How To Write In Mla Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is the most common format for citing sources in academic writing. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

General Format

MLA style calls for a list of works cited (bibliography) at the end of your paper. The list should include all of the sources you used to write your paper, in alphabetical order by author’s last name.

In-Text Citations

MLA style uses in-text citations to document the sources you use in your paper. Whenever you quote or paraphrase a source, you must include a citation.

For direct quotations, include the page number in parentheses after the quote.

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” (Smith, Advice for Living)

If you are paraphrasing a source, include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses.

According to Smith, “the most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy.” ( Advice for Living)

Endnotes and Footnotes

MLA style does not require endnotes or footnotes, but you may choose to use them if you want to provide more information about your sources.

If you choose to use endnotes or footnotes, they should be listed at the end of your paper, after the Works Cited page.

Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page should list all of the sources you used to write your paper.

Include the author’s last name, the title of the source, the publication information, and the page numbers.

You should also include a URL for online sources, if available.

This is an example of a Works Cited page in MLA style:

Works Cited

Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. New York: Ballantine Books, 1999.

Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.

Gaiman, Neil. “The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains.” Coraline. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.

Smith, Advice for Living. New York: Hyperion, 1994.

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Understanding MLA Style

One of the most common styles for writing academic papers is MLA Style. Understanding how to write in MLA style can help you improve your academic writing. This guide will help you understand the basics of MLA Style, including how to format your paper and how to cite your sources.

When formatting your paper, you should use a 12-point font and double-space your text. You should also indent the first line of each paragraph.

To cite your sources, you should include the author’s name, the title of the source, and the publication information. For example:

“Textual Harassment.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Mar. 2018. Web. 20 Apr. 2018.

If you are citing a website, you should include the website’s URL. For example:

“Textual Harassment.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Mar. 2018. Web. 20 Apr. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/opinion/sunday/sexual-harassment-texts.html

Formatting Guidelines for MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

General Format

MLA style dictates that your paper include a header, page numbers, and double-spacing.

Your paper should be formatted like this:

Header

1 inch margin

Title

Page numbers

Double-spacing

Works Cited

In-Text Citations

The in-text citation for a source with one author looks like this: (Author, Year)

The in-text citation for a source with two authors looks like this: (Authors, Year)

If there are more than two authors, you can abbreviate the name of the first author with et al. (Author et al., Year)

Endnotes and Footnotes

If you choose to use endnotes or footnotes, they should be placed at the end of your paper on a separate page.

Works Cited

The Works Cited page should be formatted like this:

Title

Author

Publisher

Year

The title of the work should be in italics.

The author’s name should be in regular type.

The name of the publisher should be in italics.

The year the work was published should be in parentheses.

Citing Sources in MLA Style

When writing a research paper, it is important to cite the sources you used in order to give credit to the authors of the information you used. In the MLA Style, citations are included in parentheses after a brief restatement of the information taken from the source.

There are a few things to keep in mind when citing sources in MLA Style:

1. In-text citations should include the author’s name and the page number from which the information was taken.

2. If there are multiple authors, the in-text citation should include the first author’s name followed by “et al.”

3. The Works Cited page should list the sources alphabetically by author’s last name.

4. If a source does not have an author, it should be listed by the title of the work.

Here is an example of an in-text citation using MLA Style:

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, “the risk of mental health problems for children of divorced parents is significantly higher than for children of intact families” (Daniels et al. 1250).

Here is an example of a Works Cited entry using MLA Style:

Daniels, J., et al. “The Risk of Mental Health Problems for Children of Divorced Parents.” Journal of the American Psychological Association 50.12 (2005): 1250-1263.

Creating a Works Cited page in MLA Style

The MLA style for formatting a Works Cited page is simple and straightforward. It follows the same basic formatting as a regular essay, with a few minor differences.

The first difference is that the Works Cited page is placed at the end of the essay, after the conclusion.

The second difference is that the Works Cited page is paginated, meaning that each entry is numbered and the page number is included in the citation.

The third difference is that the Works Cited page includes a header with the title “Works Cited” and the page number.

The final difference is that, in addition to the regular citation format, the Works Cited page includes a bibliography, which is a list of all the works that were referenced in the essay.

To format a Works Cited page in MLA style, follow these simple steps:

1. Start by creating a header at the top of the page with the title “Works Cited” and the page number.

2. Next, list the works that were referenced in the essay, beginning with the most recent work and working backwards.

3. Include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the page number.

4. If a work has more than one author, list the authors’ names in the order in which they appear in the work.

5. If a work is an article or a chapter, include the name of the journal or book in which it was published, and the page number.

6. If a work is an online source, include the name of the website, the date it was published, and the URL.

Here is an example of a Works Cited page in MLA style:

Works Cited

Smith, John. “How to Write an Essay in MLA Style.” The Owl at Purdue. Purdue University, 23 May 2017. Web. 02 Feb. 2018.

Jones, Bill. “How to Format a Works Cited Page in MLA Style.” The Owl at Purdue. Purdue University, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 02 Feb. 2018.

Brown, Joe. “MLA Style Bibliography.” The Owl at Purdue. Purdue University, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 02 Feb. 2018.

McDonald, Ronald. “How to Cite a Website in MLA Style.” The Owl at Purdue. Purdue University, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 02 Feb. 2018.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in MLA Style

When writing in MLA style, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. These mistakes can range from accidentally leaving out important pieces of information, to incorrectly formatting your citations. By being aware of these mistakes, you can avoid them and produce a finished product that is properly formatted according to MLA style guidelines.

Perhaps the most common mistake made when writing in MLA style is to forget to include important information in your citations. This can include things like the author’s name, the title of the work, or the date of publication. Make sure to double check that all of the information included in your citations is correct, and that you are following the correct formatting guidelines.

Another common mistake made when writing in MLA style is to improperly format your citations. This can include things like using the wrong punctuation, or not following the correct spacing guidelines. Make sure to carefully read the MLA style guidelines so that you can correctly format your citations.

Finally, it is important to be aware that there are specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources. Make sure you are using the correct formatting guidelines for the type of source you are citing.

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid them and produce a finished product that is correctly formatted according to MLA style guidelines.

Tips for Effective Writing in MLA Style

Writing in MLA style can be difficult, but following some simple tips can make the process much easier.

1. Always use a spellchecker. Misspelled words can make your writing look careless.

2. Make sure your grammar is correct. Bad grammar can also make your writing look careless.

3. Use correct punctuation. Improper punctuation can change the meaning of your words.

4. Use quotation marks around direct quotations. Quotations allow you to use the exact words of another person, and they help to clarify who is saying what.

5. Use a Works Cited page to list the sources you used for your paper. This page helps to ensure that you are giving credit to the correct sources.

6. Follow the MLA style guidelines. These guidelines will ensure that your paper looks consistent and professional.

7. Proofread your paper. A final proofread will help to catch any mistakes that you may have missed.

Resources for Further Assistance with MLA Style

When writing in MLA style, you must carefully follow the guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association (MLA). These guidelines ensure that your paper is presented in a consistent and accurate manner. To help you understand and follow the MLA style guidelines, here are some resources that may be helpful:

The MLA Handbook

The MLA Handbook is the primary resource for understanding and following the MLA style guidelines. It provides comprehensive information on everything from creating a Works Cited list to formatting citations in-text.

The MLA Style Center

The MLA Style Center is a comprehensive online resource that provides information on all aspects of MLA style. It includes guidelines for formatting papers, sample papers, and more.

MLA Formatting and Style Guide

This online resource provides clear and concise guidelines for formatting papers in MLA style. It includes information on everything from margins to spacing to font type.

Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide

This online resource provides extensive guidelines for formatting papers in MLA style. It includes information on every aspect of MLA style, from in-text citations to Works Cited lists.