MLA Rules

Heading LOCATED IN TOP LEFTHAND CORNER Student Name Teacher Name Name of Course Date Title of Essay

General Rules Double-space the entire document, including block quotes and the Works Cited page Use Times New Roman or similar font 12 point 1” margins all around Italicize titles of novels

In-text citations: Primary Sources When discussing a single author and one title, use the last name of the author: Nick found “something gorgeous” about Gatsby (Fitzgerald 23). When discussing a single author and more than one title, use the title of the novel: Nick found “something gorgeous” about Gatsby (Great Gatsby 23).

In text citations: Literary Critics Introduce the critic, and use the last name and page number in the parenthetical citation. Literary critic Annabelle Gomez agrees, noting that “Tan’s characters bridge a gap between Chinese traditions and American ambitions” (Gomez 3).

Block Quotes Use for text that runs MORE THAN 4 LINES Double space it! Indent the entire quote TEN SPACES Use a colon to set it off No quotation marks Add the parenthetical citation AFTER the period

Example Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

WORKS CITED PAGE “Works Cited” is centered, without quotation marks, italics, or underlining Include all quoted, paraphrased, or summarized sources in ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY LAST NAME Indent the second and all subsequent lines five spaces (“hanging indent”) Double-space all lines

Sample Entry Article in Scholarly Journal Format Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Volume. Iss (Year): pages. Medium of publication. Example: Duvall, John N. “The (Super)Marketplace of Images: Television as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's White Noise.” Arizona Quarterly 50.3 (1994): 127- 53. Print.