MLA Format for Essay: A How-To Guide for Writing

MLA format for essay is a set of rules, especially in subjects like literature, history, or philosophy. It helps your paper look neat and organized. These rules cover elements including margins, font, spacing, and how to give credit to sources you use. In simple terms, it's a guide to make sure your essay is clear and easy to read. Following MLA format means structuring your paper properly, adding in-text citations, and including a Works Cited page at the end.

This article will help you understand how to format your essay step by step. From setting up your header to citing your sources, we'll make each part simple and straightforward. By the time you finish reading, you'll know exactly how to format your essay in MLA style.

If you still feel unsure or stuck, don't stress. EssayHub's essay writer service is here to make things easier. Whether you need help formatting, organizing, or writing your essay, our team can handle it!

General MLA Essay Formatting Guidelines

Once you get the hang of the MLA essay format, it'll become second nature. To ensure your work is professional and consistent, you should follow the below guidelines. Trust us, your professors will greatly appreciate it.

See a related article about MPLA vs APA format.

How to Set Up MLA Format in Google Docs?

Setting up MLA format in Google Docs is quick and simple. Just follow these steps, and you'll have a proper essay format ready in no time.

1. Go to Google Docs and create a blank document.
2. Click File > Page Setup and ensure all margins are set to 1 inch.
3. Select Times New Roman from the font dropdown and set the font size to 12.
4. Highlight your text (or set this up before typing) and click Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing > Double.
5. Click Insert > Header & Page Number > Page Number > Top-right option.
6. In the header, type your last name before the page number and press Tab to align it to the right.
7. At the top-left corner, type your heading
8. Center your title below the heading using the alignment button in the toolbar.
9. Press the Tab key once at the beginning of each paragraph to create a 0.5-inch indent.

MLA Citation Example

Citing sources in MLA format involves two parts: in-text citations within your essay and a detailed entry on the Works Cited page. Here's an example to illustrate how it works.

In-Text Citation

When quoting or paraphrasing a source, include the author's last name and page number in parentheses. For example:

In discussing the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems, Thompson notes that “rising sea levels threaten biodiversity and human settlements alike” (45).

Works Cited Entry

The full citation appears at the end of your essay in the Works Cited section. The example above would look like this:

Thompson, Claire. Coastal Ecosystems in Crisis: The Impact of Climate Change. Green Press, 2021.

This example highlights an academic book - a common source for research essays. Adjust your citations depending on the type of source you use, such as journal articles, websites, or multimedia.

If you're also interested in the Turabian format, check out our dedicated article.

MLA Essay Header and Title

Writing an essay in MLA format begins with a structured header and title to ensure a polished presentation. Start in the top-left corner of the first page with four lines of information: your name, your instructor's name, the course name, and the date. The date is written in the format day month year (e.g., 21 November 2024).

Next, add your essay's title. Center it on the line below your header. Use title case, which means capitalizing the first and last words, as well as all major words. Avoid bold, italics, underlining, or using quotation marks for your title unless they're part of a specific work's title (e.g., The Great Gatsby).

MLA formatting also requires a header with your last name and page number on every page. In Google Docs or Word, use the header feature to insert this information. Align it to the top-right corner, ensuring consistency across pages.

Finally, note that MLA does not use a separate "Running Head" label as in APA format. The simplicity of this structure ensures your work looks neat and professional, making it easy for your audience to follow.

Formatting the Main Body of the Essay

The main body of your MLA formatted essay follows clear formatting rules to maintain consistency and readability.

When incorporating sources, MLA uses in-text citations. Include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses immediately after the quote, paraphrase, or summary. For example:

"Education shapes societal values and progress" (Jackson 23).

For quotes longer than four lines, format them as block quotes. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin and omit quotation marks. The parenthetical citation follows the punctuation, as in this example:

Education is a cornerstone of progress:

Without it, societies stagnate, creativity wanes, and inequality grows unchecked. (Jackson 45)

Remember to double-space throughout and use the Tab key to indent the first line of every paragraph by 0.5 inches. Following these rules makes your essay visually cohesive and easy to navigate.

Creating the Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page lists all the sources you referenced. Begin a new page at the end of your essay and title it Works Cited (not bolded, underlined, or italicized). Center the title at the top of the page.

Entries should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. If no author is available, alphabetize by the first significant word in the title. Each entry uses a hanging indent, where the second and subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches.

Here are examples of common citation types:

• Book: Jackson, Liam. The Art of Writing. Penguin, 2024.
• Journal Article: Brown, Sarah. "The Role of Education in Society." Educational Research Quarterly, vol. 34, no. 2, 2022, pp. 12-29.
• Online Source: "Climate Change Facts." NASA, 2023, www.nasa.gov/climatechangefacts.

A proper MLA format for essay must include a Works Cited page so that readers can trace your sources, showcasing your research depth and academic integrity.

MLA Footnotes and Endnotes

MLA allows the use of footnotes and endnotes to provide additional information or clarify points that might otherwise disrupt the flow of your essay. Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page, while endnotes are listed at the end of the essay before the Works Cited page. Both should be used sparingly and only when necessary. Below is a table summarizing how to format footnotes and endnotes in MLA:

By following these guidelines, you can use notes effectively without disrupting your essay's readability.

Images, Tables, Numbers in MLA

MLA format includes specific guidelines for integrating visual elements and numerical information into your essay.

Images - Include relevant images sparingly. Label them as "Figure" with a number (e.g., Figure 1), followed by a descriptive caption. Place the figure close to the related text. Example:

Figure 1. Climate Change Effects on Polar Regions.

(Image source: National Geographic)

Tables - Label tables as "Table" with a number, and provide a title above the table. Include source information below the table. Example Table:

Numbers - Use numerals for numbers above 10 (e.g., 15) and spell out numbers below 10 (e.g., three) unless part of a measurement (e.g., 5 km). For precise data or dates, use numerals. Example: "By 2030, global temperatures may rise by 2°C."

Abbreviations in MLA

MLA style has specific rules for abbreviations to maintain clarity and consistency. Below is a table of the most common abbreviations and their uses:

Additional Tips for Crafting Essay in MLA Format

Now that you've mastered the rules for formatting essay in MLA format, it's time to focus on practical tips to refine your paper further.

• Double-check that your margins, font, and spacing are consistent throughout the document. Even small formatting inconsistencies can distract your reader.
• Always proofread your in-text citations and Works Cited page to ensure every source is correctly listed and formatted. Missing or incorrect citations can undermine your credibility.
• Use italics for titles of full works (e.g., books, films) and quotation marks for smaller pieces (e.g., articles, poems).
• Avoid overusing block quotes; integrate shorter quotes into your sentences to maintain the flow of your writing.
• If you're including supplemental content like images or tables, ensure each is relevant, labeled properly, and cited correctly.
• Save your document frequently, and if possible, use cloud storage to avoid accidental data loss.
• Consider using MLA formatting tools or citation generators for accuracy, but always double-check their output against official MLA guidelines.
• Keep your writing clear and concise. Unnecessary filler or overly complex sentences can detract from your argument and readability.

In Summing Up

To recap, MLA format essays should have a consistent structure to ensure they are professional and easy to read. Key guidelines include:

• Use standard 1-inch margins, double spacing, and a legible 12-point font like Times New Roman.
• Include a header with your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date in the top-left corner.
• Add a centered, properly capitalized title without special formatting.
• Insert a page header with your last name and page number aligned to the top-right corner of each page.
• Format in-text citations with the author's last name and page number (e.g., Mickelberg 23).
• Include a Works Cited page with entries in alphabetical order and a hanging indent.
• Properly label and format visuals like tables or images with captions and citations.

If you find MLA formatting overwhelming, EssayHub can simplify the process. Whether you need help with formatting, citations, or even drafting an essay, their expert assistance ensures your assignment meets all requirements with ease.