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Cite Your Sources: Format a Paper in MLA

Format your Paper in MLA

MLA has rules for formatting your research paper. Your paper should have:

  • An easily readable font (most professors prefer Times New Roman)

  • 11-13 point size (most professors prefer 12 point font)

  • Double spacing

  • 1-inch margins

  • 1/2-inch indent on the first line of each paragraph in the body of your paper

  • Hanging indent on each Works Cited citation

  • Your last name and page number at the top right of each page header

  • Heading information at the top left of the first page: 

    • Your Name

    • Your Professor's Name

    • Class and section number 

    • Date

  • For more details see "Formatting Your Research Paper" on the MLA Style Center.

For help setting up your paper in MLA format, click through our Google Slides presentation with step-by-step screenshots using a desktop version of Word:

 

Sample MLA Paper

Need a visual? Take a look at our sample paper in MLA.