Young scholars deal with many tasks simultaneously, and they have to embrace all kinds of new knowledge and concepts relatively quickly. MLA format style is certainly one of those little things that can trouble the minds of students to a great extent.
MLA style is mostly used in the field of humanities, especially in English literature, composition, and cultural studies. It's a common feature in most universities to require students to submit papers formatted in MLA style. The reason is simple - this format is clear, concise, and easy to follow.
However, it consists of many little details that can easily confuse a student who is not familiar with them. After all, with so much academic work left for you to do, who has time to waste on studying style guides?
MLA format guidelines pose lots of questions - from what font size to use to how to structure the header. So, how to style an essay with MLA format? In this post, we will try to give you a helping hand by providing some tips on how to style your essay in MLA format. We'll also share some tips and tricks that will help you save time and avoid common mistakes.
Keep reading if you want to learn how to write a MLA paper!
We need to start from scratch and explain the concept itself. MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, a professional organization that deals with language and literature. The MLA format is a writing style guide that has been widely accepted by schools, publishers, and individuals in the publishing industry.
It provides guidelines for writing essays and research papers in this format.
The MLA format essay refers to the writing style that is most commonly used in the field of humanities. Unlike other writing styles, MLA does not require a title page or an abstract. It consists of the following details:
MLA style essay format is rowdy, simple to use, and easy to remember. Once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature. But even if you don't get used to it, don't worry - our essay writing services are always available for help!
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There are a lot of things to discuss here, but we will start with the basic MLA format guidelines to you essay that cover the essentials only. When you follow MLA style guidelines, it is important to remember the following features:
The most common font in MLA is Times New Roman. That's because it is easy to read and has a classic look. However, you can also use other fonts as long as they are easily readable. That includes the likes of Arial, Georgia, and Courier. Avoid using decorative or fancy fonts - your professor will not appreciate it. Besides that, such fonts are usually hard to read, which means they are also a waste of readers' time and effort.
If you're writing an MLA format essay, keep in mind that the recommended font size for MLA style is 12 pt. If you use different font sizes, make sure that it is easily readable. However, most teachers don't allow any font size below 10 pt. Once again, it's a matter of readability. Other font sizes may be too small or too big to read easily, which is why they are not recommended.
As for the margins, the default choice in MLA is 1 inch on all sides of the page. That way, you ensure that there is enough white space on the page for your readers. It also makes it easier to read large blocks of text. If you want to change the margins, make sure that they are not too small or too big - otherwise, it will look strange and unprofessional. However, this is just a general guideline - you can go with slightly larger or smaller margins if you want to. Just make sure that your professor approves of it first!
MLA guidelines recommend double-spacing throughout the paper, including the Works Cited page. That means each line should have two blank spaces after it. The only exception is block quotes, which should be indented 1/2 inch and single-spaced. This spacing rule ensures that the paper is easy to read and that each line is clearly visible.
There is no preferred binding method for MLA style papers. You can bind your paper any way you want - just make sure that it looks neat and professional. The most common binding methods are stapling, spiral binding, and comb binding. Just pick the one that you think looks best!
As for the print paper quality, it is best to use standard 20 lb. copy paper. Anything lighter than that might be too flimsy, and anything heavier might be too thick. In terms of color, it is best to stick with white copy paper. That way, your readers will be able to focus on the content of your paper rather than its color.
These are the basic MLA format guidelines that you need to keep in mind when formatting your essay. Of course, there are many other details that you need to take into account, but these are the most important ones.
The MLA style requires that you create a header. In other words, you need to create a header for your first page. In MLA format, the header goes on the right-hand side of the page, one-third of the way down. The header consists of your last name and the page number.
You do not need to put anything else in the header. If you are using a word processor, you can insert a page number automatically by going to Insert and then Page Number. Then, select where you want the page number to go (usually at the top right of the page).
If you are writing by hand, simply write your last name and the page number on the right side of each page, about one-third of the way down. If you've ever seen a traditional essay - online or offline - you've also seen an example of an MLA header in action.
MLA format heading instructions are typically found on the first pages of MLA style papers. There are essentially 4 parts of an MLA headers - the header should include your last name and the page number, flush with the right margin and 1/2 inch from the top of the page.
If your paper does not have a title page, the first page should begin with your name, your instructor's name, the course number, and the date, double-spaced and centered. The title of your paper should be centered on the next line after the date. It should be double-spaced as well, without quotation marks or extra spaces above or below the title.
The title of longer works (e.g., novels, movies) should be italicized; titles of shorter works (e.g., poems, articles, essays) should be in quotation marks. If you have any questions about MLA heading & title page instructions, or any other MLA format paper issue, make sure to consult with your professor to get in-depth explanations about their preferred style and rules.
Running head is a term used in APA and MLA-style papers. In APA papers, the running head appears on the title page, while in MLA papers, it goes on the first page. The running head is essentially a shortened version of your paper's title, and it should be no more than 50 characters long.
The purpose of the running head is to help your readers identify the main ideas in your paper. It should be easy to read and understand, so make sure to keep it short and to the point. A typical running head consists of the author's last name and the page number.
For example, if your paper is about the effects of global warming, your running head might be "The Effects of Global Warming." If you are writing a paper with multiple authors, your running head will be different. For example, if your paper has three authors, your running head might be "The Effects of Global Warming: A Collaborative effort."
If you are writing a paper by yourself, your running head will simply be "The Effects of Global Warming." But if you are still unsure of how to format the running head in MLA style, consult with your professor or a writing tutor for help.
Most students use Google Docs these days to write their academic papers. That's because the platform is free and easy to use. But what about MLA format? How do you add a header in Google Docs? The process is actually pretty simple. Let's go through it step by step:
And that's it! You've successfully added a header to your document. Remember, the header should be flush with the right margin and 1/2 inch from the top of the page.
Needless to say, lots of students also rely on Microsoft Word to write their papers. If that's you, don't worry - adding a header in Microsoft Word is just as easy as it is in Google Docs. Here's how:
And that's all you need to do! You've now added a header to your Microsoft Word document.
Writing a paper in MLA format also means you need to deal with quotations and in-text citations. It can get tricky because there are so many ways to add quotes to your text. But what about the MLA in-text citation style?
The general rule is that you need to cite the author's last name and the page number where the quote was taken from. Example: According to Smith, "global warming is a real problem." (32)
But there are other options as well. Let's assume you are quoting someone who said multiple things. In this case, you can just add the page number after their last name. Example: According to Smith, "global warming is a real problem" (32) and "we need to find a way to stop it." (33)
If you're quoting someone who is the author of the text, you don't need to add their last name. You can just write "Author" instead. For example, "Global warming is a real problem," the author says (32).
Footnotes are another useful alternative. You can add a footnote by clicking the "Insert" tab and then selecting "Footnote." This will allow you to enter the information for your citation without interrupting the flow of your paper. Once you do that, the footnote will appear at the bottom of the page.
Citing sources in MLA format can get pretty complicated, especially if you're dealing with multiple authors, different editions, or a mixture of print and digital sources. But as long as you keep these basic rules in mind, you should be able to format your paper with ease.
You need to follow certain rules when using abbreviations, too. If you are not familiar with the term, let's explain it here - abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. They are typically used in writing to save space, time, or both.
Some common examples include Mr., Mrs., and Dr. for Mister, Mistress, and Doctor; PhD for Doctor of Philosophy; and ASAP for As Soon As Possible. They play a major role in academic writing because they can make your paper more concise and easier to read.
There are two main types of abbreviations: those that are pronounced as words (e.g., Mr., Dr.) and those that are pronounced as letters (e.g., ASAP, PhD). The first type is called initialism, while the second is an acronym.
The main rule when using initialism is that you need to spell out the full word or phrase the first time you use it, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. After that, you can just use the abbreviation on its own. For example, The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945. The second time you use UN, there's no need to write out the full name.
The same rule applies to acronyms - you need to spell out the phrase the first time you use it. For example, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded in 1949. NATO can stand on its own from the second mention onwards.
There's one more important distinction to make. Some abbreviations, such as e.g. (for example) and i.e. (that is), are used to introduce examples or clarify something you've already said. These abbreviations are called Latinate terms, and they usually take a comma before and after them.
There are some general principles you need to follow when dealing with numbers in MLA format. First of all, always spell out numbers one through ten. For example, I have three brothers and sisters. The only exception to this rule is if you are using exact measurements or ages. For example, The event will take place on September 7, 2023.
When it comes to larger numbers (11 and up), you can either spell them out or use numerals, depending on your preference. However, if you choose to use numerals, make sure to use commas between each group of three digits. For example, I have 23 brothers and sisters.
If you want to insert an image or a table in your paper, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, make sure that the image is relevant to your topic and adds something new to your paper. Secondly, don't forget to include a caption for the image, as well as its source. The caption should be placed underneath the image, while the source should be listed on the Works Cited page.
When it comes to tables, you need to include a title for each one. The title should be brief but informative, and it should be placed above the table. Lastly, don't forget to list the source of the table on the Works Cited page.
You can also find lists among the MLA formatting rules. These can be either ordered or unordered lists. An ordered list is a list in which the items are numbered, while an unordered list is a list in which the items are not numbered. To format an ordered list, start with the number 1 and a period (full stop) before each item. For example,
To format an unordered list, use bullet points before each item. For example,
The last but not the least important part of MLA format is the Works Cited page. This page includes all the sources you've used in your paper, and it's usually placed at the very end. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using the MLA citation for essay and crafting your Works Cited page:
The good thing is that you can find a great MLA citation example in essay resources, so don't hesitate to do some research.
As you can see, there are quite a few MLA essay format rules to keep in mind. Once you get the hang of it, it will be a breeze. But even if you don't know how to handle them, you don't need to worry! Our agency allows students to buy an essay and get rid of all their writing troubles once and for all. We have a team of experienced writers who know exactly how to format an essay in MLA style. So if you need help with your paper, don't hesitate to contact us!
