WW1: Lesson - MLA Formatting
Modern Language Association (MLA) Formatting
Brainstorming, Outlining, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing: all of these are important steps of the writing process. One important element of this process that many students often overlook takes place during the publishing phase: formatting. Formatting is how the essay should appear on a document. In English classes, students use the Modern Language Association (MLA) format for writing and documentation. The MLA sets the standards for formatting and citing information in academic essays in the humanities. The requirements for how a paper should look may seem arbitrary, but having a single method is important for two reasons:
- A single format allows for easy communication of important information like your name, date, page number, etc.
- MLA format creates fairness and uniformity. A student cannot gain an advantage from a fancy script or cover page.
Below is an image that displays proper MLA formatting for the first page of an essay. You may wish to use this as a visual model as you complete the writing process in future written assignments.
The image shows the following formatting requirements:
- Page setup
- One inch margins on all sides
- Title page information
- Your first and last name
- Class or course name
- Teacher's name
- Date paper is due
- No cover page
- A running header on the top right corner of each page which includes:
- Last name
- Page number
- Title of the paper
- Plain font (do not use boldface or underlined text)
- Centered
- Same font and font size as the main text
- Text of paper
- 1/2 inch indent for each paragraph
- Double-spaced throughout
- Plain font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Georgia)
- 12 point font size
Practice Activity
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