General MLA Guidelines for Formatting a Research Paper
Equipment: Use a word processing program on a computer to type your paper; print your paper on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper.
Line spacing: Double-space the entire paper, including title, body, and entries on the Works Cited page.
Margins: 1 inch on all sides, ½ inch indent on the first line of each paragraph. Exceptions: * Works Cited page: ½ inch hanging indent. * Page numbers: At top right on each page, ½ inch from top of page, 1 inch from right.
Header: Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, ½ inch from the top, flush with the right margin. (Double-check instructions or guidelines from your professor; you may be asked to omit the page number on the first page.)
Notes? Include them on a page before your Works Cited page and format them the same as your Works Cited list.
First Page of Your Paper:
Include a title page only when specifically requested. Follow formatting guidelines from your professor.
At the top left corner of the first page, type your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date (all double-spaced).
Center the title on the line below the last line of the header (with your name); begin your paper below the title.
At the top right corner of the first page, insert header with your last name and page number (see Header above).
