1. MLA Rules

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

3. 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

4. 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).

5. 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).

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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 (1994): Print.