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MLA Format

When you write your research paper, depending on the field of your study, you need to follow a specific format.

The use of a specific format is like mathematicians use symbols to transmit information. Each field i.e. physics, chemistry… designed styles to meet their specific needs. When you study in a particular field, you need to follow their specific format.

MLA Format Guidelines:

How to Setup Your Software:

Some Existing Formats:

Format:Fields:
MLA FormatUsed in English, foreign language, literature courses, humanities.
APA FormatUsed in social sciences, education, engineering and business.
Chicago FormatUsed in history, economics and social sciences.
AAA FormatUsed in anthropology and ethnography.
CSE FormatUsed in biological sciences.
AMA FormatUsed in Biomedical sciences, medicine and nursing.
ACS FormatUsed in chemistry.
AIP FormatUsed in physics.
Bluebook FormatUsed in American academic legal writing.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • yvianne October 2, 2019, 2:05 pm

    very good to use

  • james September 20, 2019, 10:59 pm

    thank you

  • Micheal April 30, 2019, 9:09 pm

    No website is telling me what double spacing is, so what is it? (o_o)?

    • Guiselle May 1, 2019, 3:29 pm

      Double spacing is when every line in your paper is separated by a double space. Some people get confused and think it’s a double space between words. I’m not sure if you have a Mac or Windows, but for Mac if you’re using word and you Click on ToolBox, you should see something that says “Alignment and Spacing”, then find alone Spacing and click on the double space option.

  • Sebastian March 25, 2019, 10:07 am

    Thanks

  • calvin March 13, 2019, 12:35 pm

    this site helped me finish up a research paper and I want to give this site credit in my works cited page.

  • Ahmet Angun February 5, 2019, 7:01 pm

    Keep trying, you can do it!

  • Harry Butts March 21, 2017, 8:36 am

    Y’all can do it!

    • Zach July 26, 2019, 11:35 am

      thanks harry butts!!!

  • Jessica September 7, 2016, 1:19 am

    Thank you so much for posting such great detailed instructions on how to format! 🙂

  • Gavin January 27, 2016, 12:38 pm

    BabyBlue Thanks man

  • Jesus T December 16, 2015, 10:55 am

    Really helpful! Thanks!

  • Dannis December 2, 2015, 6:18 pm

    Wow awesome it helps

  • Becca October 4, 2015, 1:55 pm

    How do you MLA cite a web address? Thanks….

  • Ariana September 30, 2015, 11:51 am

    ok so i have to do this stupid format essay i only have one left and i dont know what to do im so confused!! D:

  • Anynomous May 26, 2015, 11:04 am

    MLA format is a bit difficult, and boring! Essays have always been trouble for my grade. 🙁
    Anyone agree?

  • Sibi March 12, 2015, 7:02 am

    Thanks man

  • Cool kid November 3, 2014, 3:14 pm

    I am writing an English paper and this is my first time in five years that I have to use MLA formatting and i was wondering how the works cited page should look like

  • Bobjoel October 16, 2014, 1:37 pm

    This was very helpful. Wish everyone good luck at Nodaway ValleyMiddle School

  • Kelly Smith March 10, 2014, 4:54 pm

    This website was helpful a little.

  • Jillian February 10, 2014, 10:17 am

    I love this.

  • Alah Akbar November 12, 2013, 9:31 am

    This helped me.

  • John October 31, 2013, 3:35 pm

    Thank you.

  • Donna stransky September 4, 2013, 7:53 pm

    Can you make lists with mla?

  • Sadie January 29, 2013, 9:10 pm

    On my note cards, if i don’t know what the subject is for my note, what do i put if i don’t want my teacher to yell at me?

  • Zedd January 7, 2013, 9:37 am

    This was a BIG help! You broke it down very simply, and I really appreciate that!

  • Angelia Bugg December 9, 2012, 11:11 pm

    This was a BIG help! You broke it down very simply, and I really appreciate that!

  • Mikayla October 29, 2012, 9:43 am

    This is hard ):

  • Matt October 10, 2012, 1:43 pm

    I love it.

  • Victoria October 2, 2012, 6:07 pm

    Thank you so much! I am giving this link to all of my students.

  • Kyle April 24, 2012, 1:05 pm

    I used to be good at writing, until I took an arrow to the knee!

  • Shellie April 3, 2012, 2:15 pm

    What is the deal with spaces after the period? When I was in school it was 2 spaces after a . Now it seems to be 1, what is the offical way to do it?

    • Stephen April 3, 2012, 3:09 pm

      Hi Shellie! The MLA Manual recommends one space after a period but it said if we would like to use two spaces, we are free to do so. Just be consistent throughout the paper.

  • Kevin April 2, 2012, 9:41 am

    This is the best site ever.

  • LIB March 29, 2012, 12:34 pm

    Yes, this was helpful, thanks.

  • David B. March 27, 2012, 8:28 pm

    About 4 years ago my 6th grade teacher, Tim “Madwords” Madden, taught us the useful acronym Soft Tacos So Delicious for the heading meaning Student Name, Teacher Name, Subject, Date and now as I write an essay 4 years later I still remember it and it still helps. I miss having him for English!

  • Vania March 7, 2012, 4:10 am

    If there are 2 authors in a paper, what should we write on the header?

    • Stephen March 8, 2012, 11:45 am

      Hi Vania, use the word “and” to separate the authors.

  • Melissa March 6, 2012, 11:12 pm

    When using mla format, is it required to have 5 paragraphs?

  • Saad March 5, 2012, 11:55 pm

    Question: May you please explain to me about and “Introduction”, “Hook”, and “Thesis”, please?
    Thank you.

  • Jovell March 2, 2012, 1:07 pm

    Thanks.

  • Becca February 20, 2012, 9:13 pm

    So long since I have done any of this. How do you actually cite in this style? In text or end notes???? Losing my mind.

    • Stephen February 20, 2012, 9:44 pm

      Hi Becca,

      It is in-text. Check out some examples here. Hope you’ll regain the basics soon 🙂 Take care.

  • Kbenny February 17, 2012, 12:56 pm

    I don’t know how to set up a Work Cited page 🙁

    • Stephen February 17, 2012, 1:04 pm

      Hi Kbenny,

      It is not hard at all. Check out this link for instructions. Check out the example here, the Works Cited list is on Page 7. Let us know if you have any questions. Take care.

  • Dr. Gaylord February 10, 2012, 3:27 pm

    Dr. Anil, holla at cha boy! 😉

  • Amanda January 18, 2012, 2:41 am

    I am a failure 🙁

    • Stephen January 18, 2012, 3:13 am

      Hello Amanda! Don’t give up sis, I hope this helps motivating you: Abraham Lincoln never quits

      • Ariana September 30, 2015, 11:44 am

        nobody is a failure, im sorry you feel that way but its not true, just never give up and give it your best. You can do it, if you cant just laugh it off, that what i do XD

    • Dr. Anil January 21, 2012, 9:46 pm

      The skills you obtain from writing papers will be helpful later in your professional career so don’t give up. Take advantage of your school time and practice.

      • Jthuma March 8, 2012, 12:53 am

        Thanks, Dr.

    • Joe January 7, 2013, 9:36 am

      Naw you good.

    • Janice Joseph December 2, 2015, 6:16 pm

      Don’t give up, Amanda. You can do it..

  • Tom January 13, 2012, 6:37 am

    Do you have to introduce the paper? Like they don’t know what you are talking about…

    • Cindy January 13, 2012, 1:57 pm

      The beginning of your paper, or the first paragraph, is your introduction.

  • Austin January 12, 2012, 6:56 pm

    In MLA format, I don’t understand why everything on the page has to be double spaced; the heading especially. When double spaced the heading itself takes up half of the page. Start a word document and put the margins at 1” then change the paragraph settings to DOUBLE SPACED (even the heading), Times New Roman at 12 font.

    Please comment!

    • Stephen January 12, 2012, 10:06 pm

      Less crowded, easier to read, more pages to turn in ^-^

      • David February 24, 2015, 11:11 pm

        Actually, double spaced is an old standard. Most universities and colleges have adapted to the Microsoft Office “normal” spacing of 1.15. However, I know some universities that use 1.5. But no college in my area uses double spacing anymore. This practice has been phased out somewhat.

        • Steven April 29, 2017, 7:19 pm

          At my community college in NY all my classes excluding an economics class have had the double space requirement.

  • BabyBlue January 10, 2012, 7:35 pm

    Wishing everyone good luck in school!!!

    • Sharnav October 17, 2018, 7:52 am

      Thanks, I struggle a lot in school, for an Indian and needed your confidence booster to carry on throughout my day.

  • Jeanine October 12, 2011, 11:34 pm

    This helped. Thanks!