Library: Citations: MLA Paper Format

MLA Handbook

MLA Handbook by The Modern Language Association of America
Call Number: MAIN LB2369 .G53 2016

A copy of this book is available at the help desk.

MLA Style FAQs

Ask the MLA
Search a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the MLA style. If you don't see the answer you're looking for, ask the MLA yourself!
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:

See the boxes below for a breakdown of how each portion should be formatted.

Sample Paper: MLA

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

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.