MLA 8th Edition: Style & Format
Note: Always confirm with your instructor about special instructions or exceptions.
General guidelines
- Margins should be set to 1 inch on all sides.
- All text should be double-spaced.
- Text should be in a legible, 12 pt. font (Times New Roman is preferred by many instructors).
- Page numbers should be in the upper right-hand corner and should include your last name and the number.
The first page
- Unless required by an instructor, a title page is not necessary. MLA does not require a title page.
- The header should be in the upper left-hand corner and should include:
- Your name
- Instructor’s Name
- Course
- Date
- The title should be centered and should not be underlined, bolded, italicized, or in any new font style.
- The title should be in Title Case (using capital letters for principal words but not conjunctions, prepositions, or articles).
- The header and title should both be double-spaced, just like the rest of the text.
Zachary Fair
Professor Hewley
English 102
10 May 2015
Rick Riordan: Simple on the Surface
In 2007. when the last Harry Potter book came out and the corresponding movies began to reach their final installment, publishes and producers alike began scrambling to find the next "big thing." While some of the better series were overlooked, Hollywood did put out quite a few...
Italics & Quotation Marks for Titles
Generally, titles of larger works or “containers” are italicized, while the smaller pieces that fit into those containers are put in quotation marks.
The following should be italicized:
- Book title
- Website name
- Magazine title
- Journal title
- Movie title
- Television series
- Album name
- Database name
The following should be in “quotation” marks:
- Chapter title
- Article title
- Short story title
- Poem title
- Song title
- Television episode
Identifying Authors
MLA advises to omit titles, affiliations, and degrees that precede or follow an author’s name, such as Sir, Mrs., or PhD.
Single Author
In the body of the paper
- First use: Louise Simonson
- Later uses: Simonson
In in-text citations
- (Simonson)
In the Works Cited page
- Simonson, Louise
Two Authors
In the body of the paper
- First use: Katie Holt and Lance McClain
- Later uses: Holt and McClain
In in-text citations
- (Holt and McClain)
In the Works Cited page
- Holt, Katie, and Lance McClain
Three or More Authors
In the body of the paper
- First use: Gabriel Reyes at al.
- Later uses: Reyes at al.
- Also acceptable: Reyes and his coauthors
In in-text citations
- (Reyes at al.)
In the Works Cited page
- Reyes, Gabriel, et al.
For more detailed information regarding MLA style, the University Writing & Speaking Center recommends:
- MLA Handbook, 8th edition (available for reference in the Writing Center)