MLA Paper Formatting Basics

Consistent and correct formatting is a key component of academic writing in the MLA style. While the quality of your research and writing is paramount, proper formatting enhances the readability and professionalism of your paper, making it easier for your audience to engage with your work. The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides a standard set of guidelines for formatting papers.

General MLA Formatting Guidelines

  • Font: Use a readable, standard font (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri). Font size should typically be 12 points.
  • Margins: Set uniform margins of 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
  • Spacing: Double-space the entire paper, including quotations, headings, the title, and Works Cited. Do not add extra space between paragraphs or before/after headings.
  • Paragraph Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (one tab key press).
  • Page Numbers: Your last name and the page number should appear in the upper right-hand corner of every page, 0.5 inches from the top margin.
  • Punctuation: Use one space after periods and other terminal punctuation marks.