The preparation of papers and manuscripts in Modern Language Association (MLA) style is covered in chapter four of the MLA Handbook, and chapter four of the MLA Style Manual. These are available in local libraries. Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style.  

These guidelines are a MUST for every essay you hand in.

Guidelines

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper,

• 12 point font 

• Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font like Times New Roman or Courier.

• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of a paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the left margin.

• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)

• Use either italics or underlining throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested.

• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, Mr. Kuratek’s name (correctly spelled), the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.

• Double space again and center the title. Don't underline your title or put it in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case, not in all capital letters.

• Use quotation marks and underlining or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text, e.g.,

  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play

  • Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"

• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.

• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.