Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
You are welcome to look in the MLA Handbook and see there is one preferred style or
convention (you will also find the answer at end of this section marked by an asterisk
[*]). Now you may say to yourself that you won’t write that term and it may be true, but
you will come to a term or word that has more than one way it can be written. In that
case, what convention is acceptable in MLA style? This is where the MLA Handbook
serves as an invaluable resource. Again, your attention to detail and the professional
presentation of your work are aspects of learning to write in an academic setting.
Now let’s transition from a general discussion on the advantages of MLA style to what
we are required to do to write a standard academic essay. We will first examine a general
“to do” list, then review a few “do not” suggestions, and finally take a tour through a
sample of MLA features. Links to sample MLA papers are located at the end of this
section.
General MLA List
- Use standard white paper (8.5 × 11 inches).
- Double space the essay and quotes.
- Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
- Use one-inch margins on all sides
- Indent paragraphs (five spaces or 1.5 inches).
- Include consecutive page numbers in the upper-right corner.
- Use italics to indicate a title, as in Writing for Success.
- On the first page, place your name, course, date, and instructor’s name in the upper-left
corner. - On the first page, place the title centered on the page, with no bold or italics and all
words capitalized. - On all pages, place the header, student’s name + one space + page number, 1.5 inches
from the top, aligned on the right.
Tip
Depending on your field of study, you may sometimes write research papers in either
APA or MLA style. Recognize that each has its advantages and preferred use in fields
and disciplines. Learn to write and reference in both styles with proficiency.