September 9, 2007
The MLA Writing Format
The Modern Language Association (MLA) developed the MLA style as guide for formatting, writing, and referencing research and scholarly papers. There are currently two official guides published by the MLA:
• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: Recommended for high school and undergraduate college students.
• MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing: Recommended for graduate students, scholars, and professional writers.
Formatting Your Page
General Guidelines
• Output: Typed or a printout documents on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Margins: Set margins to one-inch all around.
• Line spacing: Double-space line within paragraphs and between paragraphs.
• Font: Use Times New Roman or Courier font faces.
• Paragraphs: Indent the first line of a paragraph one half-inch using five spaces or the tab key from the left margin.
• Character spacing: Enter one space after periods and other punctuation marks.
• Page numbering: Place at upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from top margin. Format page numbers using last name followed by page number.
First Page Guidelines
• Heading: Place at upper left-hand corner. List name, instructor’s name, the course, and the date
• Title: Center the title and use title case
Common Writing Mechanics
Abbreviations
• Names of places: Spell out all names of countries, states, counties, provinces, territories, bodies of water, mountains.
• Acronyms: Define acronyms the first time they are used unless the acronym is used as a common word. For example, FBI and IRS.
• Latin abbreviations: Write out the English equivalent if it is not a commnly used form. Common forms acceptable are: et al. (et alii, and others), e.g. (exampli gratia, for example), etc. (et cetera, and so forth), i.e. (id est, that is), and N.B. (nota bene, take careful note).
Capitalization
Title or Subtitle
• Capitalize the first word and the last word.
• Capitalize all principal words.
Sentence
• Capitalize the first word.
• Capitalize the first word after a colon.
• Capitalize all proper nouns.
Emphasis
• Place a word or phrase in quotation marks if used ironically, or in a nonstandard sense.
• Place a word or phrase in italics if it is a foreign word or special term introduced for the first time.
Numbers
• One to two word numbers: Write out numbers that are one or two words: one, ten, thirty-five, one hundred.
• Compound numbers: Hyphenate compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, and compound words beginning with a number (e.g., a five-fold increase).
• Fractions: Hyphenate the written form of fractions. For example, one-half.
• Beginning a sentence: Write out numbers or a date that open a sentence, or if possible rewrite the sentence.
• Symbols and Units: Do not mix the written number with its symbol or unit. Write out both the number and its symbol or unit: 5%, or five percent.
• Mixed numbers: Do not mix numerals with written numbers when referring to the same subject. For example, “Only 5 out of the 120 marbles were green.”
Bibliography :
• MLA Style Crib Sheet http://www.docstyles.com/mlacrib.htm
• OWL Materials: MLA Formatting and Style Guide http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
• What Is MLA Style? http://www.mla.org/style