The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides guidelines for formatting academic papers,

particularly in the fields of literature, arts, and humanities. The 9th edition of the MLA

Handbook, released in 2021, introduces several updates and changes from the previous editions.

Here are some important points to consider when formatting a paper in MLA 9th edition:

1. Margins:

 Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of the page.

2. Font:

 Use a legible and standard font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) in a 12-point size.

3. Spacing:

 Double-space the entire paper, including block quotations, notes, and the Works Cited

page.

4. Indentation:

 Indent the first line of each paragraph by 1/2 inch or use the tab key.

5. Header:

 Include a header with your last name and page number in the upper-right corner of each

page.

 Your last name should precede the page number, separated by a space.

6. Title:

 Center the title on the first page of your paper.

  Use title case (capitalize major words).

 Do not italicize, bold, or underline the title.

 Avoid placing a period at the end of the title.

7. Page Numbers:

 Page numbers should be placed in the header of each page.

 The first page (the title page) is not numbered.

 Start page numbering from the second page.

8. In-Text Citations:

 Use parenthetical citations in the text for quotes, paraphrases, and summaries.

 Include the author's last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 45).

 If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in

parentheses.

In-text citations in MLA style include the author's last name and the page number(s) where the

cited information can be found. The format varies based on the number of authors. Here are

examples for single authors, two authors, and multiple authors:

 Single Author:

Example:

(Smith 45)

In Sentence:

According to Smith, the concept of sustainability is crucial (45).

  Two Authors:

Example:

(Johnson and Williams 112)

In Sentence:

Johnson and Williams argue that the impact of technology on society is significant (112).

 Three or More Authors:

For sources with three or more authors, you can use the name of the first author followed
by "et al.," which is Latin for "and others."

Example:

(Brown et al. 78)

In Sentence:

Brown et al. suggest that the findings are consistent with previous research (78).

Remember to use the correct page number(s) for the specific information you are citing.
If the source has no page numbers, use the author's name alone

9. Works Cited:

 Begin the Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your paper.

 Use the title "Works Cited" centered at the top of the page.

 Arrange citations alphabetically by the first word of each entry.

 Include hanging indents for entries with multiple lines.

 Provide URLs only if the source cannot be easily located without them.

10. Container Concept:

 Use the "container" concept for citing sources, especially for online and multimedia

sources.

Formatting the Works Cited Page:

1. Title:

 The page is titled "Works Cited" and is centered at the top of the page. The title

should be in the same font and size as the rest of the document.

2. Font and Spacing:

 Use a legible font, such as Times New Roman, in 12-point size.

 Double-space the entire page.

3. Hanging Indentation:

 Entries should have a hanging indentation. The first line of each entry is flush left,

and subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.

4. Alphabetical Order:

 Arrange entries alphabetically by the author's last name. If there is no author, use

the title (disregard articles like "A," "An," or "The" at the beginning of the title).

5. Italicization and Punctuation:

 Italicize the titles of larger works (books, films, journals).

 Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, poems, short stories).
  End each entry with a period.

Basic Entry Structure:

Books: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.

Articles: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number,

no. number, Publication Year, pages.

Websites: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website,

Publisher, Publication Date, URL.

Note: For sources with no publication date or no author, adapt the format accordingly.

Examples:

1. Book: Doe, John. The Art of Writing. Random House, 2020.

2. Journal Article: Smith, Jane. "The Impact of Climate Change." Environmental Studies,

vol. 15, no. 2, 2018, pp. 45-60.

3. Website: Author, A. "Title of Article." Name of Website, Publisher, Publication Date,

URL.

Additional Tips:

 Include only sources that you have cited in your paper.

 Do not number entries.

 If there is more than one work by the same author, order them chronologically.
  Always refer to the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for any updates or specific

details.

 For example, the title of a book is the first container, and the title of the journal or

website is the second container.

11. DOI and URL:

 Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online articles when available.

 If a DOI is not available, include the URL.

 Do not include https:// or http:// in URLs.

12. Abbreviations:

 Abbreviate the names of months longer than four letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Mar.).

13. Punctuation:

 Use punctuation consistently.

 End citations with a period, and separate elements within citations with periods.

14. Italics:

 Italicize the titles of larger works (books, journals, websites).

 Use quotation marks for shorter works (articles, poems, short stories).

These are general guidelines, and it's essential to refer to the MLA Handbook for more detailed

and specific information, especially when dealing with unusual sources or complex citation
scenarios. Always check with your instructor or institution to ensure you're following any

additional requirements they may have.

In MLA style, when you use the name of a book, article, or other longer works in the text of

your paper, you should italicize the title. Here are some examples:

For Books:

 "I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and it left a lasting impression on me."

For Articles:

 "The recent study, 'Understanding Climate Change,' provides valuable insights into the

current environmental challenges."

Remember, the title should be italicized, not bolded or placed in quotation marks. The use of

italics is a consistent style in MLA for longer works, while shorter works (like articles, poems, or

short stories) are placed in quotation marks.

1. Abstract

1.Format:

 Place the abstract on a separate page, following the title page (if there is one) and

preceding the main body of the paper.

2. Length:
  Abstracts are typically concise, ranging from 150 to 250 words, but this can vary.

Check if there are any specified length requirements.

3. Content:

 Summarize the main points of your paper, including the thesis, methods, results

(if applicable), and conclusions.

 Avoid including unnecessary details or references.

4. Language:

 Use clear and concise language.

 Focus on conveying the essential information without unnecessary jargon.

5. No Citations:

 MLA style abstracts traditionally do not include citations. If you need to reference

specific sources, check with your instructor on how to incorporate them.

Headings in MLA Style

Section Headings:

 Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) and a period for section numbers.

 Place the section number and the section title on separate lines.

 Center and capitalize the section title.

 For example:

1. Introduction

Subheadings:

2. Use lower-level headings for subsections within a larger section.

3. Use Arabic numerals and a period followed by the title.

4. Center and capitalize the subheading.

For example:

1.1 Research Methods

Parallel Structure:

Maintain a parallel structure for your headings. If you start with a full sentence, continue with

full sentences for other headings; if you use a phrase, be consistent with that structure.

In-Text Headings:

In the body of your paper, use in-text headings to help readers navigate your content. The format

is as follows:

Level 1 Heading: Centered, Bold, Title Case.

Level 2 Heading: Flush Left, Bold, Title Case

Level 3 Heading: Indented, Bold, Sentence Case, Ending with a Period.

General Tips:

1. Use consistent formatting throughout your document.

2. Avoid overusing headings; use them to enhance the structure and

organization of your paper.

3. Remember to include a Works Cited page for your sources.

4. Always check with your instructor or assignment guidelines for

any specific requirements.