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MLA Formatting Guidelines

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 Times New Roman ONLY. It must be 12 pt
and no larger!
Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise
instructed by your instructor).
Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of a
paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the left margin.
Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely
necessary, providing emphasis.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested.
In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the
course and period you are in, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
Double space again and center the title. Don't underline your title or put it in quotation
marks; write the title in Title Case, not in all capital letters.
Use quotation marks and underlining or italics when referring to other works in your title,
just as you would in your text, e.g.,
o Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play
o 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 last name/page number header on your first page.
Always follow their guidelines.)

Here is a sample first page of an essay in MLA style:


Doe 1

Jane Doe

Ms. Doring

Freshman English, Period 1

31 October 2013

Centered Title in Heading Caps

This is just a sample of what a paper formatted in MLA style looks like. Remember that

the whole paper is double-spaced. There isnt a lot of extra space available here. Make sure you

read and understand the guidelines and follow the rules to a t as there isnt a couple of ways to

do this. There is only one way to format your paper.

Margins are one inch around the page; double space all text including quotations and

headings. To set margins, go to File and click on Page Setup. Make sure all the margins are

set to 1 and you have unchecked the box for extra space after paragraphs. Indent five spaces

or hit Tab once at the beginning of each paragraph. For a header, go to the top of Word and

click on View. Go down and click on Header and Footer. A dotted box will appear on your

paper. Click on the Right Align button on your tool bar at the top of Word. Type your last name

and then click on the insert page number symbol on the tool bar that appears. Close the tool

box.

Block quotes are required when the quote exceeds four lines indented one inch from the

left margin.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds

Or bends with the remover to remove


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Shorter quotations, most quotes in literary analysis writing, are embedded directly in the

text. Place dialogue inside the quotation marks. Ians excitement could not be contained when

he heard the announcer yell, Its time for Dodger baseball!. When the author is introduced in

the text the page number follows the quotation. Smith reported that the creature walked like a

duck and quacked like a duck (23). Do not use the abbreviation p. or P. for page (nor

pp. or Pp. for pages).

Without an introductory phrase, the author and page are placed together. For example It

was reported that the creature walked like a duck and quacked like a duck (Smith 23). When

citing a quote drawn from several pages in the source, separate page numbers in the citation with

commas. For example, write (Thoreau, Walden 23, 129-31, 144).

The following passage is from the Merchant of Venice (MV). Shylock is speaking: Ill

have my bond; speak not against my bond; I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond (MV

3.3.46-47). Dont forget that all book and play titles are italicized when it is typed. Also, make

sure your paper is typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font. and on 8 x 11-inch white computer

paper. Follow these rules and you wont have to worry about getting in trouble.

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