MLA Formatting and Style LibGuide: Welcome

What is MLA?

MLA is a style of formatting and documenting sources established by the Modern Language Association. MLA is typically used when writing in the humanities fields.

Standards such as these may seem like a hassle, but they are very important in scholarly writing, for both consistency and readability.

This is the format you will be writing your Comp I and Comp II pages.  Your instructor will inform you what writing style to use.

MLA General Guidelines

• Papers should be typed on a computer using a word processing application, and printed out on standard, plain white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
   
• Papers should be double-spaced.
   
• Choose a readable 12 pt. font
  (most professors request that you use Times New Roman).
  • Specifically, MLA recommends that the font chosen should be one that easily allows the regular and italics type to be discernible from one another.
     
• Leave only one space between sentences.
   
• The margins of your document should be set to 1 inch on all sides.
   
• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin using the Tab key.
   
• Add page numbers to all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top of the page and aligned to the right margin. 
  • Page numbers should include your last name (e.g. Laveck 1) to prevent your pages from becoming lost should they detach from one another.
  • Occassionaly an instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's conventions.
     
• Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of works. Italics for the purpose of emphasis should be used very sparingly.

Do you need help with APA Style? Visit this LibGuide!

Do you need help with Chicago Style? Visit this LibGuide!