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Created July 2009
UWF WRITING LAB
DOCUMENT FORMATING IN MLA STYLE
The following information is adopted from the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th
edition, 2009. This handout covers only the proper format and convention for annotated bibliographies
in MLA format. For other MLA style guidelines, please see appropriate handout.
Margins:
Margins should be set to one inch at the top, bottom, and both sides of the text. Indent the first word of
a paragraph one-half inch from the left margin. Indent set-off quotations (such as block quotations of
prose, poetry, and drama) one inch from the left margin.
Text formatting:
Text should be written in a clear and readable font, preferably Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Do not
justify the lines of the text at the right margin. The entire document should be double-spaced, including
quotations, notes, and the list of works cited. Take care to ensure that you are not double-spacing the
document after spaces already exist within the document, thereby increasing the spacing between
elements. Additionally, if you have one of the newest editions of MS Word or a like word processing
program, you may need to reset your default settings so that the program does not automatically add
extra spacing between paragraphs. Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation
mark.
Heading and Title:
A research paper does not need a title page, according to strict MLA guidelines; however, if your
teacher requires a title page, format it according to the instructions you are given. Instead, beginning
one inch from the top of the first page and flush with the left margin, type your name, your instructor’s
name, the course number, and the date on separate lines, double-spacing between lines. The date that is
displayed on the paper is the date that the paper is due, not the day that it is written; in addition, the
date is displayed in military style with no commas: 15 July 2009. Double-space again and center the
title. Double-space also between the lines of the title, and double-space between the title and the first
line of the text. Do not italicize or underline your title; do not put it in quotation marks or boldface; and
do not type it in capital letters. Follow the standard rules for capitalization in titles and for italicization.
Do not use a period after your title or after any heading in the paper, including the Works Cited page.
EXAMPLE: The top of the first page of a research paper.
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Created July 2009
EXAMPLE: The running head of a research paper.
Page Numbers: Number all pages consecutively throughout the research paper in the upper right-hand
corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Type your last name before the page
number. Inserting this information into the header and using the automatic page numbering feature of
your word processing program will save you the time and effort of numbering every page manually.
Do not use abbreviations, periods, hyphens, or any other mark or symbol.
Works Cited Page Formatting:
The list of works cited appears at the end of the paper. Begin the list on a new page and number each
page, continuing the page numbers of the text. For example, if the text of your research paper ends on
page 10, the works-cited list begins on page 11. The page number appears in the upper right-hand
corner, half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin (see fig. 12). Center the title, Works
Cited, an inch from the top of the page. Double-space between the title and the first entry. Begin each
entry flush with the left margin; if an entry runs more than one line, indent the subsequent line or lines
one-half inch from the left margin. This format is sometimes called hanging indention, and you can set
your word processor to create it automatically for a group of paragraphs. Hanging indention makes
alphabetical lists easier to use. Double-space the entire list, both between and within entries. Continue
the list on as many pages as necessary.