MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used style for formatting research papers and citing sources in the humanities and liberal arts. It is often used in English, literature, and language courses, as well as in other fields that involve the study of human culture and communication.
An MLA paper typically includes a title page, an outline, the main body of the paper, and a works cited page. Each of these components has specific guidelines that should be followed to ensure that the paper is formatted correctly and that sources are properly cited.
The title page of an MLA paper should include the title of the paper, the student's name, and the course or instructor's name. The title should be centered on the page and should be double-spaced.
The outline is a helpful tool for organizing the main points of the paper. It should include an introduction, the main body of the paper, and a conclusion. Each main point should be labeled with a Roman numeral and should be followed by a brief summary of the point.
The main body of the paper should be double-spaced and should include an introduction, the main points of the paper, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide an overview of the main points of the paper and should introduce the topic of the paper. The main points should be organized in a logical order and should be supported by evidence and examples. The conclusion should summarize the main points of the paper and should provide a final analysis or evaluation of the topic.
In an MLA paper, all sources should be cited using in-text citations and a works cited page. In-text citations should be included whenever a source is used in the paper and should include the author's last name and the page number of the source. The works cited page should be a separate page at the end of the paper and should list all of the sources used in the paper in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Each source should be listed in the proper MLA format, which includes the author's name, the title of the work, the publisher, and the publication date.
Overall, an MLA paper should be well-organized, clearly written, and properly formatted and cited. By following these guidelines, students can ensure that their papers meet the expectations of their instructors and are of high quality.