The MLA Format of the Research Paper

I.          Printing

A.                 Standards

1.                  Use a high quality printer.

2.                  Choose a standard, easily readable typeface. (e.g. Times New Roman)

3.                  Use a 12-font size.

4.                  DO NOT justify the lines of your paper at the right margin.

5.                  Turn off the automatic hyphenation and hyperlinking features.

6.                  Keep at least one back-up copy on disk.

B.                 Always keep a hard copy of your paper.

II.         Paper

A.                 Use only 8 ½-by-11 inch white paper of good quality.

B.                 Print on one side of the paper.

III.       Margins

A.                 Set one inch margins at the top, bottom, and on both sides.

B.                 Indent the first word of each paragraph one-half inch from the left margin.  When using a word processing program, you may use the Tab key to indent for each paragraph.

C.                 Indent set-off quotations one inch from the left margin. The right margin should remain normal.

D.                 For an example, see the sample first page of a research paper in the Library Handbook.

IV.       Spacing

A.                 A research paper must be double-spaced throughout, including quotation, notes, outline, and the list of works cited.

B.                 See the sample pages of a research paper in the Library Handbook.

V.        Heading and Title

A.                 A research paper does not need a title page.  If your teacher requires a title page, format it according to the instructions you are given.

B.                 Beginning one inch from the top of the first page and flush with the left  margin, type on separate lines and double space between each line

1.                  Your name

2.                  Your teacher’s name

3.                  The course number

4.                  The date (Day Month Year)

C.                 Double space again and center the title.

D.                 Double space between the title and the first line of the text.

E.                  Do not underline your title or put it in quotations marks or type it in all capital letters.

F.                  If you include an outline with your paper, it should precede the paper itself.

VI.       Page numbers

A.                 Number all pages consecutively throughout the research paper in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

1.                  Type your last name before the page number.

2.                  Do not use the abbreviation p. before a page number.

3.                  Do not add a period, a hyphen, or any other mark or symbol.

B.                 Position the first line of text one inch from the top of the page.

C.                 When using a word processor, create a running head that consists of your last name followed by a space and the page number.  The word processor may automatically insert your running head on every page of your paper if you do not specify otherwise.

D.                 Number your outline pages with lowercase Roman numerals beginning with “i”.

VI.       Tables and illustrations

A.                 Place tables and illustrations as close as possible to the parts of the text to which they relate.

B.                 Label the tables and illustrations as follows.

1.                  A table is usually labeled Table, given an arabic numeral, and captioned.

2.                  Any other type of illustrative visual material – for example, a photograph, map, line drawing, graph, or chart – should be labeled Figure (abbreviated Fig.)

3.                  Musical illustrations are labeled Example (abbreviated Ex.)

4.                  Type both label and caption flush left on separate lines above the table.

5.                  Capitalize the label and caption as you would a title.  Do not use all capital letters.

6.                  Give the source of the table and any notes immediately below the table.

7.                  Designate notes to the table with lowercase letters rather than numerals.

8.                  Double space.

Selected MLA Accepted Forms of Abbreviations Used in the List of Works Cited