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Mastering The MLA Format – A Comprehensive Guide

Published by at March 10th, 2025 , Revised On March 10, 2025

MLA is a common academic formatting style that is widely used by students, researchers, and individuals in academic papers and research proposals. It provides a comprehensive guideline for referencing original and credible sources so that your work showcases consistency, maintains academic integrity, and avoids plagiarism. 

This citation style was developed by the Modern Language Association and is used in fields like humanities, literature, history, and philosophy. In short, MLA format was designed to make your written work clear and organised and give credit to authors whose work you are referencing in your research. 

The latest version, the MLA Handbook (9th Edition), was released in 2021 and provides citation rules and formatting standards. In this blog, we will guide you on mastering the MLA format and the essentials for MLA formatting, which also include paper structure, in-text citations, works cited pages, and how to cite different sources according to the MLA format. 

Main Components Of The MLA Citation Style

For every academic paper or literature review, you need to cite sources that mention where your evidence or points came from. This allows readers to understand your findings and conclusions and is also necessary to validate your ideas with proof. 

According to the MLA handbook, “You must cite sources when the work of others informs your ideas.” 

This also means that every word or thought that is not yours needs to be referenced accurately and separately, even if they are two in a sentence. 

Before we understand how to format a paper in MLA style, let us take a look at the main components of every MLA citation: 

1 Author’s Name
  • The name of the creator whose work you are using as a reference in your paper.
  • Always put the surname first, separated by a comma, followed by the first name and a period at the end. (For example, Black, John.)
  • If there are two authors, put the first author’s last name in the inverted form and then write the name of the second author in regular form. (For example, Black, John, and Chris Thorn)
  • If the author is unknown, then you can start with the title of the source.
2 Title of Source
  • This is the title of the source you are using as a reference, such as the movie name, book title, image name, or short poem.
  • The title of the source is written in quotation marks when the source is part of a smaller work.
  • Larger works such as books, TV shows, and websites are italicized.
  • If the title of the source is unknown, write it without quotation marks or italics.
3 Title of Container
  • This is the title of the larger work that the source is part of, such as a journal, website, or database.
  • The title of the container is always italicized.
  • The Journal of Humanities
4 Contributor
  • Mention only the necessary contributors for the citation.
  • Before the name, always mention their role (e.g., produced by Jane Peter).
5 Version
  • Mention the edition, version, or revision if available.
  • This part should be in lowercase.
  • Example: vol. 4, no. 2.
6 Publisher’s Name
  • This is the name of the publisher, such as the company or organisation that published the source.
  • Example: Penguin
7 Date of Publication
  • This is the date or year of publication.
  • If multiple publication dates exist, cite the one you used.
8 Source Location
  • This is the location of the source, such as a URL, page numbers for books, or disk numbers for DVDs.
  • Example: pp. 78-92

Page Formatting Rules of 9th Edition

Proper page formatting in MLA 9th edition is extremely important for clarity, readability, and uniformity of academic writing. This set of rules ensures a professional appearance while allowing readers to navigate easily. 

Be it an essay, assignment, or research paper, it is important to properly format it according to the MLA style so that your paper looks professional and organised. Different citation styles, such as Chicago, Harvard, APA, etc., also have various formatting rules, and MLA 9th edition is no exception. Here are the page formatting rules of MLA style: 

Page Size Standard 8.5” *11” paper
Margins Use a 1” margin on all sides of the page to keep your text neat and organised.
Font Style Times New Roman
Font Size 12-pts
Line Spacing The entire document, including headings, body texts, and the Works Cited Page, should be double-spaced.
Indentation Start each new paragraph with a 0.5” first-line indent
Alignment Left-Aligned
Running Header
Place it at the top-right corner of each page. Then, include the last name of the writer, followed by the page number. There should be a single space between the number and the page.
Title & Header The MLA format does not include a separate title page unless instructed. However, you must include essential information in the header, such as:

  • Name of the student
  • Name of the course instructor
  • The course name
  • Date
  • The paper’s title (centred, in regular font, without bold or underlining)

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MLA Paragraphs Formatting

The proper formatting of paragraphs improves the text’s quality and enhances the clarity and flow of ideas in that text. Here are MLA formatting tips for beginners who struggle with formatting paragraphs: 

  • Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches from the left margin. This practice gives a structured appearance to your text. 
  • Alignment: Your text should be aligned to the left. 
  • Line-Spacing: Your paragraphs should maintain double-spacing like the rest of the paper. 
  • Font: Use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman in size 12. The choice of font and size ensures the readability of your text. 

How To Format Quotations In MLA Format?

Adding quotations is another way of including sources in your text. The MLA style differentiates between long and short quotations depending on their length and provides clear guidelines for citation.

Short Quotations 

Use double quotation marks for quotations of fewer than four lines of prose or three lines of verse (“”). Such quotations are written as part of the text and cannot be formatted separately. In other words, the rules for formatting short quotations are the same as for paragraphs. 

For Example: “This is the quoted text” (John 45)

Long quotations 

If quotations exceed four lines of prose or three lines of verse, they are to be written as block quotations. Here is how you can format block quotations: 

  • Each block quote should begin on a new line
  • The whole block should be indented on the left by 1 inch. 
  • In block quotations, there is no need for quotation marks. 

Example: 

To sum up, it is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone to believe anything upon insufficient evidence. If a man, holding a belief which he was taught in childhood or persuaded of afterwards, keeps down and pushes away any doubts which arise in his mind, purposely avoids the reading of books and the company of men that called into question or discuss it, and regards as impious those questions which cannot easily be asked without disturbing it – the life of that man is one long sin against mankind. (Clifford 186)

MLA Headings & Subheadings

Headings and subheadings should always be differentiated so that your text can stand out from the other written paragraphs. It also gives readers a clear idea of your work and what you are addressing. The MLA style provides the following formatting rules for headings and subheadings: 

Level of Heading Formatting
First-Level Heading Flushed left, Italicized, Title Case Heading
Second-Level Heading Flushed left, Italicized, Title Case Heading
Third-Level Heading Bold, Centered, Title Case
Fourth-Level Heading Italicized, Centered, Title Case
Fifth-Level Heading Flushed left, Italicized, Title Case

MLA Style For In-Text Citations

The in-text citation is used to give credit to the author or source that you have used in your work. These citations involve citing the source within the text right next to its reference and are written at the end of the sentence before the period. There are two types of in-text citations: parenthetical and narrative. Let us look at the guidelines for in-text citations in MLA style: 

Parenthetical Citations 

In MLA style, in-text citations are written in parentheses at the end of the paraphrased sentence or source quotation. It includes the name of the author and page number, although the time stamp, line number, and page number are optional. This rule is applicable to all kinds of sources, whether it is a book, article, or journal. 

Example: This idea was groundbreaking (Garet 45) 

Narrative Citations 

Narrative in-text citations include the name of the author within the sentence. For this citation, you only need to include the page number at the end of the sentence. However, if the name of the author is unknown, then you can mention the title of the source. 

Example: According to Garet, this idea was groundbreaking. (45)

No Page Number 

If there is no page number, then you only have to mention the name of the author. For parenthetical in-text citations, you can follow this example:

Example: This idea was groundbreaking (Garet). 

For narrative in-text citations with no page number: 

Example: Garet argues that this idea was groundbreaking. 

Unknown Author 

If the source does not have an author, the in-text citation in MLA style allows researchers to include the title of the source in parentheses. 

Example: This is an example sentence. (“Innovations in Genetic Engineering” 16). 

Multiple Authors 

If you are citing a source with two or more authors, then separate their last names with “and.”

Example: The war on Iraq is a volatile subject of political debate; any wrong word and a heated argument could spark. (James and Smith 66). 

If you are citing a source with more than two authors, then use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” 

Example: The war on Iraq is a volatile subject of political debate; any wrong word and a heated argument could spark. (James et al. 66).

In-Text Citation for Multiple Works By Same Author 

If you are citing multiple works by the same author, then you must include a shortened version of the title in your citation to differentiate between them. Here is an example for your understanding: 

Example: (John, Economic Trends 74) and (John, Globalization 12) 

How To Use MLA Style For The Works Cited Page?

The Works Cited Page provides a detailed list of sources that the author has cited in the document. It is important to properly format this page as it helps readers locate the sources that have been used in this paper. Here are the rules of MLA style for the Works Cited Page: 

  • Start a new page with the title “Works Cited” centred on the top of the page. 
  • You must list your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name. If there is no known author, then use the title of the source. 
  • Double spacing is used throughout the page. 
  • A hanging indent must be applied for each entry. A hanging indent means that the first citation is flush with the left margin, while all other following lines are indented by 0.5 inches from the left margin. 

Citing Different Sources In Works Cited Page

Different sources are cited differently and can have a few changes. Here is how you can cite all kinds of courses according to the MLA format: 

Citing Books 

To cite a book in MLA style, start with the last name of the author, followed by his first name. A comma separates the two. Then, write the title of the book you are using as a source. The publisher’s name and publication date come at the end of the citation. 

Example: Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Bloomsbury, 1997. 

The in-text citation for a book in MLA style is as follows: 

In-Text Citation: (Rowling)

Citing Websites 

The format for citing websites in MLA style is simple. Begin this citation with the author’s last name, followed by the first name. The title of the web page will appear in quotation marks. Then comes the name of the website, which is italicised, followed by the publisher’s name and the publication date. The URL of the website comes at the end of the citation. 

Example: Kenworthy, Lane. “Lane Kenworthy.” The Good Society, 4 Jan 2015, lanekenworthy.net. 

The name of the author is known, which is why it is placed in parentheses. If there is no author, then the title of the webpage will be placed in parentheses with quotation marks. 

In-Text Citation: (Kenworthy)

Citing Images 

The format of citing an image or photograph in MLA style is: Last name, first name. “Title of image”, website name, year, and URL of an image if it is available online. 

Example: Allen, Rita. “Sunset Over the Ocean”. Unsplash, 2023, www.unsplash.com/image123. 

In-Text Citation: (Allen)

Citing Articles 

This citation begins with the author’s last name, followed by the first name. The title of the article will be written in quotation marks. Then comes the title of the journal, which is italicised, followed by the publisher’s name and the publication date. You can also mention the volume number if it is available. The page number from the articles comes at the end of the citation. 

Example: Lee, Jennifer. “The Effects of Music Therapy on Anxiety and Depression.”Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol 76 no. 4, 2020, pp. 567-589. 

In-Text Citation: (Lee 567-589)

Citing PowerPoint Presentation 

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style includes the author’s last name, followed by the first name. The title of the presentation is placed in quotation marks, followed by the name of the event or conference if it is available. The date of the event and location come at the end of the citation, which is optional.  

Example: William, Lisa. “The Evolution of Digital Marketing.” Marketing Strategies Conference. 15 Mar. 2023, New York City. PowerPoint Presentation.  

In-Text Citation: (William)

Citing Shakespeare 

The format for citing the work of Shakespeare in MLA style includes the name of the author. Name, followed by the title of the play, sonnet, or poem. The name of the collection comes afterwards, which is italicised. Then comes the name of the editor, publication date, and location of the source. 

Example: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, W.W. Norton, 2016, pp. 2500-2560.

For in-text citations, use the play title, act, scene, and line instead of page numbers. 

In-Text Citation: (Shakespeare 1.7.49) or (Macbeth 1.7.49)

Final Thoughts

Using MLA format as a citation style is not just about following the rules but also about maintaining academic integrity. However, you should avoid common mistakes so that you can easily master the MLA format. Always make sure that you follow the punctuation and formatting rules so that your research work’s credibility can be strengthened. Every idea, quote, or content that is not yours must be accurately cited to avoid plagiarism. By following the MLA citation guide with examples for in-text citations and a Works Cited Page, you can boost your academic writing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The MLA format does not require a separate title page unless your teacher or course instructor asks for it. However, you can include your name, the instructor’s name, the course name, and the date in the header. 

MLA format is commonly used for humanities and uses author-page in-text citations, whereas the APA citation style is used for social sciences and focuses on author-date in-text citations. 

To cite an online PDF in MLA style, include the author’s last name, followed by first name. Mention the title of the PDF, the publisher’s name, and the date or year of publication. The URL of the PDF comes at the end of the citation. 

Example: Jackson, Ann. Digital Marketing Strategies. Business Press, 2021, http://www.example.com/marketing.pdf.

About Ellie Cross

Avatar for Ellie CrossEllie Cross is the Content Manager at Essays.uk, assisting students for a long time. Since its inception, She has managed a growing team of great writers and content marketers who contribute to a great extent to helping students with their academics.

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