What is Modern Language Association?

Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used for formatting and documenting work in English and other disciplines in the humanities. Using MLA format correctly increases your credibility as a writer by demonstrating your knowledge of disciplinary conventions. Always defer to instructor or publication requirements. For more information, consult our MLA “Works Cited” and “In-Text Citation” handouts; an MLA Handbook, 8th edition; the MLA Style Center; or visit the KSU Writing Center for one-on-one help.

 

    • Use 12-point Times New Roman font (or other easy-to-read typeface).
    • Set margins to one inch on all sides. Indent all paragraphs one “tab.” Tabs for indenting should be set to 0.5”.
    • Number and include a header on all pages (unless your instructor specifies otherwise). The header consists of your last name and page number (½ inch from top and flush right) in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
    • Spell out numbers that can be written in one or two words (ten, twenty-three, five hundred, two billion); otherwise use numerals (736, 4¾, 2.8, 99,000).
    • Double-space throughout the entire essay. Do not skip additional lines/space between paragraphs.
    • MLA style does not require a separate title page. Do not italicize or bold your title. 
    • In the upper left corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor’s name, the course name and number, and the date (all double-spaced). 
    • Center your title on the next double-spaced line after the date. Begin the essay on the following double-spaced line. 
    • Cite all material from outside sources using in-text parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page following the main body of your essay (see our MLA “Works Cited Page” and “In-Text Citation” handouts).  
    • Limit your use of quotations; quote only when absolutely necessary for accuracy or context purposes. 
    • Make sure non-quoted (paraphrased or summarized) outside material is entirely in your own phrasing. 
    • Use present tense when discussing/introducing sources (Shakespeare writes of men’s “hard-favoured rage” in battle) unless the original date of the text is provided (In 1599, Shakespeare wrote of men’s “hard-favoured rage” in battle). 
    • Long quotations (4+ lines of prose or 3+ lines of verse) should be offset as a “block quotation.”
    • Begin the quotation on a new line; do not use quotation marks. Indent the entire quotation one-half inch from the left margin and continue double-spacing. Unlike for shorter quotations, the parenthetical citation is placed after closing punctuation.