how to do mla format on a essay

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The MLA Style Center

What is mla style.

Building confidence in the information and ideas we share with one another is perhaps more important today than ever before, and for nearly a century it has been the driving principle behind MLA style, a set of standards for writing and documentation used by writers to find and evaluate information, alert their audience to the trustworthiness of their findings through citation, and shape the expression of their ideas in conversation with others. 

Resources for MLA Style

Our new, subscription-based digital platform, MLA Handbook Plus is

• Trusted : The only authorized subscription-based digital resource featuring the latest edition of the MLA Handbook is available for unlimited simultaneous users.
• Evolving : Get the same content as the print edition, plus seamless annual updates and forthcoming additional resources such as videos and companion titles.
• Dynamic : Features an easy-to-search interface, cross-linking of related material, and a split view that lets students see illustrations while reading corresponding content.
• Flexible : Whether on campus, at home, or in a coffee shop, students can access the platform from anywhere—perfect for remote or hybrid learning environments.
• Affordable : Tiered pricing model based on full-time undergraduate enrollments in US higher education institutions (with custom pricing options for secondary schools, consortia, international schools, campus systems, and other organizations).
• Accessible : Meets current accessibility standards—ensuring that learning MLA style is available to all.

Watch a video about  MLA Handbook Plus  or contact [email protected] for more info.

MLA Handbook , 9th Edition

The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook , published in spring 2021, builds on the MLA's unique approach to documenting sources using a template of core elements—facts common to most sources, like author, title, and publication date—that allows writers to cite any type of work, from books, e-books, and journal articles in databases to song lyrics, online images, social media posts, dissertations, and more. With this focus on source evaluation as the cornerstone of citation, MLA style promotes the skills of information and digital literacy so crucial today. The new edition offers

• New chapters on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, numbers, italics, abbreviations, and principles of inclusive language
• Guidelines on setting up research papers in MLA format with updated advice on headings, lists, and title pages for group projects
• Revised, comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for creating a list of works cited in MLA format that are easier to learn and use than ever before
• A new appendix with hundreds of example works-cited-list entries by publication format, including websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more
• Detailed examples of how to find publication information for a variety of sources
• Newly revised explanations of in-text citations, including comprehensive advice on how to cite multiple authors of a single work
• Detailed guidance on using notes in MLA style
• Instructions on quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and avoiding plagiarism
• Annotated bibliography examples
• Numbered sections throughout for quick navigation
• Advanced tips for professional writers and scholars

The MLA Style Center offers free online resources on MLA style, including an interactive MLA format template, answers to common questions on Ask the MLA, advice from the MLA editors, and more. Get updates by signing up for The Source newsletter, and follow us on X @MLAstyle .

MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Formatting Your MLA Paper

• Works Cited entries: What to Include
• Title of source
• Title of container
• Contributors
• Publication date
• Supplemental Elements
• Book with Personal Author(s)
• Book with Organization as Author
• Book with Editor(s)
• Parts of Books
• Government Publication
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Multivolume Works
• Newspaper Article
• Other Formats
• Websites, Social Media, and Email
• About In-text Citations
• In-text Examples
• How to Paraphrase and Quote
• Citing Poetry
• Formatting Your MLA Paper
• Formatting Your Works Cited List
• MLA Annotated Bibliography
• MLA 9th Edition Quick Guide
• Submit Your Paper for MLA Style Review

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).

Line Spacing & Margins

Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.

Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.

Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.

Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.

Heading and Title

An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:

Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title.  Example:  The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange

Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.

Sample Papers from MLA

There are sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.

Styling Headings and Subheadings

According to the MLA Style Center website, writers should avoid using headings in shorter papers. If you are writing a longer research paper, you may want to include headings and subheadings to help organize the sections of your paper. Advice from the MLA Style Center :

"Levels

The paper or chapter title is the first level of heading, and it must be the most prominent.

Headings should be styled in descending order of prominence. After the first level, the other headings are subheadings—that is, they are subordinate. Font styling and size are used to signal prominence. In general, a boldface, larger font indicates prominence; a smaller font, italics, and lack of bold can be used to signal subordination. For readability, don’t go overboard: avoid using all capital letters for headings (in some cases, small capitals may be acceptable):

Heading Level 1

Heading Level 2

Heading Level 3

Note that word-processing software often has built-in heading styles.

Consistency

Consistency in the styling of headings and subheadings is key to signaling to readers the structure of a research project. That is, each level 1 heading should appear in the same style and size, as should each level 2 heading, and so on. Generally, avoid numbers and letters to designate heads unless you are working in a discipline where doing so is conventional. Note that a heading labeled “1” requires a subsequent heading labeled “2,” and a heading labeled “a” requires a subsequent heading labeled “b.” 

In a project that is not professionally designed and published, headings should be flush with the left margin, to avoid confusion with block quotations. (The exception is the paper or chapter title, which is centered in MLA style.)

For readability, it is helpful to include a line space above and below a heading, as shown in this post.

No internal heading level should have only one instance. For example, if you have one level 1 heading, you need to have a second level 1 heading. (The exceptions are the paper or chapter title and the headings for notes and the list of works cited.) You should also generally have text under each heading.

Capitalization

Capitalize headings like the titles of works, as explained in section 1.2 of the MLA Handbook.

The shorter, the better."

Modern Language Association. "How Do I Style Headings and Subheadings in a Research Paper?" MLA Style Center., 13 December 2018,  style.mla.org/styling-headings-and-subheadings .

MLA Style Paper Template

• MLA 9th Edition Paper Template This template was created and saved as a Word template for Microsoft Word 2016. The process for saving and using the template is the same for the instructions given above for 2013.

You can save a personal template in Microsoft Word (IRSC students, download Office for free, see a librarian if you need help). Above is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using MLA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an MLA style paper. Microsoft Word will allow you to save personal templates. Once you have the template opened in Word

Click "Save as"

Give the file a name

Under "Save as type", select Word Template

Then when you open Word, you will be able to choose a template rather than a blank document. You might have to select Personal to find your template.

Sample MLA Paper

How to Use the MLA Style Template

Formatting Group Project Papers

For a research paper written collaboratively by several students, such as for a group project, create a title page instead of listing all authors in the header on page 1 of the essay. On the title page, list each student's full name, placing one name on each double-spaced line. After the final student name, enter the professor's name. After the professor's name, give the course name. The last line of the heading will be the date in 5 August 2021 format. Press Enter a few times to move down the page then give the paper title, centered.

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• Last Updated: Sep 20, 2024 4:17 PM
• URL: https://irsc.libguides.com/mla

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / How to Cite an Essay in MLA

How to Cite an Essay in MLA

The guidelines for citing an essay in MLA format are similar to those for citing a chapter in a book. Include the author of the essay, the title of the essay, the name of the collection if the essay belongs to one, the editor of the collection or other contributors, the publication information, and the page number(s).

Citing an Essay

Mla essay citation structure.

Last, First M. “Essay Title.” Collection Title, edited by First M. Last, Publisher, year published, page numbers. Website Title , URL (if applicable).

MLA Essay Citation Example

Gupta, Sanjay. “Balancing and Checking.” Essays on Modern Democracy, edited by Bob Towsky, Brook Stone Publishers, 1996, pp. 36-48. Essay Database, www . databaseforessays.org/modern/modern-democracy.

MLA Essay In-text Citation Structure

(Last Name Page #)

MLA Essay In-text Citation Example

Click here to cite an essay via an EasyBib citation form.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Sample Paper
• Works Cited
• MLA 8 Updates
• MLA 9 Updates
• View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Website (no author)
• View all MLA Examples

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To cite your sources in an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author’s name(s), chapter title, book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for in-text citations and a works-cited-list entry for essay sources and some examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author on the first occurrence. For subsequent citations, use only the surname(s). In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author(s).

Citation in prose:

First mention: Annette Wheeler Cafarelli

Subsequent occurrences: Wheeler Cafarelli

Parenthetical:

….(Wheeler Cafarelli).

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the chapter is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Cafarelli, Annette Wheeler. “Rousseau and British Romanticism: Women and British Romanticism.” Cultural Interactions in the Romantic Age: Critical Essays in Comparative Literature , edited by Gregory Maertz. State U of New York P, 1998, pp. 125–56.

To cite an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author(s), the essay title, the book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for citations in prose, parenthetical citations, and works-cited-list entries for an essay by multiple authors, and some examples, are given below:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author (e.g., Mary Strine).

For sources with two authors, use both full author names in prose (e.g., Mary Strine and Beth Radick).

For sources with three or more authors, use the first name and surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Mary Strine and others). In subsequent citations, use only the surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Strine and others).

In parenthetical citations, use only the author’s surname. For sources with two authors, use two surnames (e.g., Strine and Radick). For sources with three or more author names, use the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”

First mention: Mary Strine…

Subsequent mention: Strine…

First mention: Mary Strine and Beth Radick…

Subsequent mention: Strine and Radick…

First mention: Mary Strine and colleagues …. or Mary Strine and others

Subsequent occurrences: Strine and colleagues …. or Strine and others

…. (Strine).

….(Strine and Radick).

….(Strine et al.).

The title of the essay is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name, et al. “Title of the Essay.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Strine, Mary M., et al. “Research in Interpretation and Performance Studies: Trends, Issues, Priorities.” Speech Communication: Essays to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Speech Communication Association , edited by Gerald M. Phillips and Julia T. Wood, Southern Illinois UP, 1990, pp. 181–204.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > Writing an Essay in MLA Format

Writing an Essay in MLA Format

Knowing how to write a Modern Language Association—or MLA—essay is an essential part of making it through school these days. Be warned, however, that daunting little tasks await around every corner—whether it’s knowing where to set your margins, how to edit a header, the right way to format a heading, and beyond!

While we can’t write your paper for you, this guide can certainly help you understand the proper MLA format for your essay. Keep reading to learn about writing an MLA-format paper with some tips for making sure it’s done right the first time.

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What is an MLA-format essay? It’s not uncommon for associations and organizations to follow a standard format and writing style. The Associated Press (AP) and University of Chicago styles are most common in professional settings. News outlets typically prefer the AP style, while businesses and creative agencies will choose the Chicago style. Academia, on the other hand, traditionally follows APA and MLA styles. APA (not the same as AP style) comes from the American Psychological Association and is used in scholarly articles. An MLA-format essay fits the established style for citing references and formatting essays established by the Modern Language Association.

Required elements of an MLA-format paper. MLA is the preferred style when writing an essay in high school and most college settings. As with other writing styles, there are specific characteristics and items an MLA-format paper needs to include to fit the bill of the style. Every MLA-format essay must include the following:

• One-inch margins
• Double-spaced text
• Easy-to-read font (typically Times New Roman) in size 12
• New paragraphs indented 0.5 inches
• Italicized media titles (books, magazines, etc.), no underlining
• Page numbers in the header 0.5 inches from the top of the page
• Oxford comma
• Center-justified title
• Headings and subheadings
• Clearly labeled and titled tables and figures
• Parenthetical citations

In addition to the listed elements above, every MLA essay must include a Works Cited. MLA format doesn’t require a title page, but it also doesn’t deem them unnecessary, so it’s up to your professor whether you’ll need one or not. One way to take the edge off the process of writing this type of essay is to use a free template or a handy built-in tool that helps you build bibliographies and more.

Tips for meeting MLA formatting guidelines. It’s said that the devil is in the details, and it’s never truer than when it comes to MLA-format essays. The following tips are areas to pay attention to when writing your essay:

• Set your margins. Your software might be set to one-inch margins, double-spaced text, and 0.5-inch indentations by default—but you can save yourself the trouble (and a headache) later in the writing process by adjusting them before you get started. Of course, one of the best parts about using a computer to write your essay is that you can always make adjustments later.
• Straighten out your headings . One area students might miss with MLA formatting is with the title, headings, and subheadings. It’s normal to want to use bold or italicized typeface on your titles and headings to make them stand out from the rest of the text. MLA style specifically calls for them to match the rest of the text without any alterations aside from title case. A centered or left-justified heading will stand out enough from the rest of your text that it needn’t any additional adjustments.
• Understand subheadings. While primary headings aren’t to receive any special formatting, subheadings will be changed to set them apart from their headings. For example, if your heading is about mammals, you might have subheadings about land and water mammals. You can further organize your water mammals subheading into types of whales and dolphins. Using subheadings helps to organize your writing and makes it easier to consume as a reader.
• Know how to cite your work. The information you’re presenting in your essay didn’t mysteriously appear from out of the ether. You need to give credit where it’s due when writing an MLA-format paper, so you’re giving credit to the original author of your sources. You can also improve your writing credibility and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is one of the biggest academic offenses a student can commit and could lead to expulsion in some cases. Properly citing your work with parenthetical citations and quoting authors when necessary will help to keep you covered.

When it comes down to it, practice makes perfect. The more essays you write, the better you’ll become at writing and meeting the expectations of MLA style. Before you know it, MLA format will be second nature, and everything will fall into place.

Still having a hard time visualizing what an MLA essay looks like? Check out a sample paper so you can see first-hand how they’re formatted!

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MLA Style Essay Made Easy: Walkthrough of MLA Formatting

Table of contents

• 1 Understanding MLA Format
• 2.1 Margins & Font
• 2.2 Title Page Requirements
• 2.3 Page Numbering & Headers
• 2.4 Proper Spacing & Indentation
• 3.1 General Guidelines for MLA Citations
• 3.2 The Author Page Citation Format Rule
• 3.3 Standard Citation Format For Print Sources
• 3.4 Citing a Work by Multiple Authors in MLA
• 3.5 MLA Guidelines for Print Sources With Unknown Authors
• 3.6 Citing Works With the Same Last Names
• 3.7 Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in MLA
• 3.8 Citing Multivolume Works in MLA
• 3.9 Citing the Bible
• 3.10 Citing Indirect Sources
• 3.11 Citing Electronic Sources
• 4.1 Proper MLA Formatting of Quotations
• 4.2 Brief Quotations
• 4.3 Long Quotations
• 4.4 Adding or Omitting Words in Quotes
• 5.1 Works Cited Entries in MLA 9th Edition Style
• 5.2 Books and e-Books
• 5.3 Journal Articles
• 5.4 Websites & Online Sources
• 5.5 Films & Multimedia
• 5.6 Interviews & Personal Communication
• 6 Bibliographic & Content Notes
• 7.1 Specific MLA Abbreviations
• 8 Formatting Numbers in MLA
• 9 Lists in MLA
• 10 MLA Formatting Takeaway

The MLA format is the most common type of formatting used for academic papers. Every student in the US should become familiar with this format for the research papers and essays they submit. It should be referred to when citing sources and formatting papers in literature, language, and the arts. This format is crucial for understanding the guidelines of citation. It can also help students present their work in an organized and straightforward manner. Throughout this formatting guide, we’ll explore the key areas of how to write in MLA format effectively.

Understanding MLA Format

Every new high school student asks, “ What is MLA format? “. The Modern Language Association format provides guidelines for formatting styles and citations that students can use for academic writing. It’s mainly used for subjects in humanities and liberal arts. Students must use this type of formatting when writing research papers for languages, literacy studies, visual arts, media studies, and similar courses. Scientific research doesn’t require students to write a paper in MLA format.

The MLA format for papers has been introduced previously. A group of teachers and like-minded students founded the Modern Language Association in 1883. This group’s mission was to promote the studies of language and literature. They developed the original MLA formatting guide to provide a basic outline of how to cover research papers. These MLA paper formatting guidelines were used to help students create organized research papers.

Of course, things have changed a lot since 1883. The MLA Handbook has kept up with the times. It has undergone several revisions and updates throughout the years. The most recent update was in 2021, when the 9th edition of the handbook was released. The MLA 9 essay format edition included valuable information for the modern student, such as citing digital sources. Now, students can also access digital tools for formatting, like the MLA citation generator  and other online resources.

Throughout the years, there has been consistency with the MLA Handbook. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for students who must  properly format your papers  in MLA format and credit sources. Using this format helps students ensure that the presentation of their work is accurate and consistent.

Basic MLA Formatting Guidelines

There are specific criteria every MLA format essay must include. This section will cover some essential MLA formatting rules that every student should become familiar with. These rules are set so that every MLA paper has a consistent layout. They ensure good readability and organization.

Margins & Font

A student should never submit a research paper covered in a font from the top corner to the bottom. Every paper must have a 1-inch margin. The margins for MLA writing format should be on every side of the paper ( one inch from the top, bottom, left, and right ).

Always follow your professor’s instructions for font style and size. If no instructions are stated, the general MLA format font size rule is to use Times New Roman 12-point. You may use a different professional-looking font if your professor has approved it.

Title Page Requirements

The correct MLA format doesn’t require students to craft a title page. Instead of a separate page, students should present the following information in the top left corner of the first page before the first MLA header:

• Student’s name
• Professor’s name
• Course name

This information should always be stated above the paper’s title when writing in MLA format. The title must be entered on the following line. Always ensure the essay title is centered, uses title case-sized font, and double-spacing.

Page Numbering & Headers

The MLA formatting instructions also require students to use the ‘running head’ rule to number their pages. Each separate page of the essay in MLA format will be numbered. The page number will appear in the upper right-hand corner, with the student’s last name in front of it. The first page of the MLA paper should look similar to this:

Campbell- 1

Proper Spacing & Indentation

The MLA format paper should always be double-spaced. The double space leaves room for the professor to add notes. Students also need to use a 1/2-inch indent from the left margin for the first sentence of every paragraph.

In-Text Citations

With every research paper, students must cite their sources using in-text citations. This is how credit can be given to the original author. It’s also a good indicator of where the facts and research came from. The MLA format requirements state that students must use specific guidelines for citing sources.

General Guidelines for MLA Citations

A general citation can be used for print or digital. It will include the author’s last name and page numbers that contain the information. You will only need to reference the page number if you mention the author’s name in the sentence with your citing information.

The Author Page Citation Format Rule

The author page citation format is a simplified version of a general MLA citation. For this one, students only need to state the author’s last name and the page number where the information can be found. The author page citation will look like this:

Standard Citation Format For Print Sources

The MLA formatted paper guidelines are for citing sources from a book or print media. The in-text citation should include the author’s name and the page number with the information. It should also include the book title, edition (if specified), publisher, and year of publication. Here is an example of a standard citation for print.

Last Name, First Name, Book Title, Publisher, Year, Page (or page range)

Citing a Work by Multiple Authors in MLA

Sometimes, a student needs to cite sources that more than one author wrote. How you cite the source will depend on how many authors are included in the work. You can have both names and the page number if there are only two authors. Here is an example:

Barnes and Roth, 37

It’s essential to avoid using too many commas when citing sources. If three or more authors write the work being cited, you will only include some of their names. Instead, you will mention the first author’s last name followed by “et al”. It should look like this:

Barnes et al, 37

MLA Guidelines for Print Sources With Unknown Authors

There may be occasions where a student needs to cite sources that have unknown authors. For these situations, put the title of the work being referenced and the page number. The citation should look like this:

Title Work, 37

Citing Works With the Same Last Names

The MLA format has a very specific rule for citing text written by multiple authors with the same last name. With this type of work, mention the title and the edition number (if applicable) after the last name. Don’t forget to mention the page number as well. Here is an example of what it should look like:

Barnes, Title Work, 3rd ed., 37

Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author in MLA

Occasionally, students may need to reference multiple works from the same author. Each piece of work should have its citation. However, students can group them by using the word ‘and’. Here is an example:

(Barnes, Title Work 37) and (Barnes, Text Example 58)

Citing Multivolume Works in MLA

If an author has several volumes of a title piece, you must include the volume number in your citation. This is very easy to do. All that is required is to put the volume number between the author’s name and the page number. It should look like this:

Barnes vol 3 37

Citing the Bible

Citing a passage from the bible is slightly different than other pieces of work. In this citation, the student won’t give credit to an author. Instead, they will mention the verse, chapter, and page. For example:

Matthew 5:3-10

Citing Indirect Sources

According to the MLA Handbook, students should always use material from the source. But, sometimes, this isn’t possible. An indirect quote or indirect source is when you receive the information secondhand. For this type of citation, students should always use “qtd. in” along with the source they read. It should look similar to this:

qtd. in Roth 59

Citing Electronic Sources

When researching papers online, students must provide relevant information about the URL they used. An electronic source citing MLA format should include the following information:

• Author’s name
• Article title
• Website’s name
• Date of access

Here is an example of how to make a webpage citation when citing online sources for essays:

Barnes, Title Work, Webpage Name, 20 October 2023, www.examplesite.com/example123

Quoting and Paraphrasing

Quoting and paraphrasing are common in academic writing. Proper quoting citations with the MLA format is imperative because it helps students avoid plagiarism. If a student needs to reference another person’s idea, they should always use quotes, check  PapersOwl  if you have any doubts. Quotes can help students incorporate the outside information into their work. The MLA Handbook has specific guidelines for using quotes in academic papers.

Proper MLA Formatting of Quotations

Everyone must follow proper formatting rules to avoid plagiarism when writing a paper in MLA format. Luckily, these rules aren’t complicated. The quote should always have a parenthesis at the end that includes the author’s last name and the page number. Another way that’s acceptable to format a quote is if the author’s name and page number are used in the sentence before the quote. Here are two examples of quotation formatting that can be used:

• “This is an example quote.” (Barnes, 37)
• According to Barnes on page 37, this is how you use quotation marks. “Example quote placed here.”

Brief Quotations

A brief quote usually consists of less than three lines of text. The best way to format these quotes is to integrate the author’s name in the sentence leading up to the quote, followed by the exact quote in quotation marks. It should look similar to this sample MLA format:

According to Barnes, “There are many different quotes that can be acceptable to use in academic writing. Students should always use quotes to avoid plagiarism.”

Long Quotations

A long quote will contain three or more lines of text. The formatting for these quotes is different from a brief quote. Students will need to separate the quote from the rest of the paper. After a sentence leading up to the quote, it should begin on the following line (double-spaced). Always indent the quote one inch from the left margin.

Students can approach this quote with a parenthesis at the end of an introductory sentence. Always use the style that works best with the research paper being presented.

The long quotation should look similar to this:

“Every good research paper should include relevant quotes from an author or other professionals. This gives the reader more insight into the topic being discussed. It also helps the student avoid plagiarism when they want to share another person’s idea to support their research topic.”

(Barnes, 37)

Adding or Omitting Words in Quotes

Students may need to add or omit words in the quote for their MLA paper. Extra words may need to be added to a quote to help the reader better understand what the quote is referencing. When adding words to a quote, always add brackets to show that they are separate from the original statement. Here is an example of how and when to add words to a quote:

Original quote: “The new workspace should help them stay productive.”

Quote with added words: “The new workspace should help them [shop employees] stay productive.”

Omitting words could be necessary if the student needs to shorten the text for block quotations. They can keep the quote brief and to the point by omitting words. In this situation, nothing is done to show words have been removed. Quotes should be as original as possible. Only remove words if they add no value to the text. Here is an example of when it’s appropriate to remove words from a quote:

Original quote: “It’s easier to access online games using a mobile app on your smartphone.”

Quote with omitted words: “It’s easier to access games using an app on your smartphone.”

The example above shows that the quote’s message is read similarly to the omitted words. Removing the text doesn’t change the tone or message of the quote. Never omit words if the quote reads differently. For example, removing the phrase “mobile app” from the original quote above would completely change what’s being said.

MLA Works Cited Page Guidelines for Different Types of Sources

The works cited page is used as a reference list. Students will provide all the sources they used to get information for their MLA-style essay. This list aims to help readers locate the sources to verify the information. It proves the students didn’t make up any information shared in their essays.

A proper MLA format for the works cited page will include every resource used during the research process. This will include:

• Newspaper articles
• Magazine articles

Every MLA research paper should contain cited sources in a specific order. This will be further explained in the sections below.

Works Cited Entries in MLA 9th Edition Style

According to the most recent edition of the MLA format for an essay, the cited page should contain a list of sources alphabetically. All authors should be listed from A to Z. For sources with unknown authors, students can use the title to determine where it belongs.

The MLA format requires all sources listed on the cited page to be double-spaced. A hanging indent must be used for each new source added to the list.

Books and e-Books

A specific MLA citation format can be used for referencing information from books and e-books. Every book citation should include the following information in this order:

• Author’s name (last name first- i.e., Barnes, Michael)
• Publication Date
• Book Format (print or e-book)

Here are a few citation examples for books and e-books:

• Hill, Nathan. Wellness: A Novel. Bond Street Books. 2023. Print.
• Sokunbi, Bola. Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money, and Build Real Wealth. Wiley. 2019. E-Book.
• Harris, Jillian and Wesszer, Tori. Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts. Penguin Canada. 2023. Print.

Students can also simplify this process using a  b ook citation generator or other online resources.

Journal Articles

Journal works are frequently referenced in students’ papers. All of the required information must be included when a journal or magazine article is mentioned on the cited list using the MLA research paper format. Every journal article reference should contain the following parenthetical citations in order:

• Author’s last name and first initial ( i.e. Barnes, M )
• Article title: Subtitle (if applicable) in quotation marks
• Journal name
• Volume & issue
• DOI (digital object identifier) for online journals

The following examples show how journal articles should be mentioned on the cited page.

With subtitle: Jones, T. “The Importance of Citing Sources: A Beginner’s Guide To The Cited Page”. Teacher’s Journal Deluxe. Vol 12, no. 3. May, 2017. pp 30-33.

Without subtitle: Barnes, M. “How Professors Want You To Cite Sources”. Academic Journal. Vol 9, no. 11. Sept., 2020. pp 14-15.

Students can also use this format to  cite a newspaper , magazines, and other print articles.

Websites & Online Sources

Students can now access more information online to help them research their essays. Sources online are acceptable as long as the web page is cited using the MLA paper format. When finding online resources, it’s common to come across recycled information. Always use the source to make your cited page as credible as possible. The best type of online sources to use are .gov and .org websites. Using .com/.ca/.co websites is acceptable if it’s a credible source or brand (i.e., www.nationalgeographic.com or www.forbes.com).  Try to avoid citing blogs or social media posts unless you are directly quoting the person posting from the account.

According to the MLA format guidelines, the following information should be stated in order when you make web page citationa  for every research paper:

• Author’s Name (if available)
• Source Title
• Website Title

Here is an MLA format example of how an online source should be cited in the MLA footnotes.

Barnes, Michael. “How To Cite Sources”. Proper Formatting Online, 10 May 2023, www.examplesite.com/how-to-cite-sources .

Films & Multimedia

Since students should use the MLA essay format on art subjects, there may be times when they need to generate citations from Video . This is very common in media studies. When referencing film, always include the following information in order:

• Director’s name
• Production Company
• Year of release
• Format of the source used ( i.e., DVD, Blu-ray, digital )

Here are a couple of examples of how to reference a film on the cited page:

• Craven, Wes, director. Scream. Miramax. 1996. DVD.
• Gerwig, Greta, director. Barbie. Warners Bros. 2023. Google TV.

Students may also reference multimedia posted online, such as YouTube videos. The creator’s name may not be available when referencing an online video. In this situation, it’s acceptable to cite their username. The following information should be cited in order when referencing an online video.

• Creator’s name or username
• Video title (in quotation marks)
• Platform or website name
• Channel (if applicable)
• The date the video was posted

Here is an example of how to generate citations from video through online multimedia:

Warner Bros Entertainment. “Singin’ in the Rain | Good Mornin'”. YouTube. 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyMU8O2B2Vs

A similar format can be used for works cited from podcasts, radio shows, and other online video and audio media.

Interviews & Personal Communication

Certain projects will require students to conduct personal interviews. It’s still necessary to cite sources when using information from interviews. A student can also directly quote their interview subject in the research paper. There are several ways that students can interview people for research. This includes:

• Online chat

Personal interviews and communications are an efficient way to get valuable insight and real information on a topic. Citing these communications is also very easy. Mention the interviewee’s name (last name, first name) followed by the type of communication and the date of contact. Students can also add any other relevant information that could be useful to the reader ( i.e., business name, occupation, etc. ). Here is an example of how a personal interview can be cited:

Richards, Blake. Email Interview. 19 October, 2022.

Forte, Johan. Optometrist. Personal interview. 15 April 2023.

In the second example, the interviewee’s occupation was relevant to the communications. The student provides this information using the MLA format for the research paper to help the reader understand why the quote is relevant to the subject.

Bibliographic & Content Notes

An MLA paper should provide as much information as possible. Bibliographic and content notes are excellent tools. They are a great addition to academic papers because they provide more information on the sources that were used for research. The works cited page should contain basic information about the sources. However, the bibliographic and content notes allow students to provide detailed information on these sources. It’s common for the notes to contain more analyses, context, and commentaries on the topic.

Sometimes, a student wants to provide information about a source that isn’t directly related to the essay’s main topic. For example, they may have read an online article that inspired their idea for the research project. They can cite this source in the content notes and explain why it was important for their piece. They may also want to provide more context about their ideas or experiences that were useful to the research paper.

For example, a student may cite a chapter  in a book that was directly related to information stated in their paper. However, much information was shared in the book that helped craft the essay. In the bibliographic notes, students can provide more context about the content. They can also include notes that will give the reader more insight into how the source relates to the essay’s main topic.

Overall, the main goal of using bibliographic and content notes is to ensure readers thoroughly understand the information. Students can provide their thoughts and crucial information when this section is used effectively. An excellent bibliographic page can also help students establish credibility with their research.

Common MLA Abbreviations

Using abbreviations in-text citations is common because it concisely presents the information. The MLA style cited page should be easy to read. Abbreviations help save space and list the information in a presentable format.

The abbreviations most commonly used in the MLA format are ‘et al.’, ‘vol’, and ‘p’.

• “Et al.” is an abbreviation for et al Ia. This phrase is used to indicate that there were multiple authors credited to the source. Instead of naming each individual, only the first author’s name will be listed, followed by et al.
• “Vol.” is an abbreviation for volume. This is about the volume number of the book, journal, magazine, or other source used.
• “P.” is the abbreviation for page. When one page is listed, it will look like this: p. 12. If a page range is listed, then the abbreviation ‘pp’ will be used, such as pp. 12-18.

Specific MLA Abbreviations

There are MLA abbreviations that are used for specific citations. These are specialized abbreviations that should only be used for certain situations.

“Ibid” is an abbreviation for ibidem. Students may have to use this abbreviation to list multiple citations from the same source. For example, there could be various page numbers that a student needs to cite from one book. In this case, the citation should look like this:

First citation: Barnes 15

Second citation: Ibid 73

“N.d.” is another specific abbreviation. This one should only be used if a publication date is unavailable. Here is an example of how to use the n.d. abbreviation properly:

Barnes, Michael. Example Book. Example Publisher. N.d. Print.

Formatting Numbers in MLA

There are formatting rules for using numbers in research essays and in-text citations. All small numbers (one through nine) should be spelled out. Some examples include one chapter, two cups of sugar, or seven days late.

Once numbers reach the double digits, students should use the Arabic numeral format. Any number above 10 should be printed like this: 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.

The number should always be in Arabic numerals when it comes to measurements, ages, dates, and units. For example: 5 pounds, 15 minutes, 60%, 32 degrees, etc. The Arabic numeral format should also be used when there is a series of numbers, such as 4 children, 8 teenagers, 13 adults, 6 seniors.

Large numbers should be written out. This includes any number separated by commas, like fifty thousand, three million, or a billion.

Sentences that contain mixed numbers will use both numeral and print. It’s essential to remain consistent with how these sentences are worded. Here is a good example:  6 four-year-olds, 8 five-year-olds, 10 six-year-olds, and 4 seven-year-olds attended the birthday party.

Lists in MLA

Students must avoid cramming too much information in one section using the MLA format for paragraphs. MLA recommends lists as a practical way to organize information in essays. Students can use bullet lists or numbered lists. Specific guidelines should be followed to ensure the lists are being used accurately.

Bulleted lists present a list of items in no particular order on separate lines. The list states each item individually, making it easier to read. Here is an example of how a bulleted list could be used:

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup softened butter

Numbered lists are used to present items or information in consecutive order when students write a paper in MLA format. They are commonly to use for directions to be followed. Here is an example of using a numbered list:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix all wet ingredients together.
• In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together.

MLA Formatting Takeaway

The MLA style paper is used for academic papers by students in the US. This format is an excellent way to ensure every written paper has been cited correctly. Students must use parenthetical citations to avoid plagiarism when presenting research. Using the MLA formatting for research papers correctly ensures that every essay submitted is presented in a clear and understandable writing style.

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MLA Formatting Quotations

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When you directly quote the works of others in your paper, you will format quotations differently depending on their length. Below are some basic guidelines for incorporating quotations into your paper. Please note that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced .

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (four typed lines or fewer of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page number (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the in-text citation, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.

Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:

When using short (fewer than three lines of verse) quotations from poetry, mark breaks in verse with a slash, ( / ), at the end of each line of verse (a space should precede and follow the slash). If a stanza break occurs during the quotation, use a double slash ( // ).

Long quotations

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2   inch  from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come  after the closing punctuation mark . When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

For example, when citing more than four lines of prose, use the following examples :

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

When citing long sections of poetry (four lines of verse or more), keep formatting as close to the original as possible.

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (qtd. in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)

When citing two or more paragraphs, use block quotation format, even if the passage from the paragraphs is less than four lines. If you cite more than one paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph should be indented an extra 1/4 inch to denote a new paragraph:

In "American Origins of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Movement," David Russell argues,

Writing has been an issue in American secondary and higher education since papers and examinations came into wide use in the 1870s, eventually driving out formal recitation and oral examination. . . .

From its birth in the late nineteenth century, progressive education has wrestled with the conflict within industrial society between pressure to increase specialization of knowledge and of professional work (upholding disciplinary standards) and pressure to integrate more fully an ever-widening number of citizens into intellectually meaningful activity within mass society (promoting social equity). . . . (3)

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text:

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipses, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

Please note that brackets are not needed around ellipses unless they would add clarity.

When omitting words from poetry quotations, use a standard three-period ellipses; however, when omitting one or more full lines of poetry, space several periods to about the length of a complete line in the poem: