This guide is a quick introduction to the Modern Language Association 9th edition citation style. Be sure to consult the MLA Handbook or the online MLA Style Center for detailed standards and procedures.
MLA Handbook by Always choose an easily readable typeface (Times New Roman is just one example) in which the regular type style contrasts clearly with the italic, and set it to anywhere between 11 and 13 points, unless your instructor specifies a different font size. Generally use the same typeface and type size throughout the paper
(See section 1.2 of the MLA Style Guide)
MLA Style papers should have double-spaced text throughout the entire paper (including quotations, notes and the list of works cited). To make your paper double-spaced in Microsoft Word, highlight the text you want double-spaced, and then click Layout. Next, click on the arrow to the right of the word Paragraph (a pop-up appears). From the drop-down menu under Line Spacing, select Double (default choice is Multiple) and click OK.
Indent the first line of a paragraph half an inch from the left margin in the body of your paper. Indent block quotations half an inch as well.
The works cited page is formatted using a "hanging indent". The first line of each entry should align with the left margin. All subsequent lines in the citation should be indented 5 spaces or set a hanging indent at 1/2 inch. The Paragraph format tools in Microsoft Word includes an option for hanging indents. Highlight the text in your Works Cited page and select the Special: option Hanging.
Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces.
Leave margins of one inch at the top and bottom and on both sides of the text. If you use Microsoft Word, one-inch margins may be the default setting for new documents, but you can verify the margins setting by clicking the Layout tab and then the Margins button in your document.
(See sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the MLA Handbook)
MLA uses a uniform approach to capitalization, employing title case for all titles across different source types. Whether it be a book title, webpage or website title, or a journal title or article title, or all MLA in-text citations. MLA format dictates the capitalization of the first letter of each major word.
