The MLA format is one of the most common for all types of essays, technical reports, and case studies. It is used for a variety of subjects, and educational levels. This makes it important to understand how to properly format your MLA essay. Marks can be deducted for small errors, which means you must pay attention to all of the details required. Here are the essentials for how to format your MLA essay.
Basics
First of all, if your paper will be printed, then it must be done on white paper that is high quality. The initial part of the MLA essay will be the header, and this is where essential details will be added. You will need to include your full name, instructor name, and the name of the course. There may also be the need for a separate title page, and the specific requirements will be listed on your assignment. A running head and page numbers need to be added throughout the essay, and this is easy to apply through a word processing program. You should use one inch margins for the entire essay.
Paragraphs
The paragraphs of the essay should be indented. This means that sentences start half an inch from the left margin for every new paragraph. Rather than measuring, you can simply use the ‘tab’ feature to do this. Paragraphs will be double spaced, and this will occur automatically if the formatting is already set up. The font should be Times New Roman, and the size should be 12. Images and tables must be labelled, and properly referenced.
Quotations & References
Quotations are usually used in an MLA essay, and they should be used as evidence of your points. It is important to use them sparingly, and instead save space for your own analysis. You can add a quote by putting it in quotation marks, and directly citing it. Rather than directly quoting, you can also paraphrase. All of the references used must be added to a bibliography which is kept separate at the end of the essay. Every entry must be added in alphabetical order. The author’s last name will start each entry.
Conclusion
You will now have a better understanding of how to format your MLA essay. These are the essential general guidelines, but it is always important to read your specific assignment instructions carefully. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you get the highest marks for the MLA essay.