How do I cite a quotation I include in a title or heading?
Quoted material must be attributed wherever it occurs. In your prose, this generally means including an in-text citation or endnote in due proximity to the… Read More
Posts related to formatting a paper
Parallel Headings in Research Papers
Discusses techniques for making headings in research papers parallel Read More
When is it OK to use landscape page orientation?
Research papers and manuscripts are generally composed in portrait rather than landscape orientation—that is, vertically rather than horizontally. This is the default setting for most… Read More
How do I adapt MLA running heads in my paper?
We appreciate hearing from readers with suggestions for adapting MLA style to specific cases. Here, one reader finds a way to clarify a potentially ambiguous… Read More
Rivers and Ladders and Bad Breaks, Oh My!
Checking page proofs involves identifying problems introduced in the typesetting process Read More
If a parenthetical reference does not fit on the final line of a block quotation, where do you place it?
If a parenthetical reference does not fit on the final line of a block quotation, place it at the start of the next line. Read More
How do I format a Q and A in MLA style?
Practices for formatting a Q and A vary. The Style Center includes some examples of the MLA’s practice. See, for instance, our posts on digital literacy… Read More
Should the month be spelled out in the header of a student paper?
Months in the header on the first page of a student paper may be spelled out or abbreviated. Students should ask their instructor for the… Read More
Can a title include a note number or symbol?
In our books, we follow our colleagues at The Chicago Manual of Style for note numbers and symbols in titles: “In books, a note number should… Read More
Do the MLA’s paper-formatting guidelines apply to papers that students write by hand?
The MLA does not offer specific guidelines for handwritten papers, so instructors should adapt guidelines for typed papers as they see fit. Read More