Reasons to Format

What MLA Style Provides

MLA provides a uniform framework for consistency across a document in several areas.

• MLA style provides a format for the in-text and parenthetical citations, or in-text citations. It also provides the framework for the works cited area for references at the end of the essay. More information about citations will be presented in a later lesson.

• MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity. As a student writer, it is to your advantage to be familiar with not only the formatting rules, but the wording guidelines as well.

If you find that the rules of proper formatting difficult to keep straight, you are not alone. Writing a good paper is, in and of itself, a major intellectual challenge. Having to then follow detailed guidelines as well may seem like just one more task to add to an already-too-long list of requirements.

Reasons for You to Use MLA Style

Below are several reasons that you, the student, should use MLA style when requested:

1. It helps the instructor easily see that you have followed some of the major requirements of the essay, therefore increasing your grade.

2. It signals to your readers that your paper should be taken seriously as a student’s contribution to a given academic or professional field; it is the literary equivalent of wearing a tailored suit to a job interview.

3. It demonstrates your ability to present a professional, academic essay in the correct style.

4. It gains you credibility and authenticity for your work.

5. It enhances the ability of the reader to locate information discussed in your essay.

6. It gives credit where credit is due and prevents plagiarism.

7. It demonstrate excellence in your writing.