MLA Format – The Basics

Very basically, the Modern Language Association (MLA) has prescribed a standard way of laying out text on the page. This format provides scholars in the Humanities with a simple, neat, and effective way of presenting information and of communicating ideas. It may, in the beginning, seem irritating to learn the format, but the reality is that most disciplines adopt a style, and conformity— at least at the college level—is required.

Styles Used by Various Disciplines Humanities Modern Language Association Manual of Style (MLA) Sciences Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) Journalism Chicago Manual of Style

Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style:

First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around.

Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around. Second, change the font to Times New Roman.

Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around. Second, change the font to Times New Roman. Third, change the font size to 12-point.

Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around. Second, change the font to Times New Roman. Third, change the font size to 12-point. Fourth, change the spacing to double.

Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around. Second, change the font to Times New Roman. Third, change the font size to 12-point. Fourth, change the spacing to double. Fifth, insert a page number in the header and type your last name in front of it.

Sample First Page in MLA Style: Brown 1 Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007 Memoir: A Night to Remember The moon was full, as I recall, casting long, blue shadows against the wall. As we wound our way through the streets, small, bright orange pumpkins clasped in our hands, I had the eerie sense that we were being followed... 1” ½”

Please note that the header, which is left justified, is set up in a very specific order: (1)Your name (2)Your professor’s name (3)Your class name and section (4)The date Note: You may not vary or approximate this order. It is what it is.

Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007

Just a word about the Professor’s name: In general, you ought to write the title out in full, i.e., Professor Spalding. If you are tempted to abbreviate and use Prof., then there are a number of MLA rules to keep in mind. It is only proper to use the term Prof. if you are including the Professor’s first name. Hence, Prof. Mark Spalding is acceptable, whereas Prof. Spalding is incorrect. This is true of most professional titles, i.e., Doctor Watson, but Dr. Jonathan Watson, etc.

Note, please, that the date is set up in a very specific way: (a)the day (b)the month (c)the year You may not vary this structure. It is not optional. It may not be abbreviated or rearranged according to your preferences. September 29, Sep 2007 Sep 29, /9/07 9/29/07 With no punctuation. These are non-standard formats and are unacceptable in an MLA paper. 29 September 2007

A Note On The Title: All MLA-style essays require a title. Note that the title is centered. It should not be in block capitals, italicized, bolded, in quotation marks, or underlined. All major words should begin with a capital letter. Every essay requires a title.

Be aware, too, that there is no other spacing in MLA Format besides double spacing. I repeat, there is no other spacing in MLA Format besides DOUBLE SPACING.

And for those of you who may be a little hard of hearing, I will reiterate for a third time: THERE IS NO OTHER SPACING IN MLA FORMAT BESIDES DOUBLE SPACING.

None No single spacing. No triple spacing. No quadruple spacing. DOUBLE SPACING ONLY

If you can master the basics of setting up your page in MLA style, you will be well on the way toward understanding the MLA system. Brown 1 Sarah Brown Professor Spalding ENG 110A 29 September 2007 Memoir: A Night to Remember The moon was full, as I recall, casting long, blue shadows against the wall. As we wound our way through the streets, small, bright orange pumpkins clasped in our hands, I had the eerie sense that we were being followed. What made me believe this, besides a cold, prickling sen- sation in my spine, and a distinct sense of unease, I may...

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style:

Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style.

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style: Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style. Humor them.

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style: Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style. Humor them. If they want a cover page, give them their cover page.

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style: Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style. Humor them. If they want a cover page, give them their cover page. If they want the title in block capitals, give them their block capitals.

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style: Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style. Humor them. If they want a cover page, give them their cover page. If they want the title in block capitals, give them their block capitals. Remember, the professor is the one who will give you your grade.

And finally, a note on professors who require variations on MLA Style: Periodically, you will run across professors who insist on minor variations from MLA Style. Humor them. If they want a cover page, give them their cover page. If they want the title in block capitals, give them their block capitals. Remember, the professor is the one who will give you your grade. That said, please observe the following rule of thumb:

When the monkey wants peanuts, give it PEANUTS!

The End PowerPoint Presentation by Mark A. Spalding, BA, MEd, MA, 2007.