How should I format math equations in my paper?
For guidance on formatting mathematical expressions, we defer to our colleagues at The Chicago Manual of Style (“Mathematics”). For guidance on citing mathematical theories, see our… Read More
Posts related to formatting a paper
What is the difference between source lists titled “Works Cited,” “Bibliography,” and “References”?
As the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook explains, “the list titled ‘Works Cited’ identifies the sources you borrow from—and therefore cite—in the body of… Read More
How does the MLA handle orphaned words and widowed lines?
In our publications, we prefer to avoid an orphan—a word alone on a line or at the end of a paragraph—if the word, including any… Read More
How do I format a recommended reading list in MLA style?
Format a list of recommended works just as you would a list of works cited. Give the list a header that indicates its purpose (e.g.,… Read More
If I paraphrase information from a source and then refer to that information again later in my paper, do I need to credit the source again?
If you paraphrase information from a source and cite that source appropriately, you do not need to cite subsequent references to that information. For example,… Read More
How do I show the blank space between stanzas when quoting from a poem?
Use a single line space to separate stanzas of poetry, as in this excerpt from Felicia Hemans’s “The Image in Lava”: Thou thing of years… Read More
What is the advantage of MLA-style date format over the format recommended by the International Standards Organization (ISO)?
The International Standards Organization recommends writing dates with numerals in year-month-day format (e.g., 2018-10-24) because it is useful when people need to convey information across… Read More
If my college requires that I include a table of contents in my paper, where should I place it?
A table of contents is generally used for longer projects such as theses or dissertations, but if you are required to include a table of… Read More
How do I format an appendix and style its heads?
There are many possible ways to format an appendix. A rule of thumb is to let the content guide the choice of format. Types of… Read More
How to Format Your Essay with Advanced Pattern Matching
Mistakes in formatting can be complicated to resolve, but you can customize solutions . . . Read More