MLA-Style Research Paper

our teachers expect to receive papers that are properly formatted and laid out. Use the following guidelines when setting up your paper. It is easiest if you use the correct settings from the beginning; otherwise you will have to go back and reformat your paper.

Overall page layout

One inch margins on sides, top and bottom.
Use Times or Times New Roman 12 pt font.
Double-space the text of the paper.
Use left-justified text, which will have a ragged right edge. Do not use fully (newspaper-style) justified text.
Indent the first word of each paragraph 1/2".
Indent block quotes 1".
In Works Cited lists, use a 1/2" indent for all lines after the first line of each source ("hanging indent").
Number the pages in the top right corner of the paper's header area, beginning with the first page of text. Type your last name before each page number. Number straight through from the first text page to the final bibliography page but do not count any pages after the end of the text as part of your page count.
Heading and title

An MLA-style research paper does not include a cover page, unless your teacher specifically asks for it.
In the upper left corner of the first page (but not in the header space) type the following information: your name, the teacher's name, the course title and block, the date. Use a separate double-spaced line for each piece of information (four lines).
Double space again, and center the title. Do not try to make your title decorative by using bold, underline, or creative fonts.
Double space again before beginning the text of your paper.
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