MLA Format: Complete Guide + Sample Paper

In the world of academic writing, formatting is not just a technical detail—it is part of how you communicate professionalism, credibility, and respect for scholarly standards. For millions of students across the United States and beyond, MLA format remains one of the most widely used and recognized academic styles.

Whether you are a high school student writing your first research paper, a college freshman learning academic conventions, or a graduate student polishing a literature essay, understanding MLA Format is essential. This complete guide walks you through everything you need to know—from basic setup to in-text citations, Works Cited pages, and a full sample paper.

By the end of this guide, you will not only know the rules, but you will understand why they exist and how to use them confidently.

What Is MLA Format?

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, an organization that creates guidelines for writing and documenting sources in the humanities. Its format is most commonly used in:

English and literature
Language studies
Cultural studies
Philosophy
Art history
Media and film studies
Composition and rhetoric

MLA style focuses on author-based citation. It means the reader can easily see who wrote a source and where the information comes from.

The goal of MLA is simple:
To make academic writing clear, consistent, and easy to verify.

Why MLA Format Still Matters

In an age of AI tools, digital libraries, and online research, you might wonder why formatting rules still matter. The answer is simple: academic integrity and clarity.

MLA format continues to be important because it:

Helps prevent plagiarism
Shows respect for intellectual property
Makes sources easy to locate
Creates a professional academic appearance
Helps instructors quickly evaluate your work
Trains students for future academic and professional writing

Even with citation generators and AI tools, students are still expected to understand MLA rules, not just copy and paste them.

MLA Format: Basic Paper Setup

Let’s start with the foundation. These rules apply to almost all MLA papers unless your instructor gives different instructions.

1. Paper Size and Margins

Use standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper
Set margins to 1 inch on all sides
Do not justify text (leave it left-aligned)

2. Font and Font Size

The recommended font is:

Times New Roman
Size 12

Other readable fonts may be allowed, but Times New Roman remains the most accepted.

3. Line Spacing

Double-space everything
This includes:
- The heading
- The entire essay
- Block quotes
- Works Cited page

Do NOT add extra space between paragraphs.

MLA Heading Format (Student Information)

MLA does NOT use a separate title page unless your teacher asks for one.

On the first page, place the following information in the upper left corner:

Your full name
Instructor’s name
Course name and number
Date (Day Month Year format)

Example:

John Smith
Professor Miller
ENG 101
30 January 2026

MLA Title Format

After your heading:

Press Enter once
Center your title
Do NOT bold, underline, or italicize
Use standard capitalization

Example:

The Impact of Social Media on Modern Communication

Then:

Press Enter
Begin your first paragraph

MLA Header and Page Numbers

In the upper right corner of every page:

Your last name
One space
Page number

Example:

Smith 1

This appears on every page, including the first page.

Paragraph Formatting in MLA

MLA paragraphs follow these rules:

Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches
Use the Tab key (not spaces)
Left-align text
Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs

In-Text Citations in MLA Format

In-text citations are one of the most important parts of MLA style. They tell the reader where your information comes from.

Basic In-Text Citation Format

MLA uses:

(Author’s Last Name Page Number)

Example:

Social media has changed how people communicate (Johnson 45).

If you mention the author in the sentence:

Johnson argues that social media has changed how people communicate (45).

No Page Numbers?

For online sources with no page numbers:

Use only the author’s last name:

Digital communication is rapidly evolving (Martinez).

Two Authors

List both last names:

(Garcia and Lee 112)

Three or More Authors

Use the first author’s last name + et al.

(Thompson et al. 78)

Corporate or Organization Author

Use the organization name:

(World Health Organization 15)

Block Quotes in MLA

If a quotation is more than four lines of prose, use a block quote.

Block quote rules:

Start on a new line
Indent the entire quote 0.5 inches
Do NOT use quotation marks
Keep double spacing
Put citation after the punctuation

Example:

Literature reflects cultural values and historical change in powerful ways. Through narrative and character development, authors shape how readers understand society and themselves. This relationship between text and reader creates meaning that evolves over time. (Williams 142)

MLA Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page lists every source you cited in your paper.

General Works Cited Formatting

Start on a new page
Center the title: Works Cited
Double-space
Alphabetize by author’s last name
Use hanging indent (second line indented 0.5 inches)

MLA Core Elements

MLA uses a flexible system of core elements:

Author
Title of source
Title of container
Other contributors
Version
Number
Publisher
Publication date
Location (page numbers or URL)

Not all elements appear in every citation.

Common MLA Works Cited Examples

Book

Smith, John. American Literature Today. Pearson, 2024.

Journal Article

Garcia, Maria. “Digital Identity in the 21st Century.” Journal of Media Studies, vol. 18, no. 2, 2025, pp. 45-62.

Website

Johnson, Emily. “How Social Media Shapes Teen Communication.” Digital Culture Review, 12 May 2025,

Online News Article

Lee, Robert. “Education in the Age of AI.” The New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025

MLA Sample Paper (Short Example)

Below is a simplified sample to show how MLA looks in practice.

Smith 1

John Smith
Professor Miller
ENG 101
30 January 2026

The Influence of Technology on Student Learning

Technology has become an essential part of modern education. From online classrooms to digital textbooks, students now rely on technology for both instruction and research. This shift has changed not only how students learn but also how teachers design their courses.

Researchers argue that technology increases student engagement when used effectively (Garcia 52). Interactive platforms, educational apps, and virtual collaboration tools allow students to participate more actively in their learning process. However, technology also presents challenges, including distraction and unequal access.

Despite these concerns, technology remains a powerful tool in education. When combined with strong teaching strategies, it can support diverse learning styles and improve academic outcomes.

Common MLA Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced students make these errors:

Forgetting to double-space
Using bold or underline for the title
Incorrect in-text citation format
Missing Works Cited entries
Inconsistent font size
Incorrect date format
Not using hanging indents
Using first names in in-text citations

Avoiding these mistakes can instantly improve your grade.

MLA Format and AI Tools

Many students now use:

Citation generators
AI writing assistants
Grammar checkers
Research tools

These tools can help, but they are not perfect. Always:

Double-check citations
Verify URLs
Confirm author names
Make sure formatting matches MLA rules

Your instructor can usually tell when citations are auto-generated but incorrect.

MLA vs APA vs Chicago (Quick Comparison)

MLA is not the only academic style. Here’s how MLA compares:

MLA → Humanities, literature, language
APA → Psychology, education, social sciences
Chicago → History, some publishing fields

Using the correct style is part of following assignment instructions.

Why Professors Still Care About MLA

To students, MLA may feel like busywork. To professors, it represents:

Attention to detail
Academic honesty
Professional communication
Readability
Respect for scholarship

Learning MLA is not just about one paper—it builds habits for future academic and professional success.

Final Thoughts on MLA Format

MLA format remains a cornerstone of academic writing in the humanities. While technology continues to change how we research and write, the principles behind MLA—clarity, credit, and consistency—remain just as important as ever.

Mastering MLA format gives you more than correct margins and citations. It gives you confidence as a writer, credibility as a student, and respect as a scholar.

Whether you are writing a five-paragraph essay or a twenty-page research paper, MLA format helps your ideas stand on solid academic ground.