1. MLA FORMAT – THE BASICS

2. 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 you cannot pass high school or college classes without it!!

3. HERE ARE THE BASICS FOR SETTING UP A DOCUMENT IN MLA STYLE:

4. Here are the basics for setting up a document in MLA Style: First, set up the margins to 1” all the way around.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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”

10. 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.

11. Johnny Knoxville Ms. Hammond 8B RLA 29 September 2013

12. 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, 2007 29 Sep 2007 Sep 29, 2007 29/9/07 9/29/07 With no punctuation. These are non-standard formats and are unacceptable in an MLA paper. 29 September 2013

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

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

17. 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. Knoxville 1 Johnny Knoxville Ms. Hammond 8B RLA 29 September 2013 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...

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