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MLA 9 Resource Center: Formatting

MLA Formatting

Formatting Guidelines

  • Font: MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif).
  • Spacing: In general, your entire document should be double spaced.
  • Margins: Margins should be set uniformly at 1 inch on all sides.
  • End of a Sentence: There only needs to be ONE space after a "period."
  • Page Numbers: Page numbers should be in the header of your document, flush right.

Heading and Title

An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:

Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).

Your Name

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Date

Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title. ExampleThe Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange

Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.

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