21).

 

Quotations (Quote exactly as the passage appears in the text)

Additions and omissions. If you must make additions for clarification, include your own words in [square] brackets. You may also use ellipses (. . .) to omit words or phrases.

Block quotes. A quote should be put in block format if it is longer than four lines. Introduce the quote with a colon, not a comma. Indent the entire quotation ten spaces or one inch from left margin only—the right margin remains the same as the rest of the paper. Do not use quotation marks. Remember, the entire paper is double-spaced. At the end of the quotation, punctuation is followed by 2 spaces, then the parenthetical reference. (32) (see pages 109-14)

Works Cited

Format. This is the last page of your paper—also double spaced. It includes your header with its appropriate page number in sequence. Title the page "Works Cited" and alphabetize all entries. Each entry should be formatted with a hanging indent (indented 1/2 inch on the second and all subsequent lines). (see pages 145-46)

Citations. Below are some examples of common types of sources and how to document them. For more information on the works cited list, see the MLA Handbook (chapter 5).

Book With One Author:

Wouk, Herman. War and Remembrance. New York: Pocket, 1971.

Book With More Than One Author:

Houp, Kenneth, Thomas Pearsall, and Elizabeth Tebeaux. Reporting Technical Information. 8th ed. Needham Heights, MA: Norton, 1995.

Journal Article:

Bodner, George R. “The Apple Ate My Paper.” College English 46 (1984): 610-11.

Magazine Article:

Moritz, Michael. “A Hard-Core Technoid.” Time 16 Apr. 1984: 62-63.

Internet Source:

Knox, Brenda. “The Don Quixote Exhibit.” May 1996. Johns Hopkins University. 1 June 2004 <http://quixote.mse.jhu.edu>.

i.e.: [Creator’s name (last, then first and middle). “Document title.” Month and year of last published change. Institution or organization sponsoring the site. Date of access (day month year) <URL>.] See section 5.9 (page 207-35, mostly 214-15) for variations on internet citation.

Revised by James Gunter and Danny Nelson, summer 2004