MLA Format Rebecca Castera September 2, 2008

Headings Every paper needs a heading. Without a heading, your paper is like a letter with no address! Every paper needs a heading. Without a heading, your paper is like a letter with no address! In MLA format, the student’s name, the teacher’s name, the class or course code followed by the date are placed in the upper left hand corner. In MLA format, the student’s name, the teacher’s name, the class or course code followed by the date are placed in the upper left hand corner.

Headings In the upper right hand corner, the student’s name followed by the page number of the paper is placed. In the upper right hand corner, the student’s name followed by the page number of the paper is placed. Sample Heading Sample Heading Sample Heading Sample Heading

Parenthetical Citations Parentheti-what? Parentheti-what? Citations can be a confusing part of writing a paper in MLA format but it is easier than you think! Citations can be a confusing part of writing a paper in MLA format but it is easier than you think! When using a direct quote, place the sentences in “quotes” and at the end of the sentence place the authors name along with the page number of the quote in parenthesis. When using a direct quote, place the sentences in “quotes” and at the end of the sentence place the authors name along with the page number of the quote in parenthesis.

Parenthetical Citations Important! Make sure to place the punctuation outside the parenthesis. Not at the end of the quote or inside the parenthesis. Important! Make sure to place the punctuation outside the parenthesis. Not at the end of the quote or inside the parenthesis. “She walks in beauty like the night…” (Byron 15). “She walks in beauty like the night…” (Byron 15).

Quality Control Here are a few extra tips that will help give your paper a nice healthy MLA glow! Here are a few extra tips that will help give your paper a nice healthy MLA glow! Don’t forget to indent at the beginning of every new paragraph! Don’t forget to indent at the beginning of every new paragraph! Don’t forget to resize your margins! They must be one inch on all sides. Don’t forget to resize your margins! They must be one inch on all sides. Don’t forget to double space everything! Don’t forget to double space everything! Don’t forget to add a creative title to your paper. A strong title will peak the reader’s interest. Don’t forget to add a creative title to your paper. A strong title will peak the reader’s interest.

Works Cited Page The Works Cited page comes at the end of your completed paper. The Works Cited page comes at the end of your completed paper. It contains a list of the books, articles, interviews or websites that you referenced or quoted in your paper It contains a list of the books, articles, interviews or websites that you referenced or quoted in your paper In MLA format a Works Cited page contains: In MLA format a Works Cited page contains: An alphabetized list of the texts used. An alphabetized list of the texts used. The authors name The authors name Title of text Title of text Year and/or date of the text Year and/or date of the text Publisher and publishing city Publisher and publishing city Sample Citation Sample Citation Sample Citation Sample Citation

Extra Help Check out this Sample Paper! Can you spot all the MLA errors? Check out this Sample Paper! Can you spot all the MLA errors?Sample PaperSample Paper Still a little lost? Take a look at this website for even more detailed explanations! Still a little lost? Take a look at this website for even more detailed explanations!website Congratulations! You are well on your way to writing an excellent paper! Congratulations! You are well on your way to writing an excellent paper!