If my instructor asks for a cover page, can I leave the heading off the first page of my essay?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.

Yes, you can leave the heading (your name, instructor’s name, the course name, and the date) off the first page of your essay if you have a cover page. However, be sure to check with your instructor about his or her preferences.