Your name

Your instructor’s name

The course name and number (i.e. ENG10403-05)

The date in this style: 10 October 2013

Basic Guidelines for Using the MLA Format for a Research Paper

The research paper style of the Modern Language Association (MLA) is normally used by writers in the fields of language, literature and humanities.

Use one-inch margins on all four sides of the text. Always choose an easily readable serif typeface, such as Cambria, which is used here, or the more traditional Times New Roman; use 12-point size type. Double-space the entire paper. Set one-half inch tabs for the first lines of paragraphs. Leave one space after periods and other concluding punctuation marks.

The MLA research paper does not require a cover page. However, if your instructor requires one, format it according to the instructions you are given. Otherwise, insert the information for your heading as shown at the top left.

Number all pages in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. In Word 2010, go to “Insert,” and choose “Page Number.” When the options appear, choose “Top of Page” and “Plain Number 3.” Type only your last name and a space. Highlight your name and page number 1, and format them using 12-point Cambria or Times New Roman font. Word will automatically number all your pages consecutively. Close your header and start with your name in top left corner, double spacing between each line with no extra spacing (See top left of page).

Since you already have your paper set at double spacing with no extra spaces between paragraphs, you only have to hit enter before inserting the title of your paper. Center it. Do not underline, italicize or place it in quotation marks or boldface; do not type it in all capital letters. Write the title following standard capitalization rules: Capitalize the first word, the last word and all principal words, including those that follow hyphens in compound words. Do not capitalize the following parts of speech when they come in the middle of your title: articles (a, an, the), prepositions (in, on, of, as, between, against, etc.), coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, yet, but, or, so) and the word “to” in infinitives (A Time to Kill).

Carefully proofread and correct your research paper before submitting it. If you find mistakes, re-open the document in Word, make the appropriate revisions, and reprint the corrected page(s). Also, please note that the sample Works Cited page is the last page of this document. You would create your Work’s Cited page in NoodleTools and export/print to a Word document and copy and paste from the newly created document onto the last page of your paper so that the page numbering is maintained. Remember, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to visit us in the Writing Center. Our hours are posted on the Tutoring homepage as well as at the Writing Center door. We also have Writing Center hours at M-TEC.

Save and use this template as the starting point for your MLA-style paper, replacing the generic information here with your information. Be sure to give your document a different title so you can use this basic template again as needed.

Works Cited

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: MLA, 2009. Print.

Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, and Elizabeth Angeli. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Online Writing Lab, 9 May 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.

Silverman, Jay, Elaine Hughes, and Diana Roberts Wienbroer. Rules of Thumb. 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2013. Print.

Last name 1