LibGuides: Citing Sources -- MLA 9th Edition: Formatting Your MLA Paper

Formatting

Headings and subheadings help your readers understand the structure of your paper. If using headings, keep them short and consistent. If using multiple levels of internal headings, each level should be used more than once. In other words, if using a level one heading, at least one other level one heading should be used.

Headings should be flush with the left margin, not indented or centered. In general, boldface, larger font indicates prominence; a smaller font, italics or lack of bold can be used to signal subordination (Adapted from MLA Handbook 9th ed. p. 4-5).

Heading Level 1

Heading Level 2

Heading Level 3

An MLA paper should follow these general formatting guidelines (unless directed otherwise):

Font - any easily readable typeface, such as Times New Roman 12 pt. or Arial 11 pt. fonts
Spacing - text should be double-spaced throughout the paper, INCLUDING BLOCK QUOTATIONS. Do not use extra spacing between paragraphs
- Font and spacing may be modified for charts, tables and other special figures to help set them apart
Paragraph indentation - one half-inch from left margin
Margins - 1 inch on all sides
Header - In the header on the top right corner of the page: type your last name (as well as last names of other authors, if any), type one space, and insert the page number
Your name - On the first page, include your name, the name of your instructor, the course number and the date written day/month/year order, all typed on separate lines and flush left
Title - Also on the first page, below the publication information, include the title of the paper, centered, following capitalization rules as stated in the handbook
In-Text Citations - In-text citations should include the last names of all authors as written on the Works Cited page, and the page of the quotation, within parenthesis as in this example: (Anderson et. al. 7)

It is important to use software tools and features in your word processing program to set the style so that formatting will remain correct when additions and changes are made to the paper or citation list.

To make sure the formatting is correct in MS Word, highlight the entire paper or a selection of the paper and then:

Go to “paragraph” and set alignment to “left”
Make sure the spacing before and after paragraphs is set to “0”
Set line spacing to “double”
- For the body of the paper set indentation to 0.5 or 1/2 inch and under "special" set to "first line"
- For the list of citations set indentation to 0.5 or 1/2 inch and under "special" set to "hanging indent"