The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is a widely used formatting style for academic and professional writing, particularly in the fields of literature, languages, and the arts. It provides guidelines for citing sources, formatting research papers, and constructing a works cited page. In this essay, we will provide an example of an MLA formatted research paper to illustrate how the guidelines of the style can be applied.
To begin with, the MLA style requires that the font size and type be set to 12-point Times New Roman. The margins should be set to one inch on all sides, and the text should be double-spaced. The first page of the paper should contain a header that includes the author's last name and the page number.
The title of the paper should be centered, and it should be placed about one-third of the way down the page. If the title is long, it can be broken up into two lines, with the first line in bold and the second line in regular font. Below the title, the author's name should be centered and the institutional affiliation (if applicable) should be placed below the name.
The body of the paper should be organized into sections with clear, informative headings. Each section should be preceded by a heading that reflects the main focus of that section. The headings should be numbered consecutively, using Arabic numerals.
In the MLA style, in-text citations should include the author's last name and the page number of the source being cited. If the author's name is not included in the text, it should be included in the parenthetical citation, along with the page number. For example: (Smith 123). If the source has no page numbers, the citation should include the author's name and the paragraph number.
At the end of the paper, a works cited page should be included. This page should list all of the sources cited in the paper, in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Each entry should include the author's name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the medium of publication.
Here is an example of an MLA formatted research paper:
Title of Paper
Author's Name Institutional Affiliation (if applicable)
I. Introduction
The introduction of the paper should provide an overview of the main points that will be covered. It should also include a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument of the paper.
II. Background
This section should provide some context for the research being discussed in the paper. It should include a review of relevant literature and any necessary background information.
III. Methodology
This section should describe the research methods that were used in the study. It should include details about the sample size, data collection techniques, and any statistical analyses that were performed.
IV. Results
This section should present the results of the study. It should include tables, charts, and any other visual aids that help to illustrate the findings.
V. Discussion
In this section, the author should interpret the results of the study and discuss their implications. It should also address any limitations of the study and suggest directions for future research.
VI. Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the main points of the paper and restate the thesis. It should also discuss the implications of the findings and provide some recommendations for future research.
Works Cited
Author, First Name. Title of Work. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
Author, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers.