MLA Citation Guide
Updated for the 2021 9th edition.
Basic Formatting Rules
This information is adapted from "Formatting Your Research Project," which is chapter 1 of the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
Document Settings
- 1 inch margins
- Double spaced
- 0 points after paragraphs
- 12-point font that is "easily readable" (MLA, p. 1)
- Indent every paragraph
- Insert page numbers in upper right corner.
- Start numbering on page 1.
- Include
- your last name
- a space
- the page number
Use our sample MLA papers in Word or Google Doc formats below to see these in action. You can also use them! Replace our sample information with your own.
- MLA Handbook Plus: Introduction to Formatting Your Research Project
To learn how to set up your research project in MLA format, use the MLA's free sample chapter on MLA Handbook Plus.
Formatting the List of Works Cited
Works Cited Page
- A new page at the end of the paper
- Double spaced
- Hanging indentation
- The first line starts at the left margin
- Each following line is indented 0.5"
- Centered on top line: Works Cited
- Alphabetize the list by author. Use the title, if there is no author
- For web sources, remove the "https://" or "http://"
- Check with your instructor to see if links (URLs and DOIs) should be kept active and clickable, which is Microsoft Word's default (blue, underlined font) or if they want you to remove the hyperlinks
- In general, NWACC instructors prefer active links when the paper is submitted online and links removed when the paper is printed to be turned in.
- If no preference is given, MLA recommends removing hyperlinks (no color, no underline)
- Check with your instructor to see if links (URLs and DOIs) should be kept active and clickable, which is Microsoft Word's default (blue, underlined font) or if they want you to remove the hyperlinks
Sample MLA Papers for NWACC Assignments
- MLA 9 Microsoft Word Sample Paper for NWACC Assignments [.docx - 187 KB]Download this Microsoft Word document formatted in MLA style. It is a sample research paper that provides and explains the correct formatting for the body of the paper and the works cited list. You can edit it to have an MLA style paper.
- MLA 9 Google Docs Sample Paper for NWACC AssignmentsThis Google Doc is formatted in MLA style. It is a sample research paper that provides and explains the correct formatting for the body of the paper and the works cited list. You can edit it to have an MLA style paper for NWACC assignments. Open the doc, log in to Google and make a copy to edit.
Formatting the Name and Title Block
Name, Course, Date
- Begin with 4 standard elements, double spaced.
Your Name
Your Instructor's Name
Class or Course Name
Date the Paper is Due
- Instructor's Name: Use your instructor's full name and include Dr. if they have one. For example, Dr. Lindsay Hutton or Instructor Rachel Ackerman.
- Class / Course Name: Your instructor may have a preference so check. For example, does she prefer English 1013 or Composition I? They are the same class. If no preference is stated, MLA recommends English 1013.
- Date: Use the paper's due date. Dates are written Day Month Year, for example 18 September 2025.
Title
- Center the title on the page on the line immediately after the date.
- Type in regular font without bold, etc.
- Use title case. Title case capitalizes the first letter of each word with the exception of articles (the, an, a) and prepositions (of, with, on, in, etc.). For example: The Rise and Fall of the Mouse Pad