How to Cite an Essay in MLA Format

How to Cite an Essay in MLA Format How to Cite an Essay in MLA Format MLA stands for Modern Language Association. This is also a style which is widely accepted by a number of schools, academic departments, and instructors. The association has set a set of guidelines which is used by a large number of scholarly and literary journals, newsletters, and magazines. MLA is a common format for writing on humanities like language and literature. In comparison to other writing styles, MLA is simpler and more concise. The writing style further features brief citations in the text keyed to an alphabetical list of works cited in the original document. MLA is also an international standard that is followed by the many university and commercial press across different countries. For citing an essay in MLA format, you have to keep in mind the various guidelines issued by Association for writing essays of a specialized nature.

Instructions

While writing the essay in MLA format, you have to start implementing the guidelines from the first page itself. The research essay need not include a separate and specific section. So you have to insert a header into the essay which will include your personal details and work as the title page. The MLA guidelines also suggest the exact point where you have to mention the personal details on the first page along with the spacing between two sections. Include your last name and the page number with the right-hand margin at 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) below the top of the page.
Below the previous line flush with the left margin write your full name, instructors’ name, course title and number along with the date of submission. Each of these details has to be double-spaced. Below the double spaced date of submission, type the title of you essay in double -spaced format. After typing the title, you can start with the first paragraph of the essay.
Starting from the next page onwards you have to continue including the header in each of the remaining pages. The header in each page must include your last name and the page number which will be numbered consecutively. In each of the pages, you have to space the header at 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) from the top of the page and content of your essay at one inch (2.54 cm) from the top of the page.
On each page of your endnotes you have to include the header containing both your last name and the consecutive page number with the same spacing as mentioned in the previous step. You are further required to include the header in each page of the list of Works Consulted. The header will be included with the exact content and spacing similar to the endnotes pages.
The content of your research essay has to written in a double-spaced manner. The content can be handwritten as well as typewritten or computer-printed. You have to type the essay on one side of a paper of standard letter size (8 ½ x 11 inch).