How to Cite Sources

Modern Language Association documentation guidelines are often used in the humanities fields, including English, comparative literature, literary criticism, and foreign-languages. The most recent edition is the ninth, published in 2021.

Learn more here:

• MLA Handbook by The Modern Language Association of America

• Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide

The general format for any MLA citation:

• Author. Title. Title of container (do not list container for standalone books, e.g. novels), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI). 2^nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location, Date of Access (if applicable).

Typography

• MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif).

Line Spacing & Margins

• Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.
• Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.
• Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.

Heading & Title

• An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:
• Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout): 

Your Name

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Date

• Center the title on the next line. Follow capitalization rules. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title. Example: The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange
• Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.

Style Headings & Subheadings 

• According to the MLA Style Center website, writers should avoid using headings in shorter papers. If you are writing a longer research paper, you may want to include headings and subheadings to help organize the sections of your paper. See advice from the MLA Style Center

The Works Cited page is the list of sources used in the research paper. It should be its own page at the end of the paper.

• Center the title, Works Cited, at the top of the page. If only one source was consulted, title the page "Work Cited".
• Double-space the entire list of sources.
• Use hanging indention for each entry. Begin each entry flush with the left margin; indent all subsequent lines one-half inch.
• Arrange entries in alphabetical order by the first term in each entry (the first author's last name or the title of the work when there is no author).
• Continue with the numbering convention used throughout the paper by including your last name and the page number in the upper right-hand corner of the Works Cited page.