MLA Paper Format: Guidelines With Examples for Students and Researchers

Have you ever wondered why some papers look so professional and clear, while others look messy and confusing? The answer is the lack of paper formatting. 

If you are writing an academic paper, you might be following the Modern Language Association (MLA) to format your paper. 

The MLA style format helps you create a consistent, professional, and clear document that meets the high standards of this popular style. 

In this guide, we will show you how to format your paper using MLA rules. 

Margins and Font

According to the MLA handbook, you need to set your document margins to one inch from all sides. This will give your paper a neat and well-organized look. 

Next, choose a readable font like Times New Roman and set the font size to 12 points. This will ensure that your text is uniform throughout your paper.

Here is what a properly formatted paper in MLA should look like:

Header and Page Numbers

To make your pages easy to identify and arrange, you need to add an MLA header and page numbers on each page of your paper. 

Go to the upper-right-hand corner of each page, and insert a header that consists of your last name followed by a space and the page number. 

This will create a consistent header that will not distract from your content.

Title

You should center the title, use capital letters, and make sure it is informative. 

Avoid using underlining, italics, or quotation marks for your title – keep it simple and clear. Your MLA title should reflect the main idea of your paper and catch the reader’s attention.

Line Spacing

To make your paper easy to read and professional, you need to use double-spacing throughout your entire paper. This includes text, quotations, notes, and the Works Cited page. 

Double-spacing will create a visual breathing space for your readers and allow them to follow your arguments more easily.

Here is an example to help you understand better:

Paragraph Indentation

To show the structure and organization of your paper, you need to indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch from the left margin. 

This will create a visual cue that indicates a new paragraph and a new idea. Indenting your paragraphs will help your reader navigate your thought flow and understand your logic.

Take a look at this example to have a better understanding:

Section Headings

If your MLA research paper is long or complex, you may need to use headings to divide it into sections. Headings will help you organize your paper and guide your reader through your main points. 

If you use headings, follow these guidelines:

First-level Heading

It is written in the title case; centered and bolded. Use this for the main sections of your paper, such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion.

Second-level Heading

Aligned to the left margin, they are italicized. Use this for the subsections of your paper, such as Literature Review, Data Analysis, Limitations, and Implications.

Third-level Heading

Third-level headings are centered and, bolded. Use this for the sub-sub-sections of your paper, such as Research Questions, Hypotheses, Findings, and Recommendations.

Make sure you use headings consistently and appropriately for your paper.

Tables and Figures

If you use tables or figures to present data or information, you need to label them and position them correctly. 

Tables and figures will enhance your paper and support your arguments, but they should not interrupt the flow of your text. 

Follow these rules for tables and figures:

• Label each table or figure with a descriptive title. Use the word Table or Figure followed by a number and a title. 
• Position the label above tables and below figures. Align the label to the left margin and use the same font and size as the text.
• Include source information if needed. If you use data or images from other sources, you need to cite them properly. Use a note below the table or figure and indicate the source in parentheses. 
• Refer to the table or figure in your text. Use the label and number to direct your reader to the table or figure.

Quotations

If you use direct quotations from other sources, you need to format them correctly and cite them properly. 

Quotations will add credibility and authority to your paper, but they should not replace your voice or analysis. 

Follow these tips for quotations:

• Use quotation marks to indicate the exact words of another author. Do not change or omit any words from the original source.
• Maintain double-spacing and use the same font and size as the text.
• Include the author’s name and page number in parentheses after the quotation. This will allow your reader to locate the source and verify the information. For example, (Smith, 2020, p. 42).
• Use block quotations for long quotations. If the quotation is more than four lines, you need to indent it by one inch from the left margin and omit the quotation marks. Use a colon to introduce the block quotation. 

Here is an example to help you understand better:

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