MLA Style

How do you format the first page of your essay?

1.      Double-space everything.

2.      Begin page numbering on the first page, in the upper right-hand corner, and list your last name immediately before the number.

3.      Place your name (first and last) on the first line. It should be aligned with the left side of the page. Follow with the name and title of your professor on the next line down. Add the name and number of the class (for example, English 1212). List the due date of the paper. Then your page should now look like this:

Fabrice Bayeba

Mr. Ben Taylor

English 1234

December 2015

4.      Center your title if you are required to have one. MLA style does not mandate that your paper have a title but most instructors do. Your title should be centered in the middle of the page.

5.      All margins should equal one inch, the body text should be an easy-to-read 12 point font such as Helvetica or Times New Roman, the first line of each paragraph should be indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, the author's name and the page number should appear in the upper right-hand side of each page's header.

What is “in-text citation”?

In-text citations are for accuracy. All source information cited within the text should appear in parentheses, and it should correspond with a source on your Works Cited page. How the information appears within the parentheses depends on the source material. Use your MLA Handbook to determine the correct method of citation.

How do you format long quote?

If you find a quotation longer than four lines of text, make sure it is set off from the rest of the paper, insert a double space before beginning the long quote, and make sure every line is indented one inch from the left margin.

How do you list a book?

1.      Book by one author:

Last Name, First Name. Title of BooK. City, year

2.      Edited Book:

Last name of editor, First name, ed. Tikle

3.      Book with multiple authors:

Last name, First Name, First Name Last name, and First Name Last Name.

    Title, place: Publisher, year.

4.      Book in an Edition other than first:

Last name, First Name. Title. Number ed. Place: Publisher, year.