- How to setup your software
- Sample MLA Paper – normal paper
- Sample MLA Paper – has cover page
- Sample APA Paper
- Sample Chicago Paper
- Sample CSE Paper
- APA Format Guidelines
- MLA Format Cover Page
The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not require you to create a cover page when you complete your research paper, but some instructors may require it.
If your instructor requires your paper to have a cover page, here is how to make it (very easy). This cover page should include: your school name, your research paper title, your name, your class, your professor name and your paper due date.
![](http://farmaciacoslada.online/777/templates/cheerup1/res/banner1.gif)
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page:
- This page is double spaced and the letters are centered.
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font size: 12
- The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
- Type the name of your university or college.
- Skip to about one-third of the page and type your research paper title, include a subtitle if you have.
- Skip several lines down and type your name, your course name and number, your instructor name and your paper’s due date.
Sample MLA Format Cover Page:
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://mlaformat.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/mla-format-cover-page.png)
Sample MLA Format Cover Page
Alternate First Page:
If your instructor requires a cover page, you would omit the main heading on your first page. Here is an example of the first page if a cover page is used. You still need your last name and page number on the first page and every other page.
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://mlaformat.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/mlaformatfirstpagesamplewithcoverpage.png)
Sample MLA Format First Page with Cover Page
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://mlaformat.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/mlaformatfirstpagesamplewithcoverpage2.png)
Sample MLA Paper:
Visit here for a sample paper with the cover page. The cover page can vary slightly. This paper also has the outline page for your sample.
If you find this website useful, please share with a friend:
How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages.
In word select the header then go to: Header & Footer>Page Number>Format Page Numbers>Page Numbering>Start at page>Set to 0
How do I get the header on the second page on down? I tried editing it but then it takes the header away from all the pages. I am using windows. Also, the page numbers are not working for me either. Please help me.
How should I start the page after my cover page?
https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/
Thank you so much Stephen !!! Helped a lot in my written assignments 🙂
Great site ! Thank you so much. Just returned to school to complete my bachelors and needed a little refreshing. Has all the information I needed !
Thanks so much for all of the great information! I have not used MLA before and was a little panic stricken. I have found all of my answers here. This is now saved to my favorites so I can use it regularly. Thanks again!
Should the lines on the cover page be double spaced?
Thanks so much for the picture of the cover page it has helped a lot. But, I was wondering do I still need to put my Title at the top of every page after the header?
Hello Lydia. You do not.
After your cover page, your next page’s heading should look like the “Alternate First Page” above.
After the “Alternate First Page” => your next pages should have “The Inner Pages” heading: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-heading/
Sample paper: https://mlaformat.org/mla-format-sample-paper-with-cover-page-and-outline/
hey Lydia you don’t need to but if you want to you can
Thank you so so much. I love the simplicity of the website, very easy to understand. I finally have a cover page for my paper!!
I love this website!! It helped so many times with all my essays. I’m working on a college one and this was very useful. Thank you soo much. And thanks for the examples im a visual person I needed that 🙂
Hi Kaylin, I am glad you find this site useful. Take care!
By the way (sorry i forgot!) for the coverpage, would the text font be 12 times new roman???
You can set everything 12, Times New Roman. Or you can set the Title a little larger than 12, that should work too.
In the example above, I have the title larger than 12.
Here is an example with everything set at 12.
Thank you so much for your help on this useful website! I found it very organized and I’m very glad that I came across this particular article. Thanks!!!!!!!:)
I have a question regarding the cover page and the following pages. If I have a cover page as the example provided, do I still need the heading on the next page? And should the pages after that contain my last name on the top left as the header does on the on the previous pages? or do I not need the header at all if I have the cover page and just my name?
Excellence question, Stella! I have updated this article with information on the first page if a cover page is used. Please see “Alternate First Page” above.
You can omit the main heading but you still need your last name and page number on the first page and all subsequent pages. Take care!
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Previous post: MLA Format Websites
- The Format of the Research Paper
- MLA Format Headings
- MLA Citations
- MLA Format Works Cited
- MLA Format FAQs
- MLA Format Sample Paper
- MLA Sample Paper w/ Cover and Outline Pages
HOW TO SETUP YOUR SOFTWARE
- MLA Format using Google Docs
- MLA Format Microsoft Word 2016
- MLA Format using Pages on Mac
Copyright © 2011–2024 • MLA Format • All rights reserved. Currently, MLA is at its 8th edition. This website has no official relationship with the Modern Language Association and is not endorsed by the MLA.
TAFT COLLEGE
MLA Style Guide, 9th Edition: Formatting Your MLA Paper
- Works Cited entries: What to Include
- Title of source
- Title of container
- Other contributors
- Publication date
- Optional Elements
- Book with Personal Author(s)
- Book with Editor(s)
- Book with Organization as Author
- Parts of Books
- Government Publication
- Journal Article
- Magazine Article
- Multivolume Works
- Newspaper Article
- Other Formats
- Websites, Social Media, and Email
- Works Cited Practice
- About In-text Citations
- In-text Examples
- How to Paraphrase and Quote
- Formatting Your MLA Paper
- Formatting Your Works Cited List
- MLA Annotated Bibliography
MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).
Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.
Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.
Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.
Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.
Heading and Title
An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:
Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).
Your Instructor's Name
Course Number or Name
Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title. Example: The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange
Indent the next line and begin typing your text.
Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.
Formatting first page MLA MS Word using a MAC
Formatting first page mla goggle.dox, formatting first page mla ms word using pc, mla format setup in word 2013.
The links below provide step by step instructions on setting up your paper using MLA Style guidelines.
- Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - PC
- Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - MAC
Sample MLA Paper
- MLA Research Paper Template Properly formatted MLA Style research paper. Download and save to your computer so that you will always have the correct format for writing.
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format MLA 8th Edition Paper Formatting](https://s3.amazonaws.com/libapps/accounts/63648/images/MLA_8th_Paper_Formatting.png)
There are three sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.
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![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/GC-Logo-Registered.png)
MLA 9th Edition Formatting
A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide + Free Template
By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | July 2023
Formatting your paper in MLA style can feel like a pretty daunting task . In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to set up your paper for MLA (9th edition), as quickly and easily as possible. We’ll also share our popular free MLA template , to help you fast-track your writing.
Overview: MLA 9th Edition Formatting
- Structure and layout
- General page setup
- The opening section
- The main body
- Works cited (reference list)
- Free MLA 9 template
MLA Structure and Layout
Let’s start by looking at the overall structure of a typical student paper formatted for MLA 9th edition, before diving into the details of each section. For the most part, MLA papers follow a standardised structure, consisting of the following parts:
The opening section : While MLA doesn’t require a dedicated title page (unlike APA ), it does require an opening section that details some important information about yourself, your university and the paper itself.
The main body : The main body begins directly after the opening section on the first page. This is the “heart” of your paper and there are a very specific requirements regarding how you present and format this content.
The appendix (or appendices):Â While using an appendix in a student paper is relatively uncommon, you’ll place this section directly after the main body section, if required by your university.
The “Works Cited” list : This section is equivalent to what we’d usually call a references page and it’s where you’ll detail all the reference information corresponding to the in-text citations in the main body of your paper.
These four sections form the standard structure and order of a student paper using MLA 9th edition. As we mentioned, not all sections are always required , so be sure to double check what your university expects from you before submitting. Also, it’s always a good idea to ask your university if they have any  style requirements in addition to the standard MLA specification.
Now that we’ve got a big-picture view of the typical paper structure, let’s look at the specific formatting requirements for each of these sections.
Generic Page Setup
Before you jump into writing up your paper, you’ll first need to set up your document to align with MLA’s generic page requirements. Alternatively, you can download our MLA paper template (which comes fully preformatted).
MLA 9th edition requires a 1-inch margin on all sides , for all pages. That said, if you’re writing a dissertation, thesis or any document that will ultimately be printed and bound, your university will likely require a larger left margin to accommodate for physical binding.
Fonts & sizing
MLA does not require that you use any specific font, but we do recommend sticking to the tried and tested , well-accepted fonts. For example, you might consider using one of the following:
- Sans serif fonts : Calibri (11), Arial (11), or Lucida Sans Unicode (10)
- Serif fonts : Times New Roman (12), Georgia (11), or Computer Modern (10)
Whichever font you opt for, be sure to use it consistently throughout your paper . Don’t chop and change, or use different fonts for different parts of the document (e.g., different fonts for the body text and the headings). Also, keep in mind that while MLA does not have a specific font requirement, your university may have its own preference or requirement. So, be sure to check with them beforehand regarding any additional specifications they may have.
In general, all text throughout your document needs to be left-aligned and should not be justified (i.e., leave an uneven right edge). You might consider using a different alignment for section headings, but in general, it’s best to keep things simple .
Line spacing
MLA 9th edition requires double line spacing throughout the document . There should also be no extra space before and after paragraphs . This applies to all sections of the paper, including the “Works Cited” page (more on this later).
Page header
Last but not least, you’ll need to set up a running header for your document. This should contain your last name, followed by the page number. Both of these should be positioned in the top right corner of all pages (even the first page). On a related note, there’s no need for you to include any footer content unless your university specifically requests it.
Now that we’ve looked at the generic formatting considerations, let’s dive into the specific requirements for each section of your paper.
The Opening Section
While MLA-formatted papers typically don’t require a title page, there are very specific requirements regarding the opening section of the first page .
Here’s how you can set your first page up for MLA 9th edition.
- On the first line, write your full name (flush left)
- On a new line, write your professor or instructor’s full name
- On a new line, write the course code and course name
- On a new line, write the full date spelt out (e.g., 15 June 2023)
- On a new line, write the full title of your paper , centre-aligned and using title case (consider using a title case converter if you’re not familiar with this)
- On a new line, begin your body content
All of the above should be in plain, unformatted font – in other words, you don’t need to apply any boldfacing, underlining , etc. That said, you should use italics whenever you’re writing out the titles of other works (for example, titles of books or articles).
To make it all a little more tangible, below is an example of a first page formatted according to the MLA specifications that we just covered.
![mla-paper-opening-section An example of the opening section of a paper formatted for MLA 9](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/mla-paper-opening-section.png)
The Main Body
While the formatting requirements for the body section are relatively light for MLA (at least when compared to APA ), there are still quite a few important things to pay attention to. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Each of your paragraphs needs to start on a new line , and the first sentence of each paragraph requires a half-inch indent (while the rest of the paragraph is flush left aligned). Note that each paragraph simply starts on a new line and doesn’t require an additional blank line.
MLA 9th edition is fairly flexible in terms of heading formatting. There is no specified formatting, so you can decide what works best for you. However, there are still a few basic rules you need to follow:
- All your headings should be written in title case – never use all caps
- There should be no period following a heading
- Each heading level needs to be uniquely formatted and easily distinguishable from other levels (for example, a distinct difference in terms of boldfacing, underlining or italicisation)
- You can have as many heading levels as you need, but each level must have at least two instances
Abbreviations
When using abbreviations, you’ll need to make sure that you’re using the MLA version of the abbreviation . Below we’ve listed a few common ones you should be aware of:
- Appendix: app.
- Circa: c. or ca.
- Chapter: ch.
- Column: col.
- Definition: def.
- Department: dept.
- Example: e.g.
- Edition: ed.
- Figure: fig.
- Foreword: fwd.
- That is: i.e.
- Journal: jour.
- Library: lib.
- Manuscript(s): MS
- Number: no.
- Quoted in: qtd. in
- Revised: rev.
- Section: sec. or sect.
- Series: ser.
- Translation: trans.
- Version: vers.
- Variant: var.
- Volume: vol.
If you’re interested, you can find a more comprehensive list here . Alternatively, if you have access to the MLA 9th edition handbook, you can find the full list in the first appendix.
![apa-editing APA 7 editing](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/apa-editing.png)
In-text citations
MLA 9 has a very specific set of requirements regarding how to cite your sources within the body of your paper. Here are some of the most important things to help you get started with MLA citations.
Author-page number system: in-text citations consist of (at a minimum) the lead author’s last name, followed by the page number of the paragraph you are citing. There is no comma between the two components (only a space).
Types of citations: MLA allows two types of in-text citations: parenthetical and narrative . Parenthetical citations feature the author and page number in parentheses (brackets) at the end of the respective sentence. Here’s an example:
MLA 9th edition is easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog (Jansen 13).
Narrative citations, on the other hand, weave the author’s name into the flow of the sentence and then present the publication date in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Here’s an example:
Jansen states that MLA 9th edition is easy for students to grasp if they visit the Grad Coach blog (13).
In general, it’s a good idea to utilise a mix of both in your writing. Narrative citations are particularly useful when you want to highlight or contrast authors or their viewpoints, while parenthetical citations are useful when you want to strengthen your own academic voice. In other words, both formats have their respective strengths and weaknesses, so try to use citation format strategically in your writing.
Quotations: when quoting text verbatim from a source, there is no need to do anything differently in terms of the citation itself, but do remember to wrap the verbatim text in quotation marks. Here’s an example:
Jansen proposes that MLA 9th edition is “easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog” (13).
Multiple authors: when citing resources that were authored by three or more people, you only need to list the lead author, followed by “et al.”. Here’s an example:
MLA 9th edition is easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog (Jansen et al. 13).
 Below are a few more examples from our free MLA template .
![mla-in-text-citation-examples Example of MLA in-text citations](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/mla-in-text-citation-examples.png)
Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of all the MLA 9th edition citation-related requirements – just a shortlist of the most commonly relevant ones. If you’d like to learn more, consult the MLA handbook .
The Works Cited (Reference List)
The final section that you’ll need to pay close attention to is the “Works Cited” page, which should contain a list of reference information for all the sources cited in the body of the paper. Again, MLA has a quite a meaty set of specifications regarding the content and formatting of this list, but we’ll cover the basics here to get your started on the right foot.Â
Basic setup
Your reference list needs to start on a new page and should be titled “Works Cited”. The title should be unformatted and centred . The reference list should then start on the next line. As with the rest of your document, you should use double line spacing throughout.
When it comes to the reference list itself, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
- All the sources that you cited in the body of your document should feature in the reference list. Make sure that every citation is accounted for .
- The references should be ordered alphabetically , according to the lead author’s last name .
- The exact information required within each entry depends on the type of content being referenced (e.g., a journal article, web page, etc.)
- Components that may need to feature (other than the author) include the title of the source, the title of the container, other contributors, the article version or number, the publisher, the publication date, and the location.
- All references should be left-aligned and should use a hanging indent – i.e., the second line of any given reference (if it has one) should be indented a half inch.
We have to stress that these are just the basics. MLA 9th edition requires that your references be structured and formatted in a very specific way , depending on the type of resource. If you plan to draft your reference list manually, it’s important to consult your university’s style guide or the MLA manual itself. This leads us to our next point…
In general, it’s a bad idea to write your reference list manually . Given the incredibly high level of intricacy involved, it’s highly likely that you’ll make mistakes if you try to craft this section yourself. A better solution is to use (free) reference management software such as Mendeley or Zotero . Either of these will take care of the formatting and content for you, and they’ll do a much more accurate job of it too.Â
If you’re not familiar with any sort of reference management software, be sure to check out our easy-to-follow Mendeley explainer video below.
Wrapping Up
In this post, we’ve provided a primer covering how to format your paper according to MLA 9th edition. To recap, we’ve looked at the following:
- The structure and layout
- The general page setup
- The “Works Cited” page (reference list)
Remember to always check your university’s style guide to familiarise yourself with any additional requirements they may. Also, if your university has specified anything that contrasts what we’ve discussed here, please do follow their guidance .Â
If you need any help formatting your paper for MLA 9, take a look at our “done for you” language editing and proofreading service . Simply send us your document and we’ll take care of all the MLA formatting intracies on your behalf.Â
Very well recounted!
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MLA Format: A Complete Guide with Examples
#scribendiinc
Written by Scribendi
Your instructor has asked you to format your term paper using Modern Language Association (MLA) style. You feel confident enough to produce the paper, but you have never heard of MLA style. Don't panic—we've got you covered.
This article will explain MLA style citation, give examples of MLA formatting for specific aspects of references, provide an MLA format example for each category of source material, and share essay formatting tips that our editors have learned over the years.
You'll even find a free, downloadable MLA Works Cited example page for easy reference. So, if you have a general understanding of what MLA style is and are just looking for examples of MLA citations, we can help with that too!
Free MLA Cheat Sheet
What Is MLA Style?
MLA style is an accepted way to document source material for many types of humanities documents. Some would say it is simpler than other style guides, such as the APA Style Guide or the Chicago Manual of Style .
An MLA citation has two basic requirements:
Brief parenthetical citations in the text
An alphabetical list of the works cited that corresponds to the in-text citations and appears at the end of the paper
In simple terms, you refer to your source material in parentheses throughout the main text—then, at the end of your paper, you list all the sources to which you have referred, in alphabetical order.
Of course, there is so much more to MLA style and MLA formatting than just that. Indeed, the current version of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th Edition) runs to 292 pages! But here are the essential style and formatting points.
MLA Format Citation Example
To start, let's look at a basic example of how to format a citation in MLA.
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage/Chapter/Article." Website/Book Title/Journal Title , edition used, vol. X, no. Y, Publisher,
Day Month Year of Publication, URL/location/page number.
This is MLA format at its simplest.
Why Use MLA Format (or Any Other)?
The main reason for carefully citing source material is to avoid allegations of plagiarism, which—derived from the Latin word for "kidnapping"—refers to stealing someone else's work. The MLA Handbook explains plagiarism in detail. You should feel free to use another person's words, facts, and thoughts in your research paper, but the material you borrow must not be presented as if it were your own creation.
When you write your research paper, remember that you must document everything that you borrow—not only direct quotations and paraphrases but also information and ideas. Our MLA citation guide will walk you through how to properly cite your sources using MLA style.
Who Uses MLA Citation Format?
MLA-style citation is commonly used by writers and students who create content in the humanities.
You'll often see it used for the following subject areas:
Language and literature
Comparative literature
Literary criticism
Cultural studies
Foreign languages
Using MLA's citation guide in these fields of study gives readers an easier option for navigating through your paper. In addition to making you look credible by neatly organizing your sources, MLA citation lends consistency to your work. It provides readers with the opportunity to easily find sources in your paper that interest them.
How to Use MLA Format
The early stages of producing a paper involve copious amounts of reading, research, and note-taking. At this point, it's easy to get confused about who said what. The best way to avoid getting confused right from the start is to keep your ideas, your summary of others' ideas, and direct transcriptions of text clearly marked and separate. Throughout our guide, we'll provide examples of MLA citation to give you a hand.
Make notes on the following elements for ease of reference and proper MLA citation later on:
Author's name
Full title of each publication (from the title page, not the front cover)
City of publication (cite only the first city if there is more than one)
Date of publication
Volume and issue numbers, if available (for journals)
Page numbers you have referenced
Medium of publication or reception (print, web, radio, television, etc.)
Laying the groundwork during your research will make the citation process much easier later on.
MLA Citation Format
Because we know there are many ways to cite a reference in MLA, depending on what source you're using, we've compiled an extensive list of MLA citation examples below.
You'll find MLA citation examples for articles, books, images, interviews, journals, movies, and more to ensure you are citing your sources correctly.
We've done our best to be as thorough as possible. Review how to use in-text citations in MLA below or skip to the ones you need most!
How to Cite Two to Three Authors
If you're citing a book in MLA format with two or three authors, use the examples below to format your citation:
Bringham, Darrin E., and Sally Knope. Resting Heartbeat Science . 12th ed., Wiley, 2001.
Christopherson, Charles, Ronald Swanson, and Roger Koltz. Fog Pirates: On Board the USS Hammerhead . Putters, 2001.
Only the first author is listed by their last name followed by their first name. Any subsequent authors are written normally (first name then last name).
How to Cite More than Three Authors
When there are more than three authors to reference in MLA, format your citation using et al., as shown below:
Niderbacher, Leslie A., et al. Penne and the Jets: A Love Story . Partridge, 2003.
Note that only the first author is fully named, followed by et al.
Related: Learn more about How to Use Et Al. here.
How to Cite No Author
An MLA in-text citation with no author begins with the title . If your in-text citation has no author in MLA, you can also use the title in addition to the page number.
( Encyclopedia of Football 54)
How to Cite a Journal Article
Correct MLA article citation starts with finding good, credible articles. Try looking for peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles in free research databases such as CORE and ScienceOpen.
When searching for the best journals for your topic, try to steer clear of regular search engines like Google or Yahoo. Academic databases like JSTOR and Google Scholar are the best sources for scholarly, peer-reviewed articles .
MLA journal citation elements include the title of the work, author(s), and publication date. While this information is usually found on the first page of an article, its placement can vary. It may be at the top or bottom of the first page or, in the case of database articles, on the results page or the description page.
Related: Check out our list of 17 Research Databases for Free Articles .
MLA Citation for an Article
![MLA Format: Articles MLA Format: Articles](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/1-MLA-Format-Articles.jpg)
MLA Article Citation Examples
Lau, Frank. "Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe COVID-19." Journal of Health , vol. 2, no. 5, Aug. 2020, pp. 34–27.
https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.24.20075838.
Kuehn, Bridget. "Hospitals Turn to Housing to Help Homeless Patients." JAMA , Feb. 2019, pp. 5–9.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.21476.
MLA Website Article Citation Examples
Tomky, Naomi. "Explore the Oregon Coast—but don't touch the 'dragon toes.'" National Geographic , 23 Mar. 2022,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/explore-oregon-coast-but-dont-touch-dragon-toe-barnacles.
Gateley, Cheyne. "Netflix's Password Crackdown Will Be Tougher Than It Seems." Variety , 21 Mar. 2022,
https://variety.com/vip/netflixs-password-crackdown-will-be-tougher-than-it-seems-1235208619/.
Book Citation in MLA
If you're citing passages from a book using MLA, look at the title page of the book to find the information you need to cite the source. The title page can usually be found a couple of pages into the book. This is where you'll find the author(s), date, edition, title, editors (if any), place of publication, and publisher.
MLA Book Citation Examples
Schucman, Helen. A Course in Miracles. Edited by Robert Perry, The Circle of Atonement, Inc., 2017.
MLA Textbook Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Books MLA Format: Books](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/2-MLA-Format-Books.jpg)
How to Cite an Image
Image citation in MLA requires you to first define what type of image you're sourcing. Is it an image you saw in person or an image from a website?
Asking yourself this question first will help you decide which format to use to cite your image. Let's look at a few examples below.
MLA Image Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Images MLA Format: Images](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/3-MLA-Format-Images.jpg)
How to Cite an Image from a Website
To cite an image from a website in MLA, start with the image creator's last and first name, then add the image title, the website name , day, month, and year published, and the URL.
In the example below, there is no image title, so we're using a description of the image:
Yam, Marcus. Photograph of a man hurrying away from a building hit by Russian bombs. Los Angeles Times , 25 Mar. 2022,
www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-03-25/ukraine-russia-war-biden-heads-to-poland .
Here is an example with an image title:
Clancy, Pat. "Foggy Sunrise." Flickr , 10 Mar. 2022,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/128721907@N02/51958337614/in/explore-2022-03-24/.
MLA Citation: Interview
When citing an interview in MLA, the information you need can vary depending on the type of interview.
For example, if you're citing an interview printed in a magazine, you can find relevant citation information in the title or subtitle of the interview page.
For online interviews, the relevant information can be found on the site where the interview was published. Typically, in the title or near the name of the person who published the interview, you'll find the names of the interviewer and interviewee, as well as the date the interview was published.
Here are a few elements you'll need if you're citing an interview in MLA:
Interviewee's first and last name
Interviewer's first and last name
Interview title
Periodical or journal title (if any)
Type of interview
Date the interview was conducted/published
URL of the interview (if online)
Page numbers of the interview (if in print)
In MLA, if you can't find the author of an interview you're trying to source, this information can be skipped. Instead, you can start your citation with the title of the interview in quotation marks. You can also skip the date of the interview if it is missing, but you should still include the access date if the interview is online.
If, for any reason, you also can't access the title of the interview, MLA allows you to replace the title with a short description. Let's look at a couple of examples below.
MLA Interview Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Interviews MLA Format: Interviews](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/4-MLA-Format-Interviews.jpg)
How to Cite a Lecture
When citing a lecture in MLA, start with the speaker's last and first names, followed by the lecture title in quotes, then the course or event name, the day, month, and year, the institution, the location, and the word "Lecture." Below is an example of how to cite a lecture in MLA.
MLA Lecture Citation Example
![MLA Format: Lectures MLA Format: Lectures](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/5-MLA-Format-Lectures.jpg)
How to Cite a Movie in MLA
If you need to cite a movie in MLA style, you'll need the title of the film, the director, any relevant contributors, the company that produced/distributed the film, and the release year. Be sure to add the words "Directed by" before the director's name, as you'll see in the examples below.
MLA Movie Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Movies MLA Format: Movies](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/6-MLA-Format-Movies.jpg)
How to Cite a Poem
To cite a poem in MLA, begin with listing the author's last name and first, then the poem's title in quotes, followed by the title of the book the poem was found in, and the publisher, year, and page number(s).
MLA Poem Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Poems MLA Format: Poems](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/7-MLA-Format-Poems.jpg)
Quotes in MLA Format
When you're using a quote, you're taking the exact words from an original source, so you need to make sure you're citing that source correctly.
In MLA format, quotes should be cited in the main text and on the Works Cited page. Your in-text citation will need the author's last name and the page number where you found the quote , while the Works Cited page will include the full citation. We've included examples of both MLA quote citation formats below.
MLA Short Quote Citation Examples
In-text citation example:
It appears that creating "businesses that diminish the quality of life and well-being of our citizens" (Williamson 109) will only make things worse.
Works Cited example:
Williamson, Marianne. A Politics of Love . Harper One, 2019.
MLA Format for Long Quotes
If you have to cite quotes longer than four lines in your paper, you'll want to use a block quote. The MLA format is the same on the Works Cited page for long and short quotes, but block quotes look different in the main text.
Block quotes are placed in a separate paragraph, indented 1 inch from the left margin. When using a block quote in text, include the last name of the author and page number(s) in parentheses after the closing punctuation at the end of the quote.
Note that block quotes are not enclosed in quotation marks.
How to Cite a Song in MLA
When citing a song in MLA, pay close attention to the medium you used to access it. If you heard the song on a CD or on a streaming service like Spotify, you'll want to include this in your reference.
For in-text citations of songs, you'll include your citation at the end of your paraphrased portion with the last name of the performer and the specific time stamp of the song. Other elements needed for the citation on the Works Cited page include the album name, label, and release date.
MLA Song Citation Examples
![MLA Format: Songs MLA Format: Songs](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/8-MLA-Format-Songs.jpg)
How to Cite a Video
An MLA citation for a YouTube video requires a few pieces of information, including the video creator's name, the title of the video, the website hosting the video, the name of the channel or uploader, the day, month , and year the video was published, and its URL.
Regardless of the platform from which you cite a video, MLA requires the same standard information, including the creator of the video, the title, where it was found, who uploaded it, the day, month, and year it was uploaded, and the URL.
![MLA Format: Videos MLA Format: Videos](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/9-MLA-Format-Videos.jpg)
How to Cite a Website in MLA
The MLA format for websites requires a few core elements, including the author, title of the source and container, relevant contributors, version, publisher, publication date in day-month-year format, and DOI or URL .
Some of this information can be omitted if it isn't available. See the examples below.
MLA Format for Websites
![MLA Format: Websites MLA Format: Websites](https://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/Blog_2022/10-MLA-Format-Websites.jpg)
More about MLA Style and Format
Mla heading format.
When you're writing a paper in MLA format, headings go on the first page . Your heading should include the following information:
Instructor's name
Course name or number
Submission date
Your MLA heading goes in the upper left corner of your paper, double-spaced. Try not to confuse an MLA heading with an MLA header, which is in the upper right corner of every page of your paper and includes your last name and the page number.
MLA Format Heading Examples
Here are two example headings in MLA format for reference. Keep in mind that these should be double-spaced in your paper.
Cody Anderson
Professor Lockhart
Astronomy 103
23 March 2022
Raquel Smith
Professor Snape
Humanities 605
25 February 2021
MLA In-Text Citation
In the next few sections, we'll look at MLA formatting for sources cited within the main text of your paper, also called in-text citations. In-text citations give your reader a clue about where to find the source you referenced in the Works Cited section at the end of your paper.
MLA format for books requires that you briefly acknowledge your sources in the main body of the text by using the author's name and the page number in parentheses.
Note the following example:
(Clinton 440).
The reader knows to consult page 440 of Clinton's book.
Larger Works
If you refer to the title of a large published work in your paper, such as a novel or movie, it should appear as follows:
John Clinton's A Study of Life.
Please note the use of capital letters and italics.
Smaller Works
Titles of smaller works, such as poems, short stories, chapters, and articles, should be written in the text as follows:
Raymond Carver's "Cathedral."
Please note that smaller works are put in quotation marks and are not italicized.
MLA Works Cited
To obtain further information, the reader can refer to the alphabetical references section, called the Works Cited page, at the end of the paper. There, the reader can find the full details of each cited publication.
Note the following MLA Works Cited example:
Clinton, John. A Study of Life . London: Hodder, 1998. Print.
Our John Clinton example is MLA style referencing in its simplest form: one author and one book. MLA citation for multiple authors of a single book and MLA citation for multiple books by a single author tend to complicate matters. However, if you have the basics right and have made good notes for all your source material, these problems are manageable.
Multiple Books by One Author
When citing two or more books by one author in your Works Cited section, MLA requires the author's name in the first entry only. In the next entry, replace the author's name with an em dash (—), a period, and the second book title. The em dash takes the place of the author's name. In terms of the order of the books by one author on your Works Cited page, alphabetize the list by title.
Brunson, Russell. DotCom Secrets . Morgan James Publishing, 2015.
—. Traffic Secrets . Hay House, Inc., 2020.
MLA Format with Multiple Authors
When citing three or more authors in MLA, you'll want to use "et al.," which means "and others."
Levine, Robert S., et al. The Norton Anthology of American Literature . 9th ed., W.W. Norton & Company, 2022.
Missing Items
If you're trying to cite a source in MLA with missing information, you have a few options available to you depending on what information is missing.
If you're missing the author of a source, use the title of the work in its place for both in-text citations and citations in the Works Cited in MLA format. If your title is also missing, use the source instead.
If your source has no page numbers, you can omit these in your citations and use paragraph or line numbers if they are available.
If the date of the publication is missing, you don't have to include it. But if it's a resource you accessed online, include the access date at the end of the citation—for example, "Accessed 14 Sep. 2021."
You can also omit the publisher if this information is missing.
MLA Format Works Cited Page Tips
When formatting your Works Cited page in MLA format, be sure to pay close attention to all the guidelines. MLA requires all lines to be double-spaced with a hanging indent. A hanging indent is when the first line of your reference starts at the beginning of the line while the next lines are indented by an inch and a half from the left.
Free Download
To keep all of these MLA examples in one sheet for easy reference, we've compiled a free download. This way, you can review MLA citation examples anytime you need them, either for your Works Cited page or in-text citations, for multiple types of work.
Once downloaded, you'll have all of the MLA citation examples you need in your back pocket. This guide will give you examples of MLA citations for the following types of sources:
Books (with one author, multiple authors, or no author)
Download our free MLA downloadable here.
Download Now
Writing a paper in mla format.
When writing a paper in MLA format, you'll need to cover your bases when it comes to citing your sources. Not only do your sources need to be correct to account for wherever you're pulling information from, but they also need to follow MLA paper formatting basics .
So far, we've covered how to cite sources in your Works Cited list and in-text citations. Now, let's talk about how to use footnotes in an MLA paper with a couple of examples.
As a general rule, footnotes should be used sparingly in MLA. However, when they are used, there are two types: bibliographical footnotes and content footnotes.
Bibliographical footnotes allow you to add more relevant sources. Content footnotes allow you to add commentary or explanations about your topic. We'll look at examples of both of these below.
MLA Footnote Examples
Bibliographical footnote:
1 See Clinton, John. A Study of Life . Hodder, 1998. Additional references are for this edition and appear within the text.
Content footnote:
1 In a lecture from 2013, Peters mentions his love of science and how science will shape our future.
MLA Title Page Format
The MLA format cover page is not an entirely separate page. It begins with a 1-inch margin, flush left with your name, your instructor's name, the course name or number, and the date typed on separate, double-spaced lines.
The title of your research paper should then be centered on the MLA format title page. There is no need for it to be presented in bold, italics, or capital letters.
MLA Parenthetical Citation
When citing a source in your text in MLA, use a parenthetical citation.
Parenthetical citations in MLA should include the author's last name and the page number where you found the information.
For example: (Lars 86).
MLA Page Number Format
In MLA format, page numbers appear in the top right-hand corner with a 0.5-inch margin from the top and a flush right margin. It is good practice to include your last name before the page number in case pages go astray. Do not use the abbreviation p. before the page number or add any other mark or symbol. You may not need to include a page number on the front page—check with your instructor.
Sometimes, it is appropriate to draw attention to particular words in your paper, but using italics for emphasis ("He really ate a lot ") is inappropriate in research writing and inconsistent with MLA style. Generally, in MLA format, italics should be reserved for titles of longer works (e.g., books, films), non-English words, and words and letters referred to as words and letters.
MLA Format Essay Tips
Your instructor may issue particular instructions if you are to use MLA citation in an essay—if so, follow them. Otherwise, the following MLA essay formatting tips will help you set out your research paper in MLA style.
The MLA Style Guide recommends using a clear typeface (Arial or Times New Roman) in a readable size (at least 11 point).
Justification
Justify the text to the left margin, leaving the right margin ragged. Leave 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, left, and right of the page.
Indent the first word in each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Indent set-off block quotations by 1 inch.
Use double-spacing throughout. In accordance with the MLA guide, use single spaces after periods, commas , exclamation marks, etc.
Good grammar, punctuation , and spelling are essential parts of your research paper—not just when using MLA style citation. There is no room for typos at this level.
Our advice is to check and check again, and don't just rely on your word processor's spell-checker. Get a second pair of eyes to look over your paper. T ry our essay editors to ensure that the MLA formatting is consistent throughout your paper and there are no grammatical errors.
Related: Avoid These Common Mistakes in Academic and Scientific Writing
The importance of citing your references in your essay cannot be understated. Any time you include a piece of information in your essay that you didn't write yourself, MLA requires two forms of citation: one in the main text and one at the end of your paper in the Works Cited section.
MLA Format Essay Example
To see how all these formatting elements come together to make an MLA paper, see the example below.
https://p113.p2.n0.cdn.getcloudapp.com/items/v1ugxp7E/9e3b21d9-758c-4e27-b6cb-caa1059c0547.jpeg?v=559e925043cbfee9fe816e0568ab3d3b
Electronic Sources and MLA Formatting
In this computerized age, electronic publications are widely used as source materials for essays. However, electronic texts are prone to frequent and rapid change—one minute you see them online, and the next they are gone. Therefore, it is important to provide more information when references to electronic works are made.
When accessing electronic information, note the following elements:
Name of the author, editor, etc.
Title of the work
Title of the website (if distinct from the title of the work)
Version/edition used, if applicable
Publisher or sponsor of the site (if not available, use n.p.)
Date of publication (day, month, and year, if available; if no date is available, use n.d.)
Medium of publication (web)
Date of access (day, month, and year)
Note the following example of MLA citation:
Smith, George. "Trees of the Southern Hemisphere." The International Leaf. Barker University, 2008. Web. 6 Feb. 2009.
Please note that the MLA formatting and style guide no longer recommends including the URL of a document. Nevertheless, the URL can be included if it is required by your instructor or if your readers will have difficulty locating the source without it.
MLA Format Letter
Below, you'll find examples of how to apply the MLA letter format. Much of the formatting will be similar to that of MLA-style papers, including using double-spaced lines in your text.
MLA Letter Heading Format
Start your MLA-formatted letter with your two-line mailing address in the upper left-hand corner, an inch from the top of the page. Skip to the next line and add the date in day-month-year format.
On the next line, include the addressee's information, starting with the recipient's title, such as Mr., Ms., or Dr. You can also include their address and contact information.
On yet another line, include your salutation—for example, "Dear Ms. Smith"—followed by a colon. If you don't have a name for the person you're writing to, use the person's title—for example, "Dear Director of Operations."
When writing a letter in MLA format, be sure to use double-spacing throughout as you would in an MLA paper.
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Chicago vs. MLA vs. APA Citation
The formatting of citations varies among style guides like Chicago, MLA, and APA. While each style guide has its own way of formatting sources and cover pages, one of the biggest differences is in how they format in-text citations. Let's look at how they differ.
MLA stands for the Modern Language Association and is a style used for papers in the humanities. In-text citations in MLA use the author's last name and page number in parentheses: (Smith 15).
APA stands for the American Psychological Association and is a style used for scientific papers. In-text citations in APA style include a bit more information than those in MLA style. For example, APA uses the author's last name, year of publication, and page number: (Smith, 2021, p. 15).
Chicago style is used mainly for manuscripts by writers, designers, and publishers. In-text citations in this style include the last name of the source, the publication year, and the page number in parentheses, with slightly different formatting than APA: (Smith 2021, 15).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do i cite a website in mla.
To cite a website in MLA, start with the author's last name and first name separated by a comma and punctuated with a period. Next, include the title of the article or page in headline case and in quotes with a period, followed by the title of the website in italics. After that, add a comma, the name of the publisher, the publication date in day-month-year format, and the URL.
Shields, Ronan. "'The Threat is Hollow': True Transparency is Some Way Off for Scaled Advertisers." Digiday , Digiday Media, 25
Mar. 2022, https://digiday.com/marketing/the-threat-is-hollow-true-transparency-is-some-way-off-for-scaled-advertisers/.
Basu, Tyler. "How to Build a Personal Brand (Complete Guide)." Thinkific , Thinkific, 7 Sep. 2021,
https://www.thinkific.com/blog/personal-branding-guide/.
For an MLA website in-text citation, simply put the last name of the author in parentheses: (Shields).
How Do I Cite a Journal Article in MLA?
The MLA citation for a journal article begins with the author's last name and first name separated by a comma. Next, include the title of the article in quotes, punctuated by a period, then the journal title in title case and italics, and then a comma before the volume or issue number. This is followed by the date of publication, the page range, and the DOI or URL (without https://). Finally, add the access date if no publication date is listed.
How Do I Write In-Text Citations in MLA?
In-text citations allow readers to identify which of the items on your Works Cited page you're referencing. MLA requires the source's last name to be set in parentheses, followed by the page number where you found the information. Below are a few examples of how to use in-text citations in MLA format.
(Smith and Jones 53)
(Smith et al. 33)
(Smith 56–58)
(Smith 56–58, 73)
How Do I Cite a YouTube Video in MLA?
For MLA YouTube citation, start with the video creator's last name and first name, separated by a comma and punctuated by a period. Next, include the title of the video in quotes, also punctuated by a period (inside the quotation marks).
Add the website hosting the video in italics (in this case, YouTube), the name of the channel or uploader, and the day, month, and year the video was published. Include the URL at the end of the MLA video citation.
Forleo, Marie. "Can You Age in Reverse? Tony Robbins Says Yes." YouTube , uploaded by Marie Forleo, 14 Feb. 2022,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAb5z7NbMYk.
Snipes, Doc. "15 Tips to Stop Ruminating and Get Out of Your Head." YouTube , uploaded by Doc Snipes, 23 Mar. 2022,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMZpMtM7TkI.
How Do I Use MLA Format for Headings?
Put your MLA heading in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of your paper , double-spaced. It should have your name, your instructor's name, the course name or number, and the date. Here are two examples of how to format your headings in MLA:
How Do I Cite a Movie in MLA Format?
To cite a movie in MLA style, start with the title of the film in italics, then the name of the director, followed by any relevant contributors. Next, include the company that produced or distributed the film and the release year.
Jaws . Directed by Steven Spielberg, performances by Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw, Universal Pictures, 1975.
To cite a movie from a streaming service such as Netflix, use the following format:
Jaws . Directed by Steven Spielberg, performances by Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw, Universal Pictures, 1975. Netflix app.
How Do I Format My Paper Using MLA?
To recap the most important MLA formatting guidelines, be sure to use 1-inch margins all around your paper, set the font to 12-point Times New Roman (or another easy-to-read font), and double-space the lines in your text. Make sure each word at the start of your paragraphs is indented half an inch from the left margin, and do the same for any block quotations.
You must cite all your sources in MLA, both in the text and on the Works Cited page found at the end of your paper. Use the examples and guidelines above to make sure you're formatting your paper and citations according to MLA guidelines.
How Do I Cite a Person in MLA?
If you're citing an interview, use the last and first name of the person interviewed at the start of your MLA Works Cited citation. Then, add the interview title, periodical title, type of interview, date, and URL of the interview (if online).
If the person you're referencing was interviewed in print, include the page numbers.
For an in-text citation of an interview, use the last name of the person being interviewed—for example: (Smith).
Download our free MLA format PDF for more examples of how to cite a person in MLA for an interview, either one you've conducted yourself or one you found elsewhere.
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Examples of MLA Citations
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MLA Citations: A How-To Guide
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MLA Formatting and MLA Style: An Introduction
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MLA Style Guide: MLA style page formatting
- MLA style page formatting
- Research center
- Library home
How to format an MLA-style paper
, 8th ed. |
Your teachers expect to receive papers that are properly formatted and laid out. Use the following guidelines when setting up your paper. It is easiest if you use the correct settings from the beginning; otherwise you will have to go back and reformat your paper.
Overall page layout
- One inch margins on sides, top and bottom.
- Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font.
- Double-space the text of the paper.
- Use left-justified text, which will have a ragged right edge. Do not use fully (newspaper-style) justified text.
- Indent the first word of each paragraph 1/2".
- Indent block quotes 1".
- In Works Cited lists, use a 1/2" indent for all lines after the first line of each source ("hanging indent").
- Number the pages in the top right corner of the paper's header area, beginning with the first page of text. Type your last name before each page number. Number straight through from the first text page to the final Works Cited page but do not count any pages after the end of the text as part of your page count.
- Ask your teacher if it is ok to print two-sided.
Heading and title
- An MLA-style research paper does not include a cover page, unless your teacher specifically asks for it.
- In the upper left corner of the first page (but not in the header space) type the following information: your name, the teacher's name, the course title and block, the date. Use a separate double-spaced line for each piece of information (four lines).
- Double space again, and center the title. Do not try to make your title decorative by using bold , underline , or creative fonts.
- Double space again before beginning the text of your paper.
Names and numbers
- Use full names of people and agencies/legislation the first time you use them. For agencies, include the acronym in parentheses after the full name when first used, for example, Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA).
- After the first time you can refer to people by their last name or agencies by their acronyms for the rest of the paper.
- Spell out numbers written in one or two words (two, forty-five, fifteen hundred) and use numbers for all others (2 1/2, 161). You should never begin a sentence with a number however.
Parenthetical references
- In-text citation should be placed at the end of the sentence and inside the final punctuation.
- If a work is alphabetized by title in the Works Cited (i.e. it has no author), it is ok to use just the first word or two of the title in the parenthetical reference ( MLA Handbook 55-56).
- If the author is mentioned in the sentence, the parenthetical reference will only contain the page number.
Works Cited
- Your Works Cited should begin on a separate page following the final page of written text.
- Center the words Works Cited at the top of the page, Use Times/Times New Roman 12 pt font. Do not use bold, underline, or large size font for the heading.
- Be sure to use proper formatting - double-space and alphabetize properly.
- Use a "hanging indent" - the first line of the citation begins at the margin, subsequent lines are indented.
- If your source has no author, alphabetize by title within the authors - don't make a separate list.
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- Last Updated: Jan 14, 2020 1:56 PM
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MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Formatting Your MLA Paper
- Works Cited entries: What to Include
- Title of source
- Title of container
- Contributors
- Publication date
- Supplemental Elements
- Book with Personal Author(s)
- Book with Organization as Author
- Book with Editor(s)
- Parts of Books
- Government Publication
- Journal Article
- Magazine Article
- Multivolume Works
- Newspaper Article
- Other Formats
- Websites, Social Media, and Email
- About In-text Citations
- In-text Examples
- How to Paraphrase and Quote
- Citing Poetry
- Formatting Your MLA Paper
- Formatting Your Works Cited List
- MLA Annotated Bibliography
- MLA 9th Edition Quick Guide
- Submit Your Paper for MLA Style Review
MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).
Line Spacing & Margins
Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.
Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.
Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.
Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.
Heading and Title
An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:
Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).
Your Instructor's Name
Course Number or Name
Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title. Example: The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange
Indent the next line and begin typing your text.
Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.
Sample Papers from MLA
There are sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.
Styling Headings and Subheadings
According to the MLA Style Center website, writers should avoid using headings in shorter papers. If you are writing a longer research paper, you may want to include headings and subheadings to help organize the sections of your paper. Advice from the MLA Style Center :
"Levels
The paper or chapter title is the first level of heading, and it must be the most prominent.
Headings should be styled in descending order of prominence. After the first level, the other headings are subheadings—that is, they are subordinate. Font styling and size are used to signal prominence. In general, a boldface, larger font indicates prominence; a smaller font, italics, and lack of bold can be used to signal subordination. For readability, don’t go overboard: avoid using all capital letters for headings (in some cases, small capitals may be acceptable):
Heading Level 1
Heading Level 2
Heading Level 3
Note that word-processing software often has built-in heading styles.
Consistency
Consistency in the styling of headings and subheadings is key to signaling to readers the structure of a research project. That is, each level 1 heading should appear in the same style and size, as should each level 2 heading, and so on. Generally, avoid numbers and letters to designate heads unless you are working in a discipline where doing so is conventional. Note that a heading labeled “1” requires a subsequent heading labeled “2,” and a heading labeled “a” requires a subsequent heading labeled “b.”
In a project that is not professionally designed and published, headings should be flush with the left margin, to avoid confusion with block quotations. (The exception is the paper or chapter title, which is centered in MLA style.)
For readability, it is helpful to include a line space above and below a heading, as shown in this post.
No internal heading level should have only one instance. For example, if you have one level 1 heading, you need to have a second level 1 heading. (The exceptions are the paper or chapter title and the headings for notes and the list of works cited.) You should also generally have text under each heading.
Capitalization
Capitalize headings like the titles of works, as explained in section 1.2 of the MLA Handbook.
The shorter, the better."
Modern Language Association. "How Do I Style Headings and Subheadings in a Research Paper?" MLA Style Center., 13 December 2018, style.mla.org/styling-headings-and-subheadings .
MLA Style Paper Template
- MLA 9th Edition Paper Template This template was created and saved as a Word template for Microsoft Word 2016. The process for saving and using the template is the same for the instructions given above for 2013.
You can save a personal template in Microsoft Word (IRSC students, download Office for free, see a librarian if you need help). Above is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using MLA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an MLA style paper. Microsoft Word will allow you to save personal templates. Once you have the template opened in Word
Click "Save as"
Give the file a name
Under "Save as type", select Word Template
Then when you open Word, you will be able to choose a template rather than a blank document. You might have to select Personal to find your template.
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Sample MLA Paper
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How to Use the MLA Style Template
Formatting Group Project Papers
For a research paper written collaboratively by several students, such as for a group project, create a title page instead of listing all authors in the header on page 1 of the essay. On the title page, list each student's full name, placing one name on each double-spaced line. After the final student name, enter the professor's name. After the professor's name, give the course name. The last line of the heading will be the date in 5 August 2021 format. Press Enter a few times to move down the page then give the paper title, centered.
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format MLA 9th Group Research Project Title Page Example](https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/63648/images/Group_Research_Project_Example.png)
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The mla guide for writing cover letters.
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The Modern Language Association, or MLA, style of writing is meant for academic papers. Submitting an MLA-style cover letter with your resume only makes sense if you are applying for an academic position, not a business position. With an MLA academic cover letter, the content will be different than a business cover letter both its quantity and its kind. Taking the time to follow specific information points when writing an MLA cover letter will draw an employer's attention to you and hopefully secure an interview.
Basic Information
Address your MLA cover letter as you normally would any other cover letter. Use personal stationery or print your address and other contact information on the sheet. Include the employer's address, the date and a greeting line. If you have address the letter specifically to one person, the greeting line should read "Dear Mr. Last Name." If your submission is to an academic review board, greet the board with "Dear Hiring Committee" or other appropriate title as it pertains to the situation.
First Paragraph
Make the first paragraph of the cover letter concise. State which job you are applying for and list any job code or departmental information, as needed. Include both the means through which you heard about the position and why you specifically are a good candidate to bring in for an interview. Your sales pitch begins in the first paragraph. Make sure that you offer strong reasons from the start.
Dissertation Emphasis
Emphasize how your thesis or dissertation during your graduate or doctorate work makes you qualified for the exact position. Perhaps no direct material qualification exists, but the amount of research it took and your general knowledge of the whole field in which you studied does qualify you. Note similarities that make you ideal for the job. Academic jobs also want to know you'll be comfortable in their specific institution. Address how your research background helps you fit in--religious study for a position at a Christian university, for example.
Incomplete Dissertation
Let the hiring committee or recruiter know in your cover letter if you have not yet finished your thesis or dissertation. In this case, outline the work you have completed, when you are scheduled to finish the work and your major findings. An incomplete dissertation is not necessarily a mark against you in the hiring process.
Close the MLA-style, academic cover letter with information about how you can be reached most easily. Refrain from retyping the information already listed on the page. Provide only your most-used form of communication, whether email or phone number. Include a thank you phrase and an expectant remark that shows confidence in your ability to obtain an interview. Close the letter with "Sincerely," followed by your full name and any credentials you have obtained.
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How to Apply Composition Techniques to a Cover Letter
Lesson plan, grade level.
Undergraduate (Face-to-Face or Online)
Students will learn how to apply the techniques learned in a college-level composition class to business writing and other genres they will write in during their future careers.
Students will reinforce their understanding of various ideas in composition studies discussed throughout the semester, including Aristotle’s Triangle, Toulmin’s Model, and paragraph structure. 1
Students will demonstrate their understanding of expository writing and argumentative approaches.
Background and Context
I provide these exercises near the end of a semester-long composition class to show students the relevancy of what they have been learning to nonacademic contexts. I teach the cover letter lesson in both Composition 1 and 2. Students say they appreciate the lesson since it helps them see how they can apply writing techniques beyond our class. This session occurs after we discuss résumé-writing tips, job research, and job-description analysis.
Total Estimated Class Time
A single class period (approx. 50 mins.)
Sequence of Activities
- Reading and Analysis (10–15 mins.)
Students read the sample cover letter, then complete exercise 1, in which they find the cover letter’s thesis, transitions, and elements they think were mentioned in the job description.
- Class Discussion (5 mins.)
As a class, we discuss and compare students’ answers. Usually, there is a little uncertainty as to what the thesis sentence is, so this discussion is crucial. It’s also helpful for students to see which transitions they spotted and which ones they missed. The last discussion point about the job-description elements further helps them comprehend how to refer to materials provided by an employer.
- Small-Group Analysis (15–20 mins.)
I break the class up into three groups: one focusing on general paragraph structure, one focusing on Aristotle’s Triangle, and the last one focusing on Toulmin’s Model. Using exercise 2, the students analyze and dissect structural points and observe how business writing requires the same conventions that expository essays do.
- Class Discussion (5–10 mins.)
Each group presents its responses and discusses how the overlapping concepts help to build this genre of writing.
Possible Follow-Up Activities
Using job descriptions that they find or that I provide, I ask the students to create their own cover letter for a particular job. Usually, I have them find job descriptions related to their majors. These descriptions are offered through job-posting sites. This approach helps them to see what types of jobs may be out there for their future careers. Since the cover letter can be sent when they are applying for actual jobs, the students are grateful to have a piece of writing that they can reuse.
After this stage, they post their cover letters to a peer-review forum, or, if time allows, they share them during small-group exercises in class.
Possible Alterations
I have used these exercises for online composition classes, making only minor adjustments. For online classes, I scaffold a bit more, so students turn in their responses for exercise 1 to a discussion board and respond to their peers’ answers. Afterward, I place students into the three types of groups used in exercise 2. Each group posts a response to a discussion board, and then other groups respond.
You can certainly use these assignments in secondary education courses as well. Even if you do not focus on Aristotle’s Triangle or Toulmin’s Model, you can still use the paragraph-structure exercise to reinforce how paragraphs are organized in any genre of writing.
1 Aristotle’s Triangle, also known as the rhetorical triangle, includes the foundational ways in which speakers or writers can appeal to their audiences. The three components include pathos (appeals to an audience’s emotion), logos (appeals to an audience’s sense of logic and reasoning), and ethos (appeals that establish an author’s credibility for an audience). Stephen Toulmin created his model to show the fundamental elements of argumentation in writing. The basic elements include claim, data, and warrant or synthesis. He argues that these three components are needed for any argument to be successful, and this structure is the basis for most paragraphs for expository writing. The traditional formula for structuring a paragraph involves starting with a topic sentence argument, followed by examples, and ending with synthesis sentences.
Lesson Materials
Like an Essay: Cover Letter Exercise 1 (Individual Exercise)Â
Like an Essay: Cover Letter Exercise 2 (Group Work)Â
Hassan Rezaei 21 January 2021 AT 04:01 AM
It is an interesting article. Can you provide or recommend books or other articles about Aristotle Triangle and Toulmin's Model in cover letter writing.
Your e-mail address will not be published
Michael J Berntsen 25 January 2021 AT 04:01 PM
Thank you for taking the time to review my lesson plan. I'm not familiar with any longer or specific investigations of how business writing relies on these concepts. These books contain a few general connections: "Arguing on the Toulmin Model: New Essays in Argument Analysis and Evaluation" (2006) by David Hitchcock and Bart Verheij (Editors) and "Technical and Business Communication in Two-Year Programs" (1985) by W. Keats Sparrow and Nell Ann Pickett (Editors). Also, this article features a direct connection between "ethos" and technical writing: C. P. Campbell, "Ethos: character and ethics in technical writing," in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 132-138, Sept. 1995, doi: 10.1109/47.406725.
I'll keep passing you more if I find anything in my previous research or conference notes.
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- Knowledge Base
- Creating an MLA title page
MLA Title Page | When You Need One & How to Format It
Published on July 12, 2021 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 5, 2024.
In MLA style , a title page is usually not required for your paper. Instead, MLA recommends including a header on your first page listing your name, your instructor’s name, the course name and number, and the submission date, followed by the title of your paper.
However, you should include a separate title page instead in these cases:
- Your instructor requires it
- The paper is a group project (i.e. you need to list multiple authors)
The formats for a separate title page and a first-page header are shown below. You can also use our templates in Word or Google Docs.
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Table of contents
Mla title page format, creating an mla header, frequently asked questions about mla format.
To create an MLA format title page, list the following on separate lines, left-aligned at the top of the page:
- Your co-authors’ names, each on its own line, if it’s a group project
- Your instructor’s name
- The course name and number
- The submission date
Then leave a few blank lines and list the title of the paper, centered and in title case, halfway down the page. All text should be double-spaced and in the same font as the rest of the paper.
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Most MLA papers will instead list this information in a header , which appears on the same page as your opening paragraphs instead of on a separate page before them. In the header, left-aligned, list
Then on the next line, write the title of your paper, centered and in title case. On the line after that, start your first paragraph. The header and title should be double-spaced, like the rest of the paper.
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format MLA header](https://www.scribbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mla-header-1.png)
Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:
- Your instructor requires one, or
- Your paper is a group project
In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.
If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .
On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.
MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.
MLA Style  is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.
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MLA Sample Paper
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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.
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This resource contains a sample MLA paper that adheres to the 2016 updates. To download the MLA sample paper, click this link .
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This page contains general guidelines on how to properly format the headings on your research paper using the MLA format.
If your instructor requires you to make a cover page, please follow instructions here .
1. The Opening Page:
On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper’s title. The whole heading would include the following information:
- Your Instructor’s Name
- Your Class Information
- Your Paper’s Due Date
- Font: choose an easy to read font such as Times New Roman.
- Font Size: set the font size to be twelve (12) throughout your research paper, including your paper’s title. Never set the font site larger than 12.
- Margins: 1-inch for top/bottom/right/left throughout your paper.
- Double-space: double-space throughout your paper. Don’t add extra spaces (besides double-space) between your headings, your title and your paragraphs.
Sample of the opening page:
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://academictips.org/mla-format/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/03/sample-research-paper-format.png)
A sample of the first page of your paper.
2. The Inner Pages:
For the pages that follow the first page, set the heading like this: instead of the whole heading, you would use the header feature on your word-processing program and including the following information: Your Name and Page Number.
Inner Page Example:
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://academictips.org/mla-format/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/03/mla-heading-inner-page.png)
Example of the heading for inner pages.
3. The Works Cited Page:
Every research paper must include a works cited page.
- The works cited list is placed at the end of your paper, on a new page.
- The heading for your works cited pages should be the same as the heading for your inner pages, which include your name and the page number at the top.
- Enter the title as “ Works Cited ” and place this title 1-inch from the top of the page, see more details in the example illustration picture below.
Example of the Works Cited page:
![does a cover letter have to be in mla format](https://academictips.org/mla-format/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/03/mla-format-works-cited.png)
Example of the Works Cited page.
– MLA Handbook, 8th edition
what is mla title page
I didn’t know of this either, but basically is is a cover page for different assignments. Where it presents the title, date, author, ect.
Thank you so much for putting this together! It’s a real life-saver!
This is really a use site, it help me a lot to learn the MLA format. thans to the person who created this site.
they are help alot
Very helpful!
how should i do sub-headings????
How do I cite an internet reference in MLA?
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17+ MLA Letter Format – Examples, Email Template, Wording Ideas
- Letter Format
- March 6, 2024
- Business Letters , Cover Letters , Formal Letters , Friendly Letters
MLA Letter Format : The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used for academic writing in the humanities . MLA Cover letter format is a standard format used for writing formal letters in the MLA style . This article will provide guidelines and examples for MLA letter format.
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MLA Letter Format Tips
Content in this article
General Guidelines:
- Use standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper for your Business letter .
- Use a legible font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and a font size of 12.
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Include a header with your name, instructor’s name, course title, and date in the upper left-hand corner of the first page.
- Use block format, meaning all text is left-aligned, with single-spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between paragraphs.
- Include a closing and signature, and leave space for your signature and printed name.
Letter Components:
- Your Address: Type your name, address, phone number, and email address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Date: Skip a line and add the date under your address.
- Recipient’s Address: Skip another line and add the recipient’s name, title, organization or company, address, and city, state, and zip code.
- Salutation: Skip another line and add a salutation. If you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to, use “Dear Sir or Madam.”
- Body: Skip another line and begin your letter with an introduction that briefly explains the purpose of your letter. The body of your MLA Letter Format should contain the main message you want to convey. Use clear and concise language and avoid using jargon or technical terms that your reader may not understand. You can also include any supporting evidence, such as data or examples, to strengthen your argument.
- Closing: Skip a line and add a closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” If you’re writing to someone you know well, you can use a more informal closing, such as “Take care” or “Cheers.” Follow your closing with a comma.
- Signature: Skip four lines and include your handwritten signature. If you’re sending an electronic letter, you can use a digital signature.
- Printed Name: Skip two lines and type your full name.
MLA Letter Format – Sample Format
Below is a Sample Format of MLA Letter Format:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Title, if applicable] [Company or Institution Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient’s Last Name],
[Opening Paragraph:] Begin the letter with a formal salutation, such as “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],”. If you have a specific title for the recipient, include it in the salutation.
[Body Paragraphs:] Compose the body of the letter, ensuring that each paragraph is indented. Maintain a formal tone and structure, and use clear and concise language to convey your message.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by summarizing your main points and expressing gratitude or goodwill. Use a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully,” followed by your signature.
[Your Full Name (Typed)] [Your Signature, if sending a physical letter]
[Note: The above template provides a general outline for a formal MLA letter. Adjust the content and formatting based on the specific context and purpose of your letter.]
MLA Letter Format – Example
Here’s an Example of MLA Letter Format:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Recipient Name]
[Recipient Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the position of [Job Title] that was recently advertised on [Source of the job advertisement]. I am a recent graduate of [Name of University] with a degree in [Your Field of Study], and I believe that my education and experience make me an ideal candidate for the role.
In addition to my academic background, I have gained valuable skills through internships and volunteer work in [Related Field]. I am particularly drawn to this position because [Reasons Why You Are Interested In This Position]. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong fit for the role.
Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume and references for your review. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need further information.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Formal Letter in MLA Style
A template for crafting formal letters in MLA style, incorporating proper formatting, structured paragraphs, and appropriate salutations and closings for clear and professional communication.
[Note: This format adheres to the MLA style for formal letters. Ensure that you follow any specific guidelines provided by your institution or publication.]
MLA Friendly Letter Format
The Modern Language Association (MLA) does not provide specific guidelines for friendly letters, as it mainly focuses on academic writing. However, you can follow a general friendly letter format with informal language, maintaining clarity and friendliness:
[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient’s First Name],
[Opening Paragraph:] Begin the letter with a warm greeting, mentioning your relationship or any shared experiences.
[Body Paragraphs:] Share your news, stories, or any relevant information. Keep the tone casual and friendly, allowing your personality to shine through.
[Closing Paragraph:] Wrap up the letter with a friendly closing, expressing anticipation for future communication or sharing plans to meet.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
Remember, the key to a friendly letter is to maintain a warm and approachable tone while following basic letter-writing conventions.
MLA Letter Format – Template
This is a Template of MLA Letter Format:
I am writing to request an extension on the deadline for my [Name of Assignment] assignment. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have been unable to complete the assignment on time, and I am hoping to request an extension until [New Deadline Date].
I understand that this may cause inconvenience, and I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. I assure you that I will use the additional time to ensure that the assignment is of the highest quality.
Thank you for your understanding. Please let me know if you require any further information or documentation.
MLA Style Letter to a Professor
A template for crafting a formal letter to a professor in MLA style, ensuring a respectful tone, clear structure, and adherence to academic conventions.
[Professor’s Full Name] [Department] [University Name] [University Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
[Opening Paragraph:] Begin with a formal salutation, addressing the professor respectfully, such as “Dear Professor [Last Name],”.
[Body Paragraphs:] Compose the body of the letter, maintaining a formal tone and structure. Clearly state the purpose of your letter and provide any necessary context or details.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by expressing gratitude and including a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully,” followed by your signature.
[Note: Follow specific guidelines provided by your educational institution for any additional details or requirements for communication with professors using MLA style.]
MLA Format for Application Letter
A structured template for an application letter in MLA format, designed for clarity and professionalism in presenting qualifications and intentions for a job or academic position.
[Employer’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Employer’s Last Name],
[Opening Paragraph:] Begin the letter with a formal salutation, such as “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],”.
[Body Paragraphs:] Compose the body of the letter, ensuring each paragraph is indented. Clearly state the purpose of your application, highlight your qualifications, and express your interest in the position.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by summarizing your main points, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity, and using a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully.”
[Note: Adapt the content based on the specific requirements of the job application and follow any additional guidelines provided by the employer or institution.]
MLA Recommendation Letter
A template for crafting a recommendation letter in MLA format, designed to convey a professional and detailed endorsement of an individual’s capabilities and attributes.
[Recipient’s Full Name] [Title, if applicable] [Institution or Company Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
[Body Paragraphs:] Compose the body of the letter, maintaining a formal tone and structure. Clearly state your recommendation for the individual, providing specific examples of their qualifications, skills, and character.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by summarizing the individual’s strengths and expressing confidence in their abilities. Use a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully.”
[Note: Follow specific guidelines provided by the institution or employer regarding the content and formatting of recommendation letters in MLA style.]
Email Format about MLA Letter format
Here’s an Email Format for MLA Letter Format:
Subject: MLA Letter Format
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inquire about the proper MLA letter format for my upcoming assignment/job application. I am aware that MLA is mostly associated with academic writing, but I was informed that it is also appropriate for letter writing.
Could you please provide me with some guidelines or a sample of an MLA letter format that I can follow? I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide.
Thank you in advance for your time and help. Please let me know if you require any further information from me.
Email Format about MLA Letter Format
MLA Resignation Letter
A template for creating a resignation letter in MLA format, ensuring a clear and respectful expression of your decision to resign and gratitude for the opportunities during your tenure.
[Recipient’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
[Opening Paragraph:] Begin with a formal salutation, such as “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],”.
[Body Paragraphs:] Compose the body of the letter, maintaining a formal tone and structure. Clearly state your intention to resign from your position, provide the effective date of your resignation, and express gratitude for the opportunities.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by expressing appreciation for the experience gained and offering assistance during the transition. Use a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully.”
[Note: Follow specific guidelines provided by your company and ensure that the content of the letter aligns with professional standards.]
MLA Acknowledgment Letter
A template for drafting an acknowledgment letter in MLA format, designed to convey appreciation and recognition formally, adhering to clear and organized communication standards.
[Body Paragraphs:] Express your gratitude and acknowledgment in a formal tone. Clearly state the purpose of the acknowledgment, providing any necessary details.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by summarizing the acknowledgment and expressing appreciation. Use a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully.”
[Note: Adapt the content based on the specific acknowledgment being made and follow any additional guidelines provided by the institution or organization.]
MLA Thank You Letter
A template for creating a thank-you letter in MLA format, designed to convey appreciation in a formal and organized manner, adhering to the principles of MLA style for clear and effective communication.
[Body Paragraphs:] Express your gratitude in a formal tone. Clearly state the purpose of the thank-you letter and provide specific details about why you are grateful.
[Closing Paragraph:] Conclude the letter by summarizing your appreciation and expressing thanks again. Use a closing phrase such as “Sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully.”
[Note: Tailor the content based on the specific context and reason for expressing thanks. Follow any additional guidelines provided by the institution or organization.]
FAQS for MLA Letter Format – Examples, Email Template, Wording Ideas
How do i format a letter in mla style.
Ensure your MLA Letter Format follows MLA conventions, including proper heading, salutation, body paragraphs with indentation, and a formal closing.
Can I use MLA Letter Format for email correspondence?
While MLA Letter Format is primarily for academic writing, you can apply its principles to emails by incorporating proper formatting and maintaining a professional tone.
Are there specific guidelines for addressing recipients in MLA Letter Format?
Yes, This MLA Letter Format address recipients formally using titles (Mr., Ms., Dr.) and include their last name in the salutation (e.g., “Dear Dr. Smith”).
What is the recommended font and size for MLA Letter Format?
Use a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12, for MLA Letter Format to ensure readability and adherence to MLA style.
Can I include bullet points or lists in An MLA Letter Format?
MLA Letter Format generally prefers narrative writing, but if the content benefits from lists, use clear and concise bullet points, ensuring they follow MLA conventions for formatting.
MLA Letter Format is a standard format used for writing formal letters in the MLA style . By following the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can write a clear and concise letter that conveys your message effectively .
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How to Format Your MLA Cover Page: This page is double spaced and the letters are centered. The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
MLA Formatting and Style Guide The following overview should help you better understand how to cite sources using MLA 9 th edition, including how to format the Works Cited page and in-text citations.
MLA General Format MLA Style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in writing. MLA Style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages.
The MLA Handbook provides guidelines for creating MLA citations and formatting academic papers. This includes advice on structuring parenthetical citations, the Works Cited page, and tables and figures. This quick guide will help you set up your MLA format paper in no time.
Sample MLA Paper MLA Research Paper Template Properly formatted MLA Style research paper. Download and save to your computer so that you will always have the correct format for writing.
Learn how to format your student paper using MLA 9th edition. Step-by-step explainer with examples and a free MLA template.
MLA format is a set of formatting and citation guidelines for how an academic paper should look, similar to other styles such as Chicago or APA format. We use MLA format for topics in the humanities, including languages, philosophy, and the arts, but not history (which uses Chicago) or the social sciences, like psychology or education (which use APA format).
How to Format Your MLA Cover Page: This page is double spaced and the letters are centered. The first letter of each word should be capitalized with the exception of very short words such as: the, and, of, or, a, an, in, to, for. Note: the first letter of the first word should be capitalized, regardless of what kind of word it is.
We'll walk you through MLA formatting and citations using examples of in-text citations, Works Cited citations, and a downloadable MLA Works Cited page.
An MLA-style research paper does not include a cover page, unless your teacher specifically asks for it. In the upper left corner of the first page (but not in the header space) type the following information: your name, the teacher's name, the course title and block, the date.
MLA Paper Format MLA is pretty easy to format if you can remember a few rules: Don't use a cover sheet. The first sheet of your paper is the first page of your essay. Number your pages with your last name and the page number in the upper-right-hand corner (see below) Use 1" margins all around Center your title Use the heading below (name, professor's name, course, and date) Double space the ...
Above is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using MLA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an MLA style paper.
The Modern Language Association, or MLA, style of writing is meant for academic papers. Submitting an MLA-style cover letter with your resume only makes sense if you are applying for an academic position, not a business position. With an MLA academic cover letter, the content will be different than a business cover ...
When a cover page is required, it has specific rules for what to include and how to format it that depend on the style. In this guide, we explain how to create a cover page in different formatting styles and what you need to use it correctly.
This page provides a down-and-dirty guide to writing cover letters. Here you will find brief answers and lists of what you should include in a cover letter, how to order and format such a letter, and what to do before sending it out.
Reading and Analysis (10-15 mins.) Students read the sample cover letter, then complete exercise 1, in which they find the cover letter's thesis, transitions, and elements they think were mentioned in the job description. Class Discussion (5 mins.) As a class, we discuss and compare students' answers. Usually, there is a little ...
To write a paper in MLA format, you need a running header with your last name and page number, 1-inch margins on all sides, indents when starting a new paragraph, and a readable font. You'll also cite your sources in-text and on your works cited page using MLA format citations.
Learn to format the MLA cover page of your research paper correctly with these simple steps. We show you how to format the text, margins, page numbers, etc.
MLA title page format. To create an MLA format title page, list the following on separate lines, left-aligned at the top of the page: Then leave a few blank lines and list the title of the paper, centered and in title case, halfway down the page. All text should be double-spaced and in the same font as the rest of the paper.
A cover letter format is similar to a one-page business letter format. It should have one-inch margins on all sides, size 10-12 font in Times New Roman or Calibri, and 1.15 line spacing.
This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. This resource contains a sample MLA paper that adheres to the 2016 updates. To download the MLA sample paper, click this link.
MLA Format Headings. This page contains general guidelines on how to properly format the headings on your research paper using the MLA format. If your instructor requires you to make a cover page, please follow instructions here. 1. The Opening Page: On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper's ...
MLA Letter Format: The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used for academic writing in the humanities. MLA Cover letter format is a standard format used for writing formal letters in the MLA style. This article will provide guidelines and examples for MLA letter format.