MLA Format
Complete guide to MLA paper formatting requirements and document setup
MLA Paper Format Requirements
Proper MLA formatting creates a professional presentation that enhances your academic work's credibility. Follow these essential formatting guidelines to meet MLA 9th edition standards.
Quick MLA Format ChecklistEssential
- • Font: 12-point Times New Roman
- • Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- • Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- • Header: Last name + page number (top right)
- • Heading: Name, instructor, class, date (top left)
- • Title: Centered, no bold/italics/underline
- • Paragraphs: Indent first line 0.5 inches
Document Setup
Font and Spacing
Use 12-point Times New Roman font throughout your entire document. Double-space all text, including the heading, title, body paragraphs, and Works Cited page. Do not add extra spaces between paragraphs or sections.
Margins and Page Layout
Set 1-inch margins on all four sides of the page. Use standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper size. Left-align all text except for the title, which should be centered.
Page Numbers and Header
Smith 1 ← (Last name + page number in top right corner)
Create a header with your last name followed by the page number in the top right corner of every page. The header should be 0.5 inches from the top of the page.
First Page Heading
In the top left corner of the first page, create a four-line heading with your information:
John Smith
Professor Johnson
English 101
15 October 2024
Important details:
- • Use your full name as it appears on your class roster
- • Include your instructor's title and last name
- • Write out the full course name and section number
- • Format the date as: Day Month Year (15 October 2024)
Title Formatting
Center your title on the line immediately following your heading. Your title should:
- • Be in standard 12-point Times New Roman font
- • Not be bold, italicized, or underlined
- • Not be in quotation marks (unless quoting)
- • Use title case capitalization
- • Be followed by a double space before the first paragraph
The Impact of Social Media on Modern Communication
If your title includes the title of another work, italicize book titles and put article titles in quotation marks within your title.
Paragraph Formatting
Format body paragraphs according to these MLA requirements:
Paragraph Guidelines
- • Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches (one tab)
- • Alignment: Left-align all body text
- • Spacing: Double-space throughout with no extra spaces between paragraphs
- • Length: Aim for 4-8 sentences per paragraph for readability
Long Quotations
For quotations longer than four lines, use block quotation format:
According to the research study:
The results demonstrate a significant correlation between
social media usage and changes in communication patterns.
This finding suggests that digital platforms are fundamentally
reshaping how individuals interact in academic settings. (Johnson 45)
- • Start on a new line
- • Indent 0.5 inches from the left margin
- • Double-space the quotation
- • Do not use quotation marks
- • Place citation after final punctuation
Common Formatting Mistakes
Avoid These Errors
❌ Wrong:
Using Arial or Calibri font
✅ Correct:
Using 12-point Times New Roman font
❌ Wrong:
Adding extra spaces between paragraphs
✅ Correct:
Consistent double-spacing throughout
❌ Wrong:
Bold or italicized paper title
✅ Correct:
Standard font formatting for title