Below are some basic guidelines to use when formatting your research paper using MLA citation style. However, some professors may have specific preferences when using MLA. Make sure to follow your professor's specific guidelines over MLA recommendations.
Font:
The Modern Language Association (MLA) permits any font to be used for papers. However, they do recommend that the font be legible and distinct when using the regular and italics of that font.
Using font between 11 and 13 point is recommended.
Line Spacing and Margins:
Use one inch margins on all sides of the document.
Put only one space after periods.
Double space between all lines in the document.
When a quote is more than four (4) lines long, make it a block indented with a margin of one half inch from the left margin.
Headings and Title:
To create a heading for the research paper, put your name, the instructor's name, the course name and number, and date one inch from the top of the first page and flush with the left margin. Double space that information. The title of the paper goes on the next double spaced line and in the center of the page. Do not underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around the title.
Consecutively number all pages in the top right hand corner of the page, half an inch from the right margin. Enter your surname and the page number (with a space in between).
Be sure to consult with your professor regarding the formatting of your paper. MLA does not use a title page; however, if your professors requests a title page, then use a title page for your paper.
Purdue Online Writing Lab. Formatting Your Research Paper, 2021. https://style.mla.org/formatting-papers/ Accessed 29 June 2021.