Using MLA
Using MLA
The Rundown
Generally, an MLA style paper should include the following:
• Heading on page 1
• The actual paper
• Works Cited
For the font, line spacing, and margins, follow these guidelines:
• Use a 12pt, legible font such as Times New Roman.
• Everything, including the first page header and works cited, should be double-spaced with one-inch
margins.
• Each page after the first should have your last name and the page number in the top-right corner.
Resources
https://style.mla.org/
https://owl.excelsior.edu/citation-and-documentation/mla-style/
CITING A BOOK:
Lastname, Firstname and First Last. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2016.
CITING A CHAPTER IN A BOOK WITH EDITOR(S):
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book, edited by Editor’s Name(s),
Publisher, 2016, pp. 25-30.
CITING AN ONLINE JOURNAL ARTICLE:
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Article: Subtitle of the Article.” Journal Name, vol. 15,
no. 2, 2016, pp. 123-456. Name of Database, doi:10.0000/000000000.
CITING A NEWS ARTICLE ONLINE:
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of the Article.” Site Name, 31 Dec. 2016, www.website.com.
CITING A WEBSITE WITH NO AUTHOR:
“Title of the Page.” Site Name, www.fullwebsitegoeshere.com. Accessed 31 Dec. 2016.
Formatting
Setting up PAGE NUMBERS and the FIRST PAGE HEADER:
Insert → Page number → Place page numbers at the top right of the page
Type your last name before the page number so it shows up on every page.
To format your first page header, select the Header option “Different First Page” and put the page number 1
on the top right.
In the top left of your first page, type the following, double spaced:
• Your first and last name
• Your instructor’s name
• The course number and name
• The assignment’s due date
Follow this with the title of your paper, centered and not in bold. Follow this with your paper.