Learning Objectives
- Identify the major components of a research paper written using MLA style.
- Apply general Modern Language Association (MLA) style and formatting conventions in a research paper.
We have addressed American Psychological Association (APA) style, as well as the importance of giving credit where credit is due, so now let’s turn our attention to the formatting and citation style of the Modern Language Association, known as MLA style.
MLA style is often used in the liberal arts and humanities. Like APA style, it provides a uniform framework for consistency across a document in several areas. MLA style provides a format for the manuscript 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. MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity. As a student writer, it is to your advantage to be familiar with both major styles, and this section will outline the main points of MLA as well as offer specific examples of commonly used references. Remember that your writing represents you in your absence. The correct use of a citation style demonstrates your attention to detail and ability to produce a scholarly work in an acceptable style, and it can help prevent the appearance or accusations of plagiarism.
If you are taking an English, art history, or music appreciation class, chances are that you will be asked to write an essay in MLA format. One common question goes something like “What’s the difference?” referring to APA and MLA style, and it deserves our consideration. The liberal arts and humanities often reflect works of creativity that come from individual and group effort, but they may adapt, change, or build on previous creative works. The inspiration to create something new, from a song to a music video, may contain elements of previous works. Drawing on your fellow artists and authors is part of the creative process, and so is giving credit where credit is due.
A reader interested in your subject wants not only to read what you wrote but also to be aware of the works that you used to create it. Readers want to examine your sources to see if you know your subject, to see if you missed anything, or if you offer anything new and interesting. Your new or up-to-date sources may offer the reader additional insight on the subject being considered. It also demonstrates that you, as the author, are up-to-date on what is happening in the field or on the subject. Giving credit where it is due enhances your credibility, and the MLA style offers a clear format to use.
Uncredited work that is incorporated into your own writing is considered plagiarism. In the professional world, plagiarism results in loss of credibility and often compensation, including future opportunities. In a classroom setting, plagiarism results in a range of sanctions, from loss of a grade to expulsion from a school or university. In both professional and academic settings, the penalties are severe. MLA offers artists and authors a systematic style of reference, again giving credit where credit is due, to protect MLA users from accusations of plagiarism.
MLA style uses a citation in the body of the essay that links to the works cited page at the end. The in-text citation is offset with parentheses, clearly calling attention to itself for the reader. The reference to the author or title is like a signal to the reader that information was incorporated from a separate source. It also provides the reader with information to then turn to the works cited section of your essay (at the end) where they can find the complete reference. If you follow the MLA style, and indicate your source both in your essay and in the works cited section, you will prevent the possibility of plagiarism. If you follow the MLA guidelines, pay attention to detail, and clearly indicate your sources, then this approach to formatting and citation offers a proven way to demonstrate your respect for other authors and artists.
Five Reasons to Use MLA Style
- To demonstrate your ability to present a professional, academic essay in the correct style
- To gain credibility and authenticity for your work
- To enhance the ability of the reader to locate information discussed in your essay
- To give credit where credit is due and prevent plagiarism
- To get a good grade or demonstrate excellence in your writing
Before we transition to specifics, please consider one word of caution: consistency. If you are instructed to use the MLA style and need to indicate a date, you have options. For example, you could use an international or a US style:
- International style: 18 May 1980 (day/month/year)
- US style: May 18, 1980 (month/day/year)
If you are going to the US style, be consistent in its use. You’ll find you have the option on page 83 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition. You have many options when writing in English as the language itself has several conventions, or acceptable ways of writing particular parts of speech or information. For example, on the next page our MLA Handbook addresses the question:
Which convention is preferred in MLA style:
twentieth century
Twentieth Century
20th century
20th Century
You are welcome to look in the MLA Handbook and see there is one preferred style or convention (you will also find the answer at end of this section marked by an asterisk [*]). Now you may say to yourself that you won’t write that term and it may be true, but you will come to a term or word that has more than one way it can be written. In that case, what convention is acceptable in MLA style? This is where the MLA Handbook serves as an invaluable resource. Again, your attention to detail and the professional presentation of your work are aspects of learning to write in an academic setting.
Now let’s transition from a general discussion on the advantages of MLA style to what we are required to do to write a standard academic essay. We will first examine a general “to do” list, then review a few “do not” suggestions, and finally take a tour through a sample of MLA features. Links to sample MLA papers are located at the end of this section.
General MLA List
- Use standard white paper (8.5 × 11 inches).
- Double space the essay and quotes.
- Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
- Use one-inch margins on all sides
- Indent paragraphs (five spaces or 1.5 inches).
- Include consecutive page numbers in the upper-right corner.
- Use italics to indicate a title, as in Writing for Success.
- On the first page, place your name, course, date, and instructor’s name in the upper-left corner.
- On the first page, place the title centered on the page, with no bold or italics and all words capitalized.
- On all pages, place the header, student’s name + one space + page number, 1.5 inches from the top, aligned on the right.
Tip
Depending on your field of study, you may sometimes write research papers in either APA or MLA style. Recognize that each has its advantages and preferred use in fields and disciplines. Learn to write and reference in both styles with proficiency.
Title Block Format
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your title block (not a separate title page; just a section at the top of the first page) makes an impression on the reader. If correctly formatted with each element of information in its proper place, form, and format, it says to the reader that you mean business, that you are a professional, and that you take your work seriously, so it should, in turn, be seriously considered. Your title block in MLA style contributes to your credibility. Remember that your writing represents you in your absence, and the title block is the tailored suit or outfit that represents you best. That said, sometimes a separate title page is necessary, but it is best both to know how to properly format a title block or page in MLA style and to ask your instructor if it is included as part of the assignment.
Your name
Instructor
Course number
Date
Title of Paper
Paragraphs and Indentation
Make sure you indent five spaces (from the left margin). You’ll see that the indent offsets the beginning of a new paragraph. We use paragraphs to express single ideas or topics that reinforce our central purpose or thesis statement. Paragraphs include topic sentences, supporting sentences, and conclusion or transitional sentences that link paragraphs together to support the main focus of the essay.
Tables and Illustrations
Place tables and illustrations as close as possible to the text they reinforce or complement. Here’s an example of a table in MLA.
Table 13.2
| Sales Figures by Year | Sales Amount ($) |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 100,000 |
| 2008 | 125,000 |
| 2009 | 185,000 |
| 2010 | 215,000 |
As we can see in Table 13.2, we have experienced significant growth since 2008.
This example demonstrates that the words that you write and the tables, figures, illustrations, or images that you include should be next to each other in your paper.
Parenthetical Citations
You must cite your sources as you use them. In the same way that a table or figure should be located right next to the sentence that discusses it (see the previous example), parenthetical citations, or citations enclosed in parenthesis that appear in the text, are required. You need to cite all your information. If someone else wrote it, said it, drew it, demonstrated it, or otherwise expressed it, you need to cite it. The exception to this statement is common, widespread knowledge. For example, if you search online for MLA resources, and specifically MLA sample papers, you will find many similar discussions on MLA style. MLA is a style and cannot be copyrighted because it is a style, but the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook can be copyright protected. If you reference a specific page in that handbook, you need to indicate it. If you write about a general MLA style issue that is commonly covered or addressed in multiple sources, you do not. When in doubt, reference the specific resource you used to write your essay.
Your in-text, or parenthetical, citations should do the following:
- Clearly indicate the specific sources also referenced in the works cited
- Specifically identify the location of the information that you used
- Keep the citation clear and concise, always confirming its accuracy
Works Cited Page
After the body of your paper comes the works cited page. It features the reference sources used in your essay. List the sources alphabetically by last name, or list them by title if the author is not known as is often the case of web-based articles. You will find links to examples of the works cited page in several of the sample MLA essays at the end of this section.
As a point of reference and comparison to our APA examples, let’s examine the following three citations and the order of the information needed.
| Citation Type | MLA Style | APA Style |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the website. Publication Date. Name of Organization (if applicable). Date you accessed the website. <URL>. | Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Date of publication). Title of document. Retrieved from URL |
| Online article | Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of the website. Date of publication. Organization that provides the website. Date you accessed the website. | Author’s Last name, First Initial. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue). Retrieved from URL |
| Book | Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publishing Company, Date of publication. | Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Date of publication). Title of the book. Place of Publication: Publishing Company. |
| Note: The items listed include proper punctuation and capitalization according to the style’s guidelines. | ||
Exercise 1
In Chapter 13 “APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting”, Section 13.1 “Formatting a Research Paper”, you created a sample essay in APA style. After reviewing this section and exploring the resources linked at the end of the section (including California State University–Sacramento’s clear example of a paper in MLA format), please convert your paper to MLA style using the formatting and citation guidelines. You may find it helpful to use online applications that quickly, easily, and at no cost convert your citations to MLA format.
Exercise 2
Please convert the APA-style citations to MLA style. You may find that online applications can quickly, easily, and at no cost convert your citations to MLA format. There are several websites and applications available free (or as a free trial) that will allow you to input the information and will produce a correct citation in the style of your choice. Consider these two sites:
Hint: You may need access to the Internet to find any missing information required to correctly cite in MLA style. This demonstrates an important difference between APA and MLA style—the information provided to the reader.
| Sample Student Reference List in APA Style | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brent, D. A., Poling, K. D., & Goldstein, T. R. (2010). Treating depressed and suicidal adolescents: A clinician’s guide. New York, NY: Guilford Press. |
| MLA | |
| 2 | Dewan, S. (2007, September 17). Using crayons to exorcise Katrina. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/arts/design/17ther.html |
| MLA | |
| 3 | Freud, S. (1955). Beyond the pleasure principle. In The Complete Works of Sigmund Freud. (Vol. XVII, pp. 3–66). London, England: Hogarth. |
| MLA | |
| 4 | Henley, D. (2007). Naming the enemy: An art therapy intervention for children with bipolar and comorbid disorders. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 24(3), 104–110. |
| MLA | |
| 5 | Hutson, M. (2008). Art therapy: The healing arts. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200705/art-therapy-the-healing-arts |
| MLA | |
| 6 | Isis, P. D., Bus, J., Siegel, C. A., & Ventura, Y. (2010). Empowering students through creativity: Art therapy in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 27(2), 56–61. |
| MLA | |
| 7 | Johnson, D. (1987). The role of the creative arts therapies in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological trauma. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 14, 7–13. |
| MLA | |
| 8 | Malchiodi, C. (2006). Art therapy sourcebook. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. |
| MLA | |
| 9 | Markel, R. (Producer). (2010). I’m an artist [Motion picture]. United States: Red Pepper Films. |
| MLA | |
| 10 | Kelley, S. J. (1984). The use of art therapy with sexually abused children. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health, 22(12), 12–28. |
| MLA | |
| 11 | Pifalo, T. (2008). Why art therapy? Darkness to light: Confronting child abuse with courage. Retrieved from http://www.darkness2light.org/KnowAbout/articles_art_therapy.asp |
| MLA | |
| 12 | Rubin, J. A. (2005). Child art therapy (25th ed.). New York, NY: Wiley. |
| MLA | |
| 13 | Schimek, J. (1975). A critical re-examination of Freud’s concept of unconscious mental representation. International Review of Psychoanalysis, 2, 171–187. |
| MLA | |
| 14 | Strauss, M. B. (1999). No talk therapy for children and adolescents. New York, NY: Norton. |
| MLA | |
| 15 | Thompson, T. (2008). Freedom from meltdowns: Dr. Thompson’s solutions for children with autism. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. |
| MLA |
Useful Sources of Examples of MLA Style
Arizona State University Libraries offers an excellent resource with clear examples.
Purdue Online Writing Lab includes sample pages and works cited.
California State University–Sacramento’s Online Writing Lab has an excellent visual description and example of an MLA paper.
SUNY offers an excellent, brief, side-by-side comparison of MLA and APA citations.
Cornell University Library provides comprehensive MLA information on its Citation Management website.
The University of Kansas Writing Center is an excellent resource.
(Video) How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky
* (a) is the correct answer to the question at the beginning of this section. The MLA Handbook prefers “twentieth century.”
Key Takeaways
- MLA style is often used in the liberal arts and humanities.
- MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity.
- A reader interested in your subject wants not only to read what you wrote but also to be informed of the works you used to create it.
- MLA style uses a citation in the body of the essay that refers to the works cited section at the end.
- If you follow MLA style, and indicate your source both in your essay and in the works cited section, you will prevent the possibility of plagiarism.
FAQs
What is MLA format example? ›
Author's Last name, First name. "Title of Source." Title of Container, Other Contributors, Version, Numbers, Publisher, Publication Date, Location. Title of Second Container, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location.
How do I write an essay in MLA format? ›- Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman.
- Set 1 inch page margins.
- Apply double line spacing.
- Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page.
- Center the paper's title.
- Indent every new paragraph ½ inch.
- Use title case capitalization for headings.
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. MLA style features brief parenthetical citations in the text keyed to an alphabetical list of works cited that appears at the end of the work.
Which of the rules can be applied in Modern Language Association MLA style Citation? ›MLA style uses parentheses for in-text citations to acknowledge the use of another author's words, facts, and ideas. When you refer to a source within your text, provide the author's last name and specific page number(s) – if the source is paginated.
What is MLA format in English? ›MLA (Modern Language Association) style for documentation is widely used in the humanities, especially in writing on language and literature. MLA style features brief parenthetical citations in the text and an alphabetical list of works cited that appears at the end of the document (Source: Official MLA website).
What is MLA in simple words? ›A member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to a legislative assembly. Most often, the term refers to a subnational assembly such as that of a state, province, or territory of a country.
How many paragraphs is an MLA essay? ›Introductory paragraph including your thesis statement. Three body paragraphs. Concluding paragraph.
How do you write a topic sentence in MLA format? ›- Identify the main point in your piece of writing. Think about the overall topic for your writing. ...
- Write a sentence that connects to your main idea with a what and a why. ...
- Use the sentence you created as an opening statement. ...
- Create the first sentence in each supporting paragraph.
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader's attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
Why is MLA format used? ›Why Use MLA? Using MLA Style properly makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend a text through familiar cues that refer to sources and borrowed information. Editors and instructors also encourage everyone to use the same format so there is consistency of style within a given field.
What is the current MLA style? ›
The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition, published in 2021. This quick guide to MLA style explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.
What is MLA in academic writing? ›MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
Modern Language Association is used in humanities (English, art history, philosophy, music, religion, language, linguistics, etc.). MLA style uses parenthetical to create citations in text and a "Works Cited" list at the end of a paper to link sources. ( source: EduBirdie)
The MLA Style Center
Follow the MLA format template. List the author of the letter in the “Author” slot and provide a description of the letter in the “Title of source” slot. Include the recipient's name in the description. Then list the date of the letter, if known.
- Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. ...
- Label the page Works Cited (do not italicize the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page. ...
- Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries.
- Share a shocking or amusing fact.
- Ask a question.
- Dramatize a scene.
- Kick it off with a quote.
- State your thesis directly.
- Pick the right tone for your essay.
- When you're stuck, work backwards.
There's no perfect length, however, a well-written sentence should have 15-20 words on average.
How do you write a good conclusion in MLA format? ›- Restate your topic and why it is important,
- Restate your thesis/claim,
- Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position,
- Call for action or overview future research possibilities.
Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world. The topic is "pollution in ABC Town is the worst in the world" and the controlling idea is "many reasons."
How do you write a sentence? ›Components of a Sentence
Clearly written, complete sentences require key information: a subject, a verb and a complete idea. A sentence needs to make sense on its own. Sometimes, complete sentences are also called independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that may make up a sentence.
Good paragraphs begin with a topic sentence that briefly explains what the paragraph is about. Next come a few sentences for development and support, elaborating on the topic with more detail. Paragraphs end with a conclusion sentence that summarizes the topic or presents one final piece of support to wrap up.
How do I start my introduction? ›
- Keep your first sentence short.
- Don't repeat the title.
- Keep the introduction brief.
- Use the word “you” at least once.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to articulating what the article covers.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to explaining why the article is important.
A paragraph should have at least two sentences. When a paragraph exceeds five or six sentences, think about subdividing it. Paragraphs in the body of the paper should be approximately the same length.
How do I start an essay about myself? ›- Create a List of Questions. ...
- Brainstorm and Outline. ...
- Be Vulnerable. ...
- Use Personal Examples. ...
- Write in the First Person. ...
- Don't Be Afraid to Show Off…But Stay on Topic! ...
- Show Personality. ...
- Know Your Audience.
MLA Handbook (9th ed., 2021), formerly MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (1977–2009), establishes a system for documenting sources in scholarly writing. It is published by the Modern Language Association, which is based in the United States.
What have you learned about MLA format? ›MLA Paper Formatting Basics
Make 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides. The first word in every paragraph should be indented one half inch. Indent set-off or block quotations one half inch from the left margin. Use any type of font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman.
- Start with a strong introduction.
- Establish a problem statement.
- Determine the main purpose of your research.
- Write a literature review.
- Present your testing hypothesis in detail.
- Provide a set of methods and approaches.
- Determine the limitations.
Basic Format
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Periodical Title Volume number. Issue number (Date of publication): Page number range.
Times New Roman is a good choice. Unless otherwise specified, your font size should be 12 pt. and your document should have 1 inch margins on all sides. The first line of each paragraph should be indented one half inch from the left margin (the tab key is set up to do this in MS Word).
How do you write the name of an article in MLA? ›The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style, but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals, newspapers, websites, or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published.
How do you quote a letter in an essay MLA? ›MLA: In-Text Citations
Type the author's last name followed by a closed parenthesis. Unlike most in-text citations, you do not need to give a page number for the sourced content, even if the email or letter contained multiple pages. For example: (Lincoln).
How do you quote an article in MLA? ›
The basic format is as follows: Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, Day Month Year, pages.
What is a cover page for an essay MLA? ›The title page in MLA style gives basic information such as the name, the instructor's name, the course name and number, the title of the paper, and the submission date. MLA style does not recommend using a title page unless specifically requested by your instructor; instead, it suggests creating a header.
How do you do a works cited page for an essay? ›- Author. Last name, First name.
- Title of source. Italicized If Independent; “Put in Quotations Marks if Not.”
- Title of Container, Often Italicized,
- Other contributors, Name preceded by role title (for example: edited by, translated by, etc),
- Version, ...
- Number, ...
- Publisher, ...
- Publication date,
Author's Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle of Article.” Website, Day Month Year, URL.
How do you make a MLA citation? ›- Author.
- Title of source.
- Title of container,
- Other contributors,
- Version,
- Number,
- Publisher,
- Publication date,
When you quote directly from a source, enclose the quoted section in quotation marks. Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number, like this: "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8). "Here's a direct quote" ("Trouble" 22).
How do you use MLA style referencing? ›In MLA style, writers place references to sources in the paper to briefly identify them and enable readers to find them in the Works Cited list. These parenthetical references should be kept as brief and as clear as possible. Give only the information needed to identify a source.
What is MLA Format font? ›Times New Roman is a good choice. Unless otherwise specified, your font size should be 12 pt. and your document should have 1 inch margins on all sides. The first line of each paragraph should be indented one half inch from the left margin (the tab key is set up to do this in MS Word).
How do you in-text cite a website in MLA? ›Revised on June 16, 2022. An MLA website citation includes the author's name, the title of the page (in quotation marks), the name of the website (in italics), the publication date, and the URL (without “https://”). If the author is unknown, start with the title of the page instead.
How do you do MLA format on Google Docs? ›Click on Template Gallery, make sure that General is selected, and in the Education section, find the MLA Report template. Click on that and a new Google Doc will open; the new Doc will have information already typed that you will then replace with your own text, keeping the same formatting.
How do you quote a paragraph in MLA? ›
...
To format a block quote in MLA:
- Introduce the quote with a colon and set it on a new line.
- Indent the whole quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
- Place the MLA in-text citation after the period at the end of the block quote.
The first time you use a quotation from a source in an essay, introduce the author and the work that the quotation is attributed to before you use the actual quotation in the essay. Later in the essay, you simply need to address the author's last name before using the quotation.
Why is MLA format used? ›Why Use MLA? Using MLA Style properly makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend a text through familiar cues that refer to sources and borrowed information. Editors and instructors also encourage everyone to use the same format so there is consistency of style within a given field.
What is MLA in academic writing? ›MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
Modern Language Association is used in humanities (English, art history, philosophy, music, religion, language, linguistics, etc.). MLA style uses parenthetical to create citations in text and a "Works Cited" list at the end of a paper to link sources. ( source: EduBirdie)
Line Spacing - Double space between each line. Alignment - The first line of each entry should align with the left margin. All subsequent lines should be indented 5 spaces or set a hanging indent at 1/2 inch.
What are the MLA guidelines for paragraph first line? ›Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the “Tab” key as opposed to pushing the space bar five times. 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.