The things you should know about MLA Format Essay to be a good writer

Publication Date: 31 May 2018
Author: Ben Parker

Tips on writing MLA Format Essay

First of all, let’s define what MLA format essay is. There is an organization MLA or Modern Language Association that was founded in the USA for learning the literature and languages. This professional organization was created in order to increase the level of language and literature learning. Look at the numbers, more than 25,000 members (those are teachers, postgraduates, academics, etc.) in around 100 countries study or teach languages and literature.

How to write MLA Essay Format

The MLA style defines guidelines for the formatting of manuscripts and the use of English in writing. MLA style gives the writers opportunity to refer to their sources and quotes through parenthetical citation.

Let’s start with the general guidelines that will help you to format your paper just right from the beginning.

• Apply white 8 ½  x 11” paper.
• Set 1 inch margins on the top, sides, and bottom.
•  Use 12 point size
• Indent set-off quotations one inch from the left margin
• The first word in every paragraph should be indented one-half inch.
• When it comes to the font, use the readable one such as Times New Roman.
•  Leave one space after periods and other punctuation marks, unless your instructor tells you to make two spaces.
• Double space the entire research paper, even the works cited page.

Title page guide

The first page of your paper is the title page. Here it is important to include your last name, teacher’s or instructor’s last name, the course and date in the right upper corner. Of course,  double-space after each line is important.

Your teacher or instructor may not require the title page, but if there is one, follow the rules of MLA style essay format.

The structure of MLA essay

The introductory paragraph, or the introduction, should set the context for the rest of the paper. Tell your readers why you’ve chosen this topic and why it is significant.  The thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction. Your thesis is a position that you’re going to support and develop through the entire paper.

Body paragraphs have the following four elements.

1. A transition;
2. A topic sentence;
3. Evidence;
4. Brief wrap-up sentence.

The topic sentence follows the transition, and it tells readers what the paragraph is about. The direct quotes are used to support the topic sentence.

Citations and quotations

In-text citations occur after the quote but before the period. The author’s/authors’ name/names go before the page number with no comma in between.

In-text citations usually include the author’s last name and the location of the quote or information that’s being used.  When citing the same work again only the page numbers are needed.

Now, you know how to use MLA format in the essay. Follow the instruction and your paper will show your amazing writing skills.