The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a standardized writing style that is widely used in the humanities, particularly in the field of language and literature. The seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, published in 2009, outlines the specific guidelines for formatting papers and citing sources in the MLA style.
One key aspect of the MLA style is the use of a standard font and font size, typically Times New Roman 12 point. The entire essay should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. The first line of each paragraph should be indented by one half-inch, or 5-7 spaces.
In the MLA style, the title of your essay should be centered and in title case, with the main words capitalized. Below the title, you should include your name, your instructor's name, the course number, and the date, all on separate lines and double-spaced.
When citing sources in your essay, the MLA style requires you to use in-text citations and a works cited page at the end of your essay. In-text citations should include the author's last name and the page number(s) of the source being cited. For example: "According to Smith (23), the main cause of the Civil War was economic differences."
On the works cited page, the sources should be listed alphabetically by the author's last name. Each source should be formatted with a hanging indent, with the first line of the citation flush with the left margin and all subsequent lines indented by one half-inch. Each source should include the author's name, the title of the work, the publisher, and the date of publication, as well as any other relevant information such as the page numbers or the URL if the source is an online publication.
Overall, following the MLA 7 essay format helps to establish a consistent, professional look for your writing and makes it easier for your readers to follow your ideas and locate your sources. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your essay is well-organized and properly cited, which will help to strengthen your argument and increase the credibility of your work.
