MLA (Modern Language Association) format is the most commonly used style when writing papers and citing sources in the liberal arts and humanities. The MLA format is used for both research papers and essays. It is important to properly format your paper to ensure that it is easy to follow and looks professional.
When formatting an essay, MLA style recommends an author-page style of in-text citations. This means a direct citation should include the authors last name and the page number of the source. When the authors name is not given, the title of the work should be used instead. When in doubt, consult your professor or the MLA Style Manual.
Formatting the works cited page is also an important part of the MLA format. This page should appear at the end of your paper and include all of the sources you cited within it. All entries should be listed alphabetically by authors last name, and any sources without an author should be listed by title. Each entry should include the authors name, title of the work, publication information, and a medium of publication.
MLA also has specific formatting guidelines for headings and fonts. All headings should be centered and bolded, while body text should be left-justified and in 12-point font. Quotations of more than four lines should be indented 1 inch from the left margin, double-spaced and without quotation marks.
In addition to formatting your essay correctly, proper grammar and spelling are also important. Be sure to re-read your paper for any errors before submitting it to your professor. Following these guidelines will ensure that your paper has a professional look, is easy to navigate, and is free from errors.