9 Ways to Write in MLA Format

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

The MLA writing format is a writing style that is very often used in academic and professional writing. Here are some writing rules that you should keep in mind when writing in MLA format.

Step

Method 1 of 8: Cover Page

Step 1. Don't create a cover page unless you are asked to

According to the standard MLA format, a cover page, or separate title page, is not part of the article and should not generally be used.

This rule makes lecturers sometimes ask their students to make cover pages for MLA-style writing, especially for long writings. There are rules that dictate what information should be on the cover page in such circumstances

Step 2. Center the title

Your title should be centered and one-third the size of the paper from the top.

Use informative and creative titles.
Use colons to separate headings and sub-headings. The subtitle is written on the same line as the title.
Capitalize the first letter of each word, except for conjunctions. Don't capitalize words like "and", "at", "by", and the like.

Step 3. Type your full name

Put your name in the center of the paper and don't forget to add "by" before your name.

Type “by”, press “Enter”, and type your name on the next line.
Type your name starting with your first name and ending with your last name.

Step 4. End with the name of the class, the name of the lecturer and the date of collection

Type in your class and related information.
Type the teacher's name on the next line.
Type the date of submission of articles on the last line in month, date, and year format.

Method 2 of 8: Common MLA Format

Step 1. Set the page margins at 1 inch (2 1/2 cm)

This number applies to the top, bottom, left, and right margins.

In most word processing programs, you can change the margins by going to the “Page Layout” settings under the “File” menu. Click " Margins " and set the margin according to the MLA format

Step 2. Set the distance to Double-space

Starting from the first page, your posts should be double-spaced. Even so, you don't need to add spacing between paragraphs.

In most word processing programs, you can change the spacing via the “Page Layout” setting on the “File” menu. Look for “Line Spacing” and select “2.0”

Step 3. Use font size 12

The preferred font type for writing in MLA format is Times New Roman with a size of 12.

If you want to use a font other than Times New Roman, choose a font that is simple, easy to read, and not too big

Step 4. Create a running header

The running header will appear on every page in the same place. Use this feature to include your last name and page number at the top right of the page.

Open “Header and Footer” in the “View” menu of your word processor. Type your last name and press the number button in the settings box to enter page numbers automatically

Method 3 of 8: Compiling the First Page

Step 1. Type the page header at the top left

If you don't use a cover page, the header of the page will contain the same information as the cover page. Type in your name, lecturer name, subject name, and date of submission.

Type your name starting with your first name and ending with your last name.
Type your title and lecturer's name on the next line.
Type the class and subject number on the next line.
Type the date of submission of articles on the last line in month, date, and year format.

Step 2. Type a title in the center of the page

Type this section one line below the date.

Don't make your title bigger, italic, underlined, or bold.
Use informative and creative titles.
Use colons to separate headings and sub-headings. The subtitle is written on the same line as the title.
Except for conjunctions, capitalize the first letter of each word. Don't capitalize words like "and", "at", "by", and the like.

Step 3. Start writing your body of writing

Use the left-align setting one line after the title before starting to write.

Method 4 of 8: Body of Writing

Step 1. Make the beginning of each paragraph indent by 1/2 inch (1.25 cm)

Use the “Tab” key to make the beginning of the paragraph indent.
You don't need to increase the spacing between paragraphs, just make the beginning of each paragraph indent.

Step 2. Separate the sections of your writing by using section headings in appropriate places

When working on a long piece of writing, your professor may ask you to separate your writing into sections.

Headings in MLA style writing are recommended to be numbered with Arabic numbers and periods. Add a single space before you write the heading.
Use capital letters to write the first letter of each word.
Headings are generally written in the middle of the page and have separate lines.

Step 3. Number each table and figure that you insert in your writing

Place the image in the center of the page and add the number, label, and source information.

Use “Image, 1” “Image 2,” and so on for images and photos. Use “Table 1,” “Table 2,” and so on for tables and graphs.
Name the image with a short description such as “cartoon” or “statistics table”.
Include the name of the image provider, source, date of publication, and page number.
All of this information should be listed on the same line below the image.

Method 5 of 8: Citing Other People's Writings

Step 1. Use parentheses to indicate the owner of the quote you are using

You must cite the owner of the material you are using, including direct, indirect, or summary quotes in your writing in parentheses after the citation.

If available, include the author's last name and the page number of the citation you used.
If the citation you're using is online and doesn't have a page number, simply include the author's name.
If you can't find the author's name, include a brief summary of the title of the citation source you used.
If you have already mentioned the author's name in the sentence you are quoting, you do not need to include his name again in parentheses.

Step 2. Arrange the "in-sentence" quotes

In most cases, quotes are inserted "within the sentence", which means you don't need to use a special format and they can be treated as part of the sentence.

Make the sentence you quote part of the sentence you type. Never write a “hanging quote,” that is, a quote that is written directly without giving a reason for quoting.
After the final quotation marks, include the source in parentheses, and use a comma or period after it.

Step 3. Arrange the quotations in block form

Quotations that exceed three lines in length must be separated from the text and written in blocks.

Press “Enter” to create a new line before you write the quote.
Each line of the quote must be indented by 1 inch (2.5 cm).
You don't need to use quotes to start or end a quote, just put the source in parentheses.

Method 6 of 8: Endnote Page

Step 1. Type the title “Notes” in the middle of the page

Do not italicize, bold, or underline the head of this page.

If you insert notes in your writing, they must be included in an endnote separate from the main body of the article. Don't include notes as footnotes at the bottom of the page

Step 2. Number your endnotes

This process can be done automatically if you use the endnote feature in your word processor.

If you do this manually, make sure each endnote is numbered with an Arabic number that corresponds to the note number you include in the body of the text.
The first line of each note should be made 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) inward.

Step 3. You are only allowed to include brief and important information in the notes

Endnotes serve to explain information that does not quite fit described in the paragraph in which it is located.

Endnotes should not exceed three or four lines in length. Endnotes should not be too long or used to propose new opinions

Method 7 of 8: Attaching Attachments

Step 1. Type “Attachment” as the header in the middle of the page

Do not tilt, bold, or underline the head.

If you include more than one appendix, title each attachment as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on

Step 2. Include any additional relevant information

Information that is not an important or major part of your writing but has a relationship is included in this section.

Attachments are used to convey additional information without becoming part of your writing argument

Method 8 of 8: Reference Page

Step 1. Type “Reference” as the header in the middle of the page