MLA Research Paper Formatting
- MLA 9th Template & Paper Sample
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MLA Style (9th Edition)
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You are going to love this! Save this template somewhere safe or e-mail it to yourself. Then resave it immediately with the name of your new document. This will keep your template safe and ready to reuse again for future assignments.
This template will be sufficient for most student MLA papers. For more information on formatting your paper, consult the official MLA Style website: https://mlahandbookplus.org/books/book/5/chapter/56247/Introduction-to-Formatting-Your-Research-Project or pages 1-14 in the MLA Manual.
- Purdue Owl Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
- Sample Papers - MLA Style Center PDFs available of the 2022 MLA Student Essay Contest winners.
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Sample Paper Formatted in MLA Style from OWL Purdue
- Sample MLA Paper Below is a sample paper from OWL Purdue formatted to MLA Standards
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Citation Guides
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- APA Sample Paper
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MLA Sample Paper
- Theological/Philosophical Citations
The following PDF provides a sample paper written in the MLA style to demonstrate visually how the guidelines work in action. This PDF is used with thanks and full credit to the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) , which maintains a robust online guide to a variety of style guides, avoiding plagiarism, and writing at the academic level in general. They are strongly recommended as a resource if you need something more in depth than this guide provides.
“MLA Sample Paper.” MLA Sample Paper - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University , Purdue OWL / Purdue University, 21 Oct. 2019, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_sample_paper.html. Accessed on 28 Sept. 2023.
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MLA Formatting and Style Guide
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In-Text Citations
Resources on using in-text citations in MLA style
Works Cited Page
Resources on writing an MLA style works cited page, including citation formats
Other MLA Resources
How do I style headings and subheadings in a research paper?
Headings and subheadings can help organize and structure your writing. In general, longer and more complex works warrant more of them than shorter ones. Avoid overusing headings in short projects; they should never be used to compensate for poor structure or to explain an underdeveloped idea.
When headings are called for in your writing project, observe the basic guidelines below.
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 1.5 of the MLA Handbook .
The shorter, the better.
- MJC Library & Learning Center
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Format Your Paper & Cite Your Sources
Mla style (8th/9th ed.).
- Citing Sources
- Avoid Plagiarism
MLA Citation Style Video
Formatting your paper, formatting your works cited page, citation examples, in-text citation basics, mla annotated bibliography example, noodletools.
- APA Style, 7th Edition
- Chicago Style
- Harvard Style
- Other Styles
- Annotated Bibliographies
- How to Create an Attribution
What is MLA Style?
Created by the Modern Language Association, MLA is most often used by the Humanities, which includes languages, literature, philosophy, visual & performing arts.
Watch this short but excellent video from Hayden Memorial Library at Citrus College, It walks you through creating an MLA citation and the corresponding in-text citation
- Margins: 1" all around (except for the page number)
- Font: Easily readable typeface set to a standard size (Times-New Roman 12pt is always safe)
- Line-spacing: Double-space throughout the paper, including heading, title, block quotes, and Works Cited.
- Page Numbers: All pages are numbered in right hand corner, 1/2" from top. Last name appears before the page numbers.
- Heading: Top left corner. Your name, your instructor's name, course number, date. Date must be written dd Month yyyy.
- Title: Centered. Plain (no italics, underlining, or font variation). Standard double-spacing between heading/title, and title/first line of paper.
Use Word to Format Your Paper:
This brief video will show you how to use Word 2010 to format your paper.
Use Google Docs to Format Your Paper:
This brief video will show you how to set up your document in MLA format using Google Docs.
Sample MLA Papers:
- MLA Sample Paper (Purdue OWL) This paper includes instructions for formatting your paper.
- Sample Paper from MLA Style Center
Placement: The Works Cited list appears at the end of the paper, on its own page(s) . For example, If your research paper ends on page 8, your Works Cited begins on page 9.
Arrangement: Alphabetize entries by author's last name. If source has no named author, alphabetize by the title, ignoring A, An, or The.
Spacing: Like the rest of the MLA paper, the Works Cited list is double-spaced throughout. Be sure NOT to add extra spaces between citations.
Indentation: To make citations easier to scan, add a hanging indent to any citation that runs more than one line.
Citation Examples and Template:
Use the links below to see examples of source citations and practice using one of the templates.
If you don't find what you need below, check out the MLA's, Ask the MLA .
- MLA Citations - Containers
- MLA Citation Examples (Yellow Handout)
- MLA Practice Template (Printable)
- Interactive Practice Template (Online)
Citation Examples by Format:
- How to Cite a Book
- How to Cite a Book Chapter or Handout Professor Uploaded to a Website
- How to Cite Online Work
- How to Cite an Online Lecture or Speech
- How Do I Cite Generative AI in MLA style?
- How to Cite a Song, Recording, or Performance
- How to Cite a Movie, Video, or Television Show
- How to Cite an Image
What Are In-Text Citations?
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that tell your readers that a) you've used an outside source, and b) point them toward that source in your Works Cited list. Where relevant, the in-text citation also points your reader to the location in the source being cited (e.g. page number).
The in-text citation can appear within the body of your paper, within a parentheses, or a combination of the two.
You need to cite all direct quotations, paraphrased information, and summarized ideas.
What To Include in an In-Text Citation
- An in-text citation begins with the shortest piece of information that directs your reader to the entry in the Works Cited list. Therefore, it begins with what ever comes first in the entry: the author’s name or the title of the work.
- Most often, an MLA in-text citation begins with the author's last name followed by the page number : (Jones 14).
- If there is no author, use the "Title" of the source: ("Global Warming" 129).
If page numbers are available, they MUST be listed. This often means examining the pdf version of database articles to locate page numbers.
Detailed Rules
- For most citations, the parenthetical reference is placed BEFORE the punctuation:
Magnesium can be effective in treating PMS (Haggerty 42).
- Direct quotes longer than 4 lines are indented an extra 1/2 inch, the quotation marks are removed, and the parenthetical comes AFTER punctuation.
A preliminary study presented recently at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting found that getting enough sleep was associated with greater protection of death from all causes.If magnesium does work to help someone get a little shuteye, that may be because it is acting on certain receptors on the surface of brain cells to quiet down brain cell activity.The nutrient acts on the benzodiazepine receptor, which is the same receptor used by Valium-type drugs and the sleep medication Ambien. (Gurubhagavatula)
- If author name or title is used within the text, do NOT list it again within parenthesis.
Haggerty notes magnesium is effective at relieving some symptoms of PMS (42).
- MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue.
- In-Text Citations: An Overview from the MLA Style Center.
MLA tells us that, you should cite a source in an annotated bibliography just as you would in a list of works cited and then append an annotation to the end of the entry. Annotations describe and/or evaluate sources. Further, annotations should not rehash minor details, cite evidence, quote the author, or recount steps in an argument. Writing an effective annotation requires reading the work, understanding its aims, and clearly summarizing them.
To learn more about annotated bibliographies click on the link below from Purdue OWL
Sample annotated bibliography using mla.
- MLA 9 Annotated Bibliography Sample
Annotated Bibliography Template
You may also want to use the template below. Just type over the words in the template with your own information, citations, and annotations.
- MLA, 9th ed. Annotated Bibliography Template
Use NoodleTools to help you create your citations .
It's easy; it's a form you fill out with the information about your source; it helps you catch mistakes.
- NoodleTools Express Use NoodleTools Express to create citations on the fly in MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
- NoodleTools (Login Full Database) This link opens in a new window Create and organize your research notes, share and collaborate on research projects, compose and error check citations, and complete your list of works cited in MLA, APA, or Chicago style using the full version of NoodleTools. You'll need to Create a Personal ID and password the first time you use NoodleTools.
NoodleTools Help:
- NoodleTools Help Desk Look up questions and answers on the NoodleTools Web site
- NoodleTools for Researchers Research guide created for MJC students
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Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and CC BY-NC 4.0 Licenses .
Citations: MLA Paper Format
- Why We Cite
- Definitions
- APA Citations
- APA In-Text
- APA Paper Format
- MLA Citations
- MLA In-text
- MLA Paper Format
- Online Tools
- Other Citation Styles
- WCC Writing Center
MLA Handbook
A copy of this book is available at the help desk.
MLA Style FAQs
- Generative A.I. and M.L.A. Style Learn what the M.L.A. recommends about using and citing generative A.I. tools.
Purdue Owl: MLA
- Purdue OWL: MLA Style Guide
Click on the link above to be taken to the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. The OWL has information on how to format your papers, craft your citations, and provides tutorials on how to do everything in between.
Microsoft Word: How to Set Up MLA Format 2015
Google Docs: MLA Format Essay (2016)
Writing Your Paper: MLA
Things to know before you begin:
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12 point
- Margins: 1 inch
- Paragraphs: All paragraphs should be indented.
- Spacing: All of the text in your paper should be double-spaced.
Typical MLA style papers have two sections:
- Works Cited
See the boxes below for a breakdown of how each portion should be formatted.
Sample Paper: MLA
- MLA Style Center: Sample Papers in MLA Style
- Purdue OWL: MLA Sample Paper
- Sample Paper MLA: 3D Printing An example of an accurately-formatted MLA-style paper.
Main Body: MLA
- MLA Style Center: Formatting a Research Paper If your instructor has specific requirements for the format of your research paper, check with them before preparing your final draft. The most common formatting is presented here.
- Purdue OWL: MLA General Format Click the link above for further information on general formatting using MLA style.
Works Cited: MLA
- MLA Style Center: Works Cited: A Quick Guide
- Purdue OWL: MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format
- Purdue OWL: MLA Sample Works Cited Page
How to Create a Hanging Indent
- Create a Hanging Indent: Google Docs Learn how to create a hanging indent in Google Docs.
- Create a Hanging Indent: MS Word Learn how to create a hanging indent in Microsoft Word.
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MLA 9th Edition Style Guide
Useful links, available at the wlac library reference desk, citation tools.
- BibMe This is a fully automatic bibliography maker that auto-fills: MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian
- Citation Builder This is a web-based tool designed to quickly and easily generate citations for sources consulted during the research process.
- KnightCite MLA, APA, Chicago
- Citation Machine APA, MLA, Turabian, Chicago
- Scribbr APA and MLA
Citation Managers
Can't make it to the library? Chat with a librarian any time!
Modern Language Association (MLA) Provides a “universal set of guidelines” for citing sources across all format types and is commonly used iin English Studies, Language and Literature, Literary Criticism, Comparative Literature, and Cultural studies.
Citing sources and creating a Bibliography:
- Gives credit to the author(s)
- Illustrates your ability to locate & evaluate appropriate sources
- Provides evidence for the arguments and conclusions in your paper
- Prevents plagiarism and copyright infringement
- MLA Style Center - Use this site to get help with formatting your paper and citing sources.
- Purdue OWL MLA Format - Use this website for more detail information on how to format your research paper or cite a source.
- In-Text Citation - Consult with this guide to ensure you correctly cite your sources in your paper.
- MLA Tutorial - A simplified guide to MLA style.
- MLA Format: The Basics (Video) - Learn more about the basics of MLA format by watching the very short 3 minutes video.
Print Book with One Author: Author’s Last Name (comma) Author’s First Name (period) Title of Container (Book) (italicized or underlined) (period) Publisher’s Name (comma) Year of Publication (period)
Smith, John. How I Survived High School. Funny Press, 2015.
Ebook with One Author: Author’s Last Name (comma) Author’s First Name (period) Title of Container 1 (Book) (italicized or underlined) (period) Publisher’s Name (comma) Year of Publication (period) Title of Container 2 (Database) (italicized or underlined) (comma) Location (URL) (period)
Smith, John. How I Survived Getting Married. Funniest Press, 2018. eBook Academic Collection , search-ebscohost-com.lasc.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=102032611fakeurl&site=ehost-live.
In-Text Citation (From Columbia College Guide): In MLA, in-text citations are inserted in the body of your research paper to briefly document the source of your information. Brief in-text citations point the reader to more complete information in the Works Cited list at the end of the paper.
- MLA Paper Template Use this template for your own APA style paper.
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- URL: https://libguides.wlac.edu/MLA
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Purdue Owl: MLA Formatting & Style Guide
Developed by the Purdue Online Writing Lab. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Author/Editor (By:)
Contributor, corporate author, related organizations, citation type.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Welcome to the Purdue OWL. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. ... This resource contains a sample MLA paper that adheres to the 2016 updates. To download the MLA sample paper, click this link. Resources. Communication. OneCampus Portal; Brightspace ...
This handout includes a brief introduction to the following genres of essay writing: The Modes of Discourse—Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)—are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the ...
Note: The MLA considers the term "e-book" to refer to publications formatted specifically for reading with an e-book reader device (e.g., a Kindle) or a corresponding web application.These e-books will not have URLs or DOIs. If you are citing book content from an ordinary webpage with a URL, use the "A Page on a Web Site" format above.
This vidcast discusses how to format a paper using Microsoft Word according to MLA style. To learn more about MLA style, please visit the following resource ...
Congratulations to the students whose essays were selected for the 2024 edition of Writing with MLA Style! Essays were selected as examples of excellent student writing that use MLA style for citing sources. Essays have been lightly edited. If your institution subscribes to MLA Handbook Plus, you can access annotated versions of the essays selected …
MLA Style (9th Edition) Template. Sample Papers. You are going to love this! Save this template somewhere safe or e-mail it to yourself. Then resave it immediately with the name of your new document. This will keep your template safe and ready to reuse again for future assignments. This template will be sufficient for most student MLA papers.
MLA Style Center, the only authorized Web site on MLA style, provides free resources on research, writing, and documentation. ... Ask the MLA; Sample Essays: Writing with MLA Style; Using MLA Format; Works Cited: A Quick Guide; Teaching Resources. A Century of Queer Korean Fiction: An Interview with Samuel Perry
Learn how to format your paper in MLA style with this guide from Mississippi College. Includes examples, tips, and links to other resources.
The following PDF provides a sample paper written in the MLA style to demonstrate visually how the guidelines work in action. This PDF is used with thanks and full credit to the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), which maintains a robust online guide to a variety of style guides, avoiding plagiarism, and writing at the academic level in general ...
Suggested Resources. Style Guide Overview MLA Guide APA Guide Chicago Guide OWL Exercises. Purdue OWL. General Writing. Writing Style. Writing Style.
Resources on using in-text citations in MLA style. The Basics General guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay Works Cited Page. Resources on writing an MLA style works cited page, including citation formats. Basic Format Basic guidelines for formatting the works cited page at the end of an MLA style paper
Cite your MLA source. Start by applying these MLA format guidelines to your document: Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman. Set 1 inch page margins. Use double line spacing. Include a ½" indent for new paragraphs. Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page. Center the paper's title.
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 ...
MLA Sample Paper (Purdue OWL) This paper includes instructions for formatting your paper. Sample Paper from MLA Style Center. Formatting Your Works Cited Page. Placement: The Works Cited list appears at the end of the paper, on its own page(s). For example, If your research paper ends on page 8, your Works Cited begins on page 9.
In 2016, the MLA Handbook introduced a template using core elements in an effort to simplify much of the documentation process in MLA format. In 2021, the ninth edition was expanded with considerably more content and visuals. MLA Formatting: The Basics. Papers constructed according to MLA guidelines should adhere to the following elements:
Purdue OWL: MLA Sample Paper. Sample Paper MLA: 3D Printing. An example of an accurately-formatted MLA-style paper. Main Body: MLA. MLA Style Center: Formatting a Research Paper. If your instructor has specific requirements for the format of your research paper, check with them before preparing your final draft. The most common formatting is ...
MLA Style Center - Use this site to get help with formatting your paper and citing sources.; Purdue OWL MLA Format - Use this website for more detail information on how to format your research paper or cite a source.; In-Text Citation - Consult with this guide to ensure you correctly cite your sources in your paper.; MLA Tutorial - A simplified guide to MLA style.
Developed by the Purdue Online Writing Lab. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Writing an MLA style paper and need something to reference? Check out Excelsior Online Writing Lab's collection of MLA sample papers.
Revised on March 5, 2024. When you include a long quote in an MLA paper, you have to format it as a block quote. MLA style (8th edition) requires block quote formatting for: An MLA block quote is set on a new line, indented 0.5 inches, with no quotation marks. The MLA in-text citation goes after the period at the end of the block quote.
General Guidelines. Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another.