mla essay section headings

MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Formatting Your MLA Paper

Works Cited entries: What to Include
Title of source
Title of container
Contributors
Publication date
Supplemental Elements
Book with Personal Author(s)
Book with Organization as Author
Book with Editor(s)
Parts of Books
Government Publication
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Multivolume Works
Newspaper Article
Other Formats
Websites, Social Media, and Email
About In-text Citations
In-text Examples
How to Paraphrase and Quote
Citing Poetry
Formatting Your MLA Paper
Formatting Your Works Cited List
MLA Annotated Bibliography
MLA 9th Edition Quick Guide
Submit Your Paper for MLA Style Review

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).

Line Spacing & Margins

Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.

Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.

Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.

Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.

Heading and Title

An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:

Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Center the title on the next line. Follow the rules for capitalization. Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title. An exception is when your title includes a title. Example: The Attitude toward Violence in A Clockwork Orange

Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Include your last name and page numbers in the upper right-hand corner of every page. The page numbers will be one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. If your instructor prefers no page number on the first page, begin numbering from 2 on the second page.

Sample Papers from MLA

There are sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.

Styling Headings and Subheadings

According to the MLA Style Center website, writers should avoid using headings in shorter papers. If you are writing a longer research paper, you may want to include headings and subheadings to help organize the sections of your paper. Advice from the MLA Style Center :

"Levels

The paper or chapter title is the first level of heading, and it must be the most prominent.

Headings should be styled in descending order of prominence. After the first level, the other headings are subheadings—that is, they are subordinate. Font styling and size are used to signal prominence. In general, a boldface, larger font indicates prominence; a smaller font, italics, and lack of bold can be used to signal subordination. For readability, don’t go overboard: avoid using all capital letters for headings (in some cases, small capitals may be acceptable):

Heading Level 1

Heading Level 2

Heading Level 3

Note that word-processing software often has built-in heading styles.

Consistency

Consistency in the styling of headings and subheadings is key to signaling to readers the structure of a research project. That is, each level 1 heading should appear in the same style and size, as should each level 2 heading, and so on. Generally, avoid numbers and letters to designate heads unless you are working in a discipline where doing so is conventional. Note that a heading labeled “1” requires a subsequent heading labeled “2,” and a heading labeled “a” requires a subsequent heading labeled “b.”

In a project that is not professionally designed and published, headings should be flush with the left margin, to avoid confusion with block quotations. (The exception is the paper or chapter title, which is centered in MLA style.)

For readability, it is helpful to include a line space above and below a heading, as shown in this post.

No internal heading level should have only one instance. For example, if you have one level 1 heading, you need to have a second level 1 heading. (The exceptions are the paper or chapter title and the headings for notes and the list of works cited.) You should also generally have text under each heading.

Capitalization

Capitalize headings like the titles of works, as explained in section 1.2 of the MLA Handbook.

The shorter, the better."

Modern Language Association. "How Do I Style Headings and Subheadings in a Research Paper?" MLA Style Center., 13 December 2018, style.mla.org/styling-headings-and-subheadings .

MLA Style Paper Template

MLA 9th Edition Paper Template This template was created and saved as a Word template for Microsoft Word 2016. The process for saving and using the template is the same for the instructions given above for 2013.

You can save a personal template in Microsoft Word (IRSC students, download Office for free, see a librarian if you need help). Above is a template you can use every time you need to set-up a research paper using MLA style format. Simply open the template and type your own information every time you need to write an MLA style paper. Microsoft Word will allow you to save personal templates. Once you have the template opened in Word

Click "Save as"

Give the file a name

Under "Save as type", select Word Template

Then when you open Word, you will be able to choose a template rather than a blank document. You might have to select Personal to find your template.

Sample MLA Paper

How to Use the MLA Style Template

Formatting Group Project Papers

For a research paper written collaboratively by several students, such as for a group project, create a title page instead of listing all authors in the header on page 1 of the essay. On the title page, list each student's full name, placing one name on each double-spaced line. After the final student name, enter the professor's name. After the professor's name, give the course name. The last line of the heading will be the date in 5 August 2021 format. Press Enter a few times to move down the page then give the paper title, centered.

MLA 9th Group Research Project Title Page Example

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Last Updated: Jul 22, 2024 4:57 PM
URL: https://irsc.libguides.com/mla

How to setup your software
Sample MLA Paper – normal paper
Sample MLA Paper – has cover page
Sample APA Paper
Sample Chicago Paper
Sample CSE Paper
APA Format Guidelines

MLA Format Heading

This page contains guidelines on how to properly format the headings of your research paper using the MLA format.

1. The Opening Page:

On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper’s title. The whole heading would include the following information:

Your Instructor’s Name
Your Class Information
Your Paper’s Due Date
Font: choose an easy to read font such as Times New Roman.
Font Size: set the font size to be twelve (12) throughout your research paper, including your paper’s title. Never set the font site larger than 12.
Margins: 1-inch for top/bottom/right/left throughout your paper.
Double-space: double-space throughout your paper. Don’t add extra spaces (besides double-space) between your headings, your title and your paragraphs.

Sample of the Opening Page:

A sample of the first page of your paper.

2. The Inner Pages:

For the pages that follow the first page, set the heading like this: instead of the whole heading, you would use the header feature on your word processing program and including the following information: Your Last Name and the Page Number.

Sample of the Inner Page:

Example of the heading for inner pages.

3. The Works Cited Page:

Every research paper must include a works cited page.

The works cited list is placed at the end of your paper, on a new page.
The heading for your works cited pages should be the same as the heading for your inner pages, which include your name and the page number at the top.
Enter the title as “ Works Cited ” and place this title 1-inch from the top of the page, see more details in the example illustration picture below.

Sample of the Works Cited Page:

Example of the works cited page.

– MLA Handbook, 8th edition

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I have to write a paper for an application and they want it to be in MLA format. I don’t know how to do the heading because it’s not going to one teacher in particular and it is not for one class.

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Hey Shannon. You might try “To Whom it may concern” or something like that. Don’t trust me on this because I am not for sure on that and if you did do this you might get it wrong and whoever might not accept your application. I hope you figure out how to do it and do great on that application! 😀 – Christopher

Formatting MLA Headings & Subheadings Guide

Using random capitalization for your MLA style assignment can land you in hot water. To ace the format and structure and improve overall readability of your paper, read on! We’ve prepared a thorough MLA headings guideline and even included tips on how to format MLA in Google Docs and Microsoft Word!

Table of Contents

What Are MLA Headings?

Unlike APA , Modern Language Association (MLA) papers typically do not have a title or cover page. But since identification is necessary (unless you don’t want your instructor to know it’s your paper), you will need to use an MLA heading.

This MLA element appears on the first page of your paper, showing your name, instructor’s name, course name, and submission date.

Note: MLA headings and MLA headers are different. MLA headings appear on the first page of your paper, while MLA headers are on every top right corner of a page.

What Are the 4 Parts of an MLA Heading?

MLA heading is divided into different parts. They follow the standard MLA formatting style – 12-point readable font , double-spaced and 1-inch margins. They should also be left aligned.

The first part of an MLA heading is your full name. As mentioned above, only use a 12-point readable font like Times New Roman. There’s no need to put your surname first. Input your name like you usually would on any paper.

Your Instructor’s Name

MLA headings wouldn’t be complete without including your instructor’s name. Press enter on your keyboard and enter your professor’s name. For example, Professor Porter.

Tip: If your instructor’s name is too close to the first MLA heading, you did not set your paper to double space.

Course Title

The third element of an MLA heading is the course title or name—for example, Humanities 101 or English 101.

Submission Date

Lastly, you will need to add the submission date. You should write in order of day, month, and year—for example, 14 March 2023 or 21 December 2023. There’s no need to add a comma or other punctuation.

MLA Heading Example

If you combine all the mentioned elements of an MLA heading, you should be able to get something like this for your essay or research paper:

What Are the Different MLA Level Subheadings?

photo showing the MLA subheading levels' format

Unlike MLA headings, subheadings give structure based on the order of prominence, making it easier for readers to digest the information you’ve presented. There are five level headings:

Tip: If you are unsure of MLA capitalization for the subheaders, this MLA tool can save you the confusion.

These subheadings highlight the main topic or theme of your paper. You should write them in boldface and left-aligned. Also, ensure to format them using the same font size and avoid underlining or writing in italics.

Literacy development

Level 2 subheadings are also known as subtopics. When writing, you should align them to the left and italicize them. These subheadings help in subdividing sections into smaller parts.

Factors affecting literacy development

When using level 3 subheadings, bolden and place them at the center of the page. You should use them only after a level 2 subheading if you need to subdivide content within that section. It is vital to include a brief description that summarizes the following content.

Language and vocabulary

These subheadings should be in italics and centered. You should only use them when further breaking down information within a level 3 subheading.

Vocabulary Comprehension

When using level 5 subheadings, ensure to underline them and make sure they are flush with the left margin.

Improving vocabulary

MLA Heading Format Requirements

Now that we’ve covered both MLA headings and subheadings, here are MLA format requirements you should always follow:

Paper to Use

If your instructor requires a physical copy, use high-quality and plain white paper. You only need to use a cardstock if your professor asks for it. For the size, you should use 8-½-by-11-inch paper.

While writing a paper using MLA format, any readable font type is acceptable. Even so, the common font styles include Times New Roman and Arial.

You should use a 12-point font size when writing your paper in MLA format, which is the archetypal size many processing programs apply. Other standard sizes are 11 and 11.5-point, but you should only use them as per your instructor’s request.

The ideal spacing in MLA format is double space , which you should include in the heading, body paragraphs, and reference page.

You should use 1-inch margins throughout the paper.

Indentation

You should begin every first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin.

Tip: Instead of pressing the space bar several times, hit the “Tab” key.

Page number

The page number should appear at the upper right corner or flush with the right margin of every page and half an inch from the top.

MLA Headings FAQ

How do you list multiple authors in mla heading.

Create a different title page and type each author on separate lines. After this, insert the rest of the information, including the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date of submitting the paper. Type the paper title mid-page at the center of the page, and continue with your paper’s content on the next page.

Do You Need An MLA Heading On Every Page?

No, you don’t. An MLA Heading should only appear on the first page of your paper. You might confuse an MLA Heading with an MLA running head. However, the running head should appear on every page before the page number.

How Do You Create An MLA Running Header in Google Docs and Word?

To create an MLA running header in Google Docs or Word, follow these steps:

Google Docs

Click the Insert tab
Click Headers & Footers. Choose header
Click right align in the toolbar
Click Insert again and select Page numbers.
From the dropdown, select the first option.
Enter your name and the page number.
From the toolbar, click the right aligned.
Select the header and set it to the correct MLA font size and style.

Microsoft Word

Click the “Insert” tab
Click on Page Number. Then, select Top of Page>Plain number 3 (or the right-aligned option)
Click the header and type your last name and the page number.
Select your surname and page number and set the correct font style and size.

Is “Their” Capitalized in a Title?

Is “Its” Capitalized in a Title?

Is “Not” Capitalized in a Title?

Capitalize My Title's is from capitalized featured image.

Is “From” Capitalized in a Title?

Is are capitalized featured image from Capitalize My Title.

Is “Are” Capitalized in a Title?

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Is “On” Capitalized in a Title?

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Knowledge Base
Creating an MLA header

Creating an MLA Header | What to Include & How to Format It

Published on August 22, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on March 5, 2024.

The first page of your MLA format paper starts with a four-line left-aligned header containing:

Your full name
Your instructor’s name
The course name and number
The date of submission

After the header, the title of the paper is centred on a new line, in title case. The header and title do not take any special styling, and should be the same font and size as the rest of the paper.

MLA style does not require a separate title page , but one may be included if your instructor requires it or if the paper is a group project. Usually, though, the main body of your paper just starts on the same page, directly under the title.

Include your name and the page number right-aligned in the running head on every page.

MLA header template (Word) MLA header template (Google Docs)

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Mla header format, mla running head, frequently asked questions about mla format.

The MLA header follows the same format as the rest of an MLA paper:

1-inch margins
Double-spaced
Left-aligned
12 point standard font (e.g. Times New Roman)

Put each piece of information on a separate line, and don’t use periods or other punctuation at the end of each line. The header and title should be in plain text, without any styling.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

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See an example

On each page of your paper, include a right-aligned running head with your last name and the page number. Don’t use any punctuation or styling.

Most word processing programs will allow you to automatically add page numbers. In Microsoft Word, you can do this by selecting the “Insert” menu and clicking on “Page Number”.

Make sure the running head is in the same font as the rest of your paper.

Creating an MLA running head in Word

If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .

On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

Your instructor requires one, or
Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
Set 1 inch page margins
Apply double line spacing
Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
Center the paper’s title
Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
Use title case capitalization for headings
Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2024, March 05). Creating an MLA Header | What to Include & How to Format It. Scribbr. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/header/

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MLA Format: The Ultimate Guide to Correctly Formatting Your Paper

By Hannah Yang

the ultimate guide to MLA headings cover

So you need to create an MLA heading? You’re not alone—MLA format is one of the most common styles you’ll be expected to use when you’re writing a humanities paper, whether you’re a high-school student or a PhD candidate.

Read on to learn what a correct MLA heading looks like and how to create one that works like magic.

What Is an MLA Heading?

How do you format an mla heading, what is an mla header, how do you format an mla header, headings are only the beginning, commonly asked questions about mla headers, final thoughts.

The term “MLA heading” refers to five lines of important information that appear at the top of the first page.

Here are two examples of what an MLA heading could look like:

Hermione Granger

Professor McGonagall

Transfiguration—6th period

18 October 1991

“How to Turn A Matchstick into a Needle”

Harry J. Potter

Prof. Remus Lupin

Defense Against the Dark Arts

4 March 1994

“Why I Think My Professor Is a Werewolf”

Why are these headings important? Well, your teacher probably collects hundreds of papers every year. If any identifying information is missing from these assignments, grading and organizing them becomes much more of a challenge.

MLA headings ensure that all key information is presented upfront. With just a glance at the first page, your teacher can easily figure out who wrote this paper, when it was submitted, and which class it was written for.

essay heading tip: save your heading as a template

What Are the Parts of an MLA Heading?

An MLA heading should include:

Your instructor’s name
The name of the class
The date the assignment is due
The title of your paper

Your instructor may give you specific guidelines about how much detail to include in each line. For example, some teachers may ask you to refer to them by their titles, while others may ask you to use their full names. If you haven’t been given any specific instructions, don’t sweat it—any option is fine as long as it’s clear and consistent.

Follow these formatting rules for your MLA heading:

Start each piece of information on a separate line
Don’t use any periods, commas, or other punctuation at the end of the line
Keep the heading double-spaced, in the same font as the rest of your paper
Left-align the first four lines (they should start at the 1-inch margin on the left side of your paper)
Center the title (it should appear in the middle of your paper)
Make sure your title is in title case

Title case means that major words should be capitalized and minor words should be lowercase. Major words include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and any word longer than four letters. Minor words include conjunctions, prepositions, and articles.

Tip: Remember that Hermione’s “Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare” shortens to S.P.E.W., not S.F.T.P.O.E.W—only the major words are capitalized!

graphic of the SPEW acronym highlighting major words

The MLA heading should only appear on the first page of your paper . But wait, you’re not done yet! In the rest of your paper, you need to include something called an MLA header at the top right corner of every page.

Think of the MLA header as a short, simple “You are here” marker that shows the reader where they are in the paper. By looking at the MLA headers, your instructor can easily understand where each page goes and which paper it belongs to.

What Are the Parts of an MLA Header?

The MLA header consists of your last name and page number.

For example, the second page of Hermione Granger’s essays would be labeled “Granger 2”, the third would be labeled “Granger 3”, and so on.

Creating MLA Headers in Microsoft Word

If you’re writing your paper in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

Click Insert
Scroll down to Page Numbers and click on it
Set the position to “Top of Page (Header)”
Set the alignment to “Right”
Make sure there’s no checkmark in the box for “Show number on first page”
Click on the page number and type your last name before the number
Set your font and font size to match the rest of your paper, if they don’t already

Creating MLA Headers in Google Docs

If you’re writing your paper in Google Docs, follow these steps:

Scroll down to Page Numbers and hover over it
Choose the option that sets your page number in the upper right corner
Set your font and type size to match the rest of your paper, if they don’t already

Tip: After you create your first MLA header, save a template document for yourself that you can re-use next time, so you don’t have to follow these steps every time you write a paper!

Once you've got your headings sorted, it's time to start writing your paper. While we can't help you edit the content of your essay , ProWritingAid is here to make sure your grammar, spelling, and style is on point.

As well as checking your grammar, ProWritingAid also shows you your progress towards key goals like varied sentence structure, active voice, readability, and more. The target scores are all based on averages for real essays, so you'll always know if you're on track.

screenshot of essay writing goals in prowritingaid software

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Whose last name should you use in your MLA header if you’re writing a group paper?

The MLA Style Guide has no specific guidelines for group projects. You should always include the names of all members of the group project in the first line of your heading, but you don’t necessarily need to do this for the header on every page.

If there are only two or three authors collaborating on your paper, you can include all of your last names in the MLA header, e.g., “Granger, Potter, and Weasley 2.”

If you’re part of a bigger group and it would take up too much space to include all of your last names, you can write the name that comes first in the alphabet and then add “ et al. ”, e.g., “Granger et al. 2.” (The term “et al.” is short for the Latin term “et alia”, which means “and others.” You’ll often see it used in academic papers with multiple authors.)

example of a heading for a larger group project

Should you include your class period in your MLA heading or just the class name?

There’s no MLA rule about this, but when in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of including too much information in your heading rather than not enough.

If your instructor teaches more than one version of the same course, they’ll probably find it helpful if you specify the class period you’re in. You can either include your class period after the class name, e.g., “History of Magic—2nd period”, or before the class name, e.g., “2nd Period History of Magic.”

What should you write in your MLA heading if you don’t have an instructor?

If you have no instructor, you can explain the situation in the line where you would normally put the instructor’s name, e.g., “Independent Study” or “No Instructor.”

What should you write in your MLA heading if you have multiple instructors?

If you have multiple instructors, you can include both of their names in the line where you would put the instructor’s name. If you’re in a college course where you have a professor and a TA, you should choose whose name to include in the header depending on who will ultimately be reading your paper.

Should you include the date you started writing the paper or the date the paper is due?

The MLA Style Guide has no specific guidelines about which date you need to put in the heading. In general, however, the best practice is to put the date the assignment is due.

This is because all the papers for the same assignment will have the same due date, even if different students begin writing their assignments on different days, so it’s easier for your instructor to use the due date to determine what assignment the paper is for.

Should you format the date as Day Month Year or Month Day Year?

In MLA format, you should write the date in the order of Day Month Year. Instead of writing May 31 2021, for example, you would write 31 May 2021.

What font should you use for your MLA heading and header?

Both the heading and the header should be in the same font as the rest of your paper. If you haven’t chosen a font for your paper yet, remember that the key thing to aim for is readability. If you choose a font where your teachers have to squint to read it, or one where your teachers can’t figure out the difference between what’s italicized and what isn’t, you should rethink your choice.

When in doubt, go with Times New Roman, 12 pt. It’s always a safe bet for MLA papers unless your instructor specifically tells you otherwise.

font comparison to show easier and more difficult-to-read fonts

Do you need to italicize or bold the title of your MLA paper?

No. There’s no need to use any special styling on the title of an MLA paper, such as bold or italics.

How do you format section titles in your MLA paper?

If you’re writing a paper with multiple sections, you may need to include a subtitle at the top of each section.

The MLA Style Guide gives you two options for using subtitles in a paper: one-level section titles or several-level subtitles (for papers with subsections within each section).

For one-level section titles, the formatting is simple. Every subtitle should look the same as the title (centered and double-spaced, with no special formatting).

The only difference is that instead of using title case, you should capitalize only the first word of each subtitle. For example, a title would be spelled “How to Turn a Matchstick into a Needle”, while a subtitle would be spelled “How to turn a matchstick into a needle.”

For several-level subtitles, you will need to format each level in a different way to show which level each section is at. You can use boldface, italics, and underlining to differentiate between levels. For example, subtitles at the highest level should be bolded, while subtitles at the next level down should be italicized.

See the chart below for MLA’s suggested formats.

three different formats to denote different subtitle levels

What is the difference between MLA format and APA format?

MLA and APA are two sets of guidelines for formatting papers and citing research.

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association. The MLA handbook is most often used in fields related to the humanities, such as literature, history, and philosophy.

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. The APA format is most often used in fields related to the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and nursing.

The APA manual includes a heading format similar to the MLA heading format with a few key differences, such as using a separate cover page instead of simply including the heading at the top of the first page. Both heading formats ensure that all of your papers include all your key identifying information in a clear and consistent way.

consult the MLA handbook if you're unsure

Where can you learn more about MLA style?

If you have questions about how to format a specific assignment or paper, it’s always best to consult your instructor first. Your school may also have a writing center that can help you with formatting questions.

In addition, Purdue has fantastic resources for all kinds of formatting topics, from MLA headings to MLA citations and everything in between.

If you would like to find out more directly from the Modern Language Association, consult the MLA Style Center or the MLA Handbook (8th edition).

Now you’re ready to write an MLA paper with a fantastic heading. Make sure your essay does your heading justice by checking it over with ProWritingAid.

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The MLA Style Center

What is mla style.

Building confidence in the information and ideas we share with one another is perhaps more important today than ever before, and for nearly a century it has been the driving principle behind MLA style, a set of standards for writing and documentation used by writers to find and evaluate information, alert their audience to the trustworthiness of their findings through citation, and shape the expression of their ideas in conversation with others.

Resources for MLA Style

Our new, subscription-based digital platform, MLA Handbook Plus is

Trusted : The only authorized subscription-based digital resource featuring the latest edition of the MLA Handbook is available for unlimited simultaneous users.
Evolving : Get the same content as the print edition, plus seamless annual updates and forthcoming additional resources such as videos and companion titles.
Dynamic : Features an easy-to-search interface, cross-linking of related material, and a split view that lets students see illustrations while reading corresponding content.
Flexible : Whether on campus, at home, or in a coffee shop, students can access the platform from anywhere—perfect for remote or hybrid learning environments.
Affordable : Tiered pricing model based on full-time undergraduate enrollments in US higher education institutions (with custom pricing options for secondary schools, consortia, international schools, campus systems, and other organizations).
Accessible : Meets current accessibility standards—ensuring that learning MLA style is available to all.

Watch a video about MLA Handbook Plus or contact [email protected] for more info.

MLA Handbook , 9th Edition

The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook , published in spring 2021, builds on the MLA's unique approach to documenting sources using a template of core elements—facts common to most sources, like author, title, and publication date—that allows writers to cite any type of work, from books, e-books, and journal articles in databases to song lyrics, online images, social media posts, dissertations, and more. With this focus on source evaluation as the cornerstone of citation, MLA style promotes the skills of information and digital literacy so crucial today. The new edition offers

New chapters on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, numbers, italics, abbreviations, and principles of inclusive language
Guidelines on setting up research papers in MLA format with updated advice on headings, lists, and title pages for group projects
Revised, comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for creating a list of works cited in MLA format that are easier to learn and use than ever before
A new appendix with hundreds of example works-cited-list entries by publication format, including websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more
Detailed examples of how to find publication information for a variety of sources
Newly revised explanations of in-text citations, including comprehensive advice on how to cite multiple authors of a single work
Detailed guidance on using notes in MLA style
Instructions on quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and avoiding plagiarism
Annotated bibliography examples
Numbered sections throughout for quick navigation
Advanced tips for professional writers and scholars

The MLA Style Center offers free online resources on MLA style, including an interactive MLA format template, answers to common questions on Ask the MLA, advice from the MLA editors, and more. Get updates by signing up for The Source newsletter, and follow us on X @MLAstyle .

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MLA Format Headings

This page contains general guidelines on how to properly format the headings on your research paper using the MLA format.

If your instructor requires you to make a cover page, please follow instructions here .

1. The Opening Page:

On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper’s title. The whole heading would include the following information:

Your Instructor’s Name
Your Class Information
Your Paper’s Due Date
Font: choose an easy to read font such as Times New Roman.
Font Size: set the font size to be twelve (12) throughout your research paper, including your paper’s title. Never set the font site larger than 12.
Margins: 1-inch for top/bottom/right/left throughout your paper.
Double-space: double-space throughout your paper. Don’t add extra spaces (besides double-space) between your headings, your title and your paragraphs.

Sample of the opening page:

A sample of the first page of your paper.

2. The Inner Pages:

For the pages that follow the first page, set the heading like this: instead of the whole heading, you would use the header feature on your word-processing program and including the following information: Your Name and Page Number.

Inner Page Example:

Example of the heading for inner pages.

3. The Works Cited Page:

Every research paper must include a works cited page.

The works cited list is placed at the end of your paper, on a new page.
The heading for your works cited pages should be the same as the heading for your inner pages, which include your name and the page number at the top.
Enter the title as “ Works Cited ” and place this title 1-inch from the top of the page, see more details in the example illustration picture below.

Example of the Works Cited page:

Example of the Works Cited page.

– MLA Handbook, 8th edition

what is mla title page

I didn’t know of this either, but basically is is a cover page for different assignments. Where it presents the title, date, author, ect.

Thank you so much for putting this together! It’s a real life-saver!

This is really a use site, it help me a lot to learn the MLA format. thans to the person who created this site.

they are help alot

Very helpful!

how should i do sub-headings????

How do I cite an internet reference in MLA?

MLA Style Guide – 9th Edition

Click here to download a .pdf copy of our MLA Style Guide !

Last updated : October 7, 2023

Consider keeping a printed copy to have when writing and revising your resume! If you have any additional questions, make an appointment or email us at [email protected] !

Source Attribution : Information in this handout is adapted from the Modern Language Association Handbook, Ninth Edition (2021).

Reference Entry : Adapted from Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook. 9th ed . The Modern Language Association of America, 2021.

MLA Style Guide - 9th Edition

Basics of formatting with mla style.

The Modern Language Association style, commonly referred to as MLA style, is a system of documentation generally used in the humanities, such as language arts and history. MLA documentation requires in-text citations for brief references to sources used in the body of the text and a works cited page featuring full citation information for all of your sources. In this style, writers create citations by listing all the core elements of a source.

Margins are 1 inch on all sides of the page.

Standard font is 12-point Times New Roman. For other fonts, MLA recommends a font that when the word is italicized the difference is clear. Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.

Paragraph and line spacing:

Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 in. Text is double-spaced. No extra spaces before or after headings or between paragraphs.

First page:

In the upper left hand corner of the first page, write your name, professor’s title and last name, the course title and number, and then the date (Day Month Year) on separate lines. On a new line, create a title (in Title Case) centered on the page. List your last name and page number in the top right corner of every page.

Section headings:

Section headings are used to divide major sections of a paper. MLA does not require specific formatting for section headings. The general rule is to maintain consistency in the use of bold, italics, and alignment when creating levels. Topics of equal importance share the same level heading throughout the document.

In-text citations are used to credit the work of others and refer readers to the source on your Works Cited page. Parenthetical citations include the author’s last name and page numbers. Enclose citations in parentheses and follow by a period.

Works Cited:

Begin a new page. Title as “Works Cited” centered on the top of the page. List all sources used alphabetically.

Sample First Page

MLA title page begins on the first page of the paper with the paper text beginning after the title. The following example depicts a common MLA title page and a description of the elements within.

Header : The header lists your last name and the page number. Align to the right.
Author : List your first and last name. If there are multiple contributors, provide each of the names a separate line then continue with the rest of the requirements discussed here.
Professor : Include your instructor’s name. It’s most universally accepted to put professor before their last name, unless otherwise requested (for example, a professor may request to be called Dr. Harmon).
Class : List the course and course number. It’s most universally accepted to put the full subject name over the abbreviation (for example, English 101 instead of ENGL 101).
Date : Format the date as Month Day Year. List the assignment due date, not when the document was originally created or last updated.
Title : Hit enter and create a space between the header and the first line of the text. Make sure it’s in the center of the page. Do not underline, italicize, or add quotations around the title except if referring to other works within the title.

MLA In-Text Citations

Citing in the text.

In MLA, every time you use the work or thoughts of another, you need to cite the original author. The use of others’ work or thoughts includes summary, paraphrase, and direct quotations. To cite the source, you will need an in-text citation, which typically consists of the author’s last name and the page number where the material comes from. In-text citations are enclosed in parentheses and followed by a period.

Single Author

If introducing the author in the text, use their first name and last name the first time it is used and then use only the surname thereafter. If introducing the author in the parenthetical citation, list only the author’s last name followed by the page number.

Single Author Example

The text portrays the mindset of millennials through lines like this: “[Alice thinks] of the twentieth century as one long question, and in the end we got the answer wrong” (Rooney 101).

Two Authors

If a source has two authors, list the authors’ names in the parenthetical citation or in the text and connect them with an ‘and’:

Two Authors Example

The first time the character Viktor is introduced, he’s described as “[…]the lowliest of the lot” (Charaipotra and Clayton 18).

Three or More Authors

List the first author’s last name followed by the abbreviation “et al.” (and others)

Three or More Authors Example

Heat is a significant symbol in the book Blackout. The very first page discussed how “tensions matching the temperature make people do stupid things in a city full of millions” (Clayton et al. 1).

Organization or Group Author

If no author is listed and/or the source is published by an organization or group, list the group’s full name in the text or citation (with the page number), followed by the abbreviation if well known. Use the acronym for every subsequent citation. If no known acronym is given, shorten the organization name to the shortest noun phrase within the parenthetical citation.

Organization or Group Author Example

According to The Modern Language Association (MLA), “whenever you use the title of a source in your writing, take the title from an authoritative location in the work” (53).

Narrative Citation

If you introduce the author before quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing, then only the page number is included in the in-text citation:

Narrative Citation Example

According to music critic Mark Prindle, Minneapolis rock combo The Cows are an acquired taste (259).

Unknown Author

If the author’s name is unknown, and there is no group author, include a shortened version of the publication title in quotations if it’s a short work or italics if it’s a longer work. Include a page number if it’s available.

Unknown Author Example

When thinking about what kind of photography to use, it’s important to consider that, “[d]igital photography is more eco-friendly than traditional photography” (Eco-tography 119).

Block Quotations

When using a direct quotation that runs four or more lines long, the quotation is introduced by a colon, set off from the main text, and indented an extra half inch from the left margin. Do not indent the first line, add quotation marks not present in the original, or adjust the line spacing. Include the parenthetical citation after the final period or punctuation mark of the block quote.

Block Quotations Example

Fitzgerald movingly describes how the personality traits of Gatsby:

Only in Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away. (Fitzgerald 6)

Omissions or Alterations to Quotations

Place an ellipsis (…) where parts of a quote were omitted in the middle of the sentence (e.g. “Grammar… is the study of writing techniques”). Ellipses are not necessary to indicate the first part of a phrase was omitted. Put brackets [text] around necessary alterations made to quotations for clarity, as in “[They] said…”

Common Knowledge

Facts or information that you already know, is widely available, and undisputed is considered common knowledge, which does not require an in-text citation. Common knowledge includes biographical information, dates of historical events, and other information that reasonable readers would accept as fact.

Common Knowledge Example

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States.

More Information for In-Text Citations

Primary and secondary sources:.

If you quote an author’s quotation of another author’s work, put the phrase “qtd. in” (short for “quoted in”) in the parenthetical citation, followed by the secondary source (e.g. qtd. in Jacobson). The abbreviation isn’t necessary if it’s made clear in prose it’s an indirect quote. Always try to find the direct source if you can!

Timed media:

For timed media such as videos or songs, cite the time in parentheses (e.g. Eilish 2:57-3:15).

Multiple sources:

In-text citations with multiple sources are separated by a semicolon. The order should correspond with the order of the research (e.g. Offerman, 52; Yong, 33). However, if delineating the specific attribution is needed, avoid combining the citations and instead separate each source into its own sentence.

Multiple works by one author:

Include the title of the work within the in-text citation (with a comma before it) or in prose (e.g. Tolkien, The Hobbit 237).

Consecutive use of one or more sources:

When referencing one source multiple times consecutively, you can avoid multiple parenthetical citations by first introducing the source. Refer to the author in text using the known-new contract, adding page numbers for quotes where needed.

Personal communication:

If citing a personal communication such as an email, interview, or telephone conversation, include the name of the person, the date, and the type of communication. If citing a lecture, include the subject of the lecture. Where possible, include the author’s name in a narrative citation to avoid the long parenthetical entry.

Works Cited Entries

Writing bibliography entries.

Disclaimer : Our WordPress does not allow for “hanging indents,” therefore the following bibliography entries are not formatted with hanging indents. Check out the .pdf guide for a more accurate view!

MLA style requires a works cited page that includes full citation information for each source. Begin by starting on another page titled “Works Cited” centered in the page. Alphabetize each entry by the last name of the first author listed. Hanging indents are an important characteristic of work cited pages. To make a hanging indent, The second and following lines are indented 1/2 inch after the first line. MLA style customizes entries for each type of source, meaning that each citation will be unique.

Webpage from a Website

Website citations follow a basic format for all types of websites. For sources without authors, list the group or organization as the author. If no group or organization is given, move the website name to the author position.

Webpage from a Website Example

Author Last Name, Author First Name. “Article Title.” Publisher , Day Month Year, URL.

Boise State University Writing Center. “Welcome to the Writing Center.” Boise State University . https://www.boisestate.edu/writingcenter/. Accessed 9 Sep. 2022.

List the author, the title, the publisher, and the year it was published. Include the editor/translator/any other type of contributor before the publisher if it can be found. The title can start the citation:

Book Example

Author Last Name, Author First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Year Published.

Pratchett, Terry. Guards! Guards! Gollancz, 1989.

Work from a Collection

The type of works in this category may include an essay in an edited collection/anthology or a chapter of a book. Here’s the basic form:

Work from a Collection Example

Last Name, First Name. “Chapter Title.” Title of Book, edited by Editor’s Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page Range.

Kinsella, Sophie. “Seven.” The Party Crasher, edited by Kara Cesare et. al., The Dial Press, 2021, pp. 95-119.

Journal Article

Journal articles, or periodicals, are print and electronic sources issued within larger journals:

Journal Article Example

Author(s). “Article Title.” Journal Title, Volume (vol. #), Issue Number (no. #), Year, Page Range (pp.). DOI if available

Hollingdale, Jack et. al. “Impact of COVID-19 for people living and working with ADHD: A brief review of the literature.” AIMS Public Health , vol. 8, no. 4, 2021, pp. 581–597. DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2021047

Newspaper Article

Newspaper and magazine articles are two other types of periodicals. Include volume, issue, and/or page number(s) if available:

Newspaper Article Example

Last name, First Name. “Article Title.” Newspaper Title, Day Month Year, pages (if print). URL (if digital)

Mitchell, Jessi. “New public health laboratory breaks ground in Harlem.” CBS NEW YORK, 06 July 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/harlem-public-health-laboratory/

YouTube Video

Including the author/creator/publisher is optional, you could just go into the title. If you bring up a name in your paper or want to emphasize a participant in the video, it would be a good idea to include it.

YouTube Video Example

Last Name, First Name. “Video Title.” Streaming Service , uploaded by Username, Day Month Year, URL

Smith, Clint. “Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Rebellion.” YouTube , uploaded by CrashCourse, 29 June 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftcvaJCKVjs

Podcast Episode

Citing a podcast differs from the typical way of citing in MLA in that the title of the episode is listed first, followed by the name of the series in italics. Make sure to include where it was published, who it’s hosted by, and that it’s the podcast edition of the recording.

Podcast Episode Example

“Episode Name” Name of series from Publisher, hosted by Host Name, Podcast Number, Day Month Year. URL

“The Mysterious Disappearance of Brittanee Drexel.” Morbid from Amazon Music , hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley, episode 203, 23 January 2021. music.amazon.com/podcasts/30381209-4d12-4c82-ba16-5bde361156c9/episodes/40756d04-f27a-4723-b036-8a3d3083f508/morbidepisode203themysteriousdisappearanceofbrittaneedrexel

More Information for Works Cited Entries

Multiple authors:.

With sources that have three or more authors, follow the first author’s name with a comma and the abbreviation ‘et al.’ (“and others”).

Online handles:

Supply the author’s handle in square brackets with the name [@handle] if the handle differs from the author’s account name.

Organization or group author:

In instances where an organization or group authored the work, spell out the full name of the group but omit initial articles (e.g. a, an, the). If the author is the publisher, skip the author element and begin the entry with the title.

In a reference entry for a work with no author, move the title of the work to the author position.

If no publication date is available, include the date you accessed the source at the end, e.g. Boise State University. https://www.boisestate.edu/writingcenter/. Accessed 9 Sep. 2022.

Publishers’ names are given in full; however, do not give words indicating business structure, like Ltd. or LLC. Terms like Press and Books should be included.

Sample MLA Works Cited Page

MLA works cited begin on a new page. “Works Cited” title is centered. On the left-hand margin are titles that explain the type of citation used in the corresponding reference entry. Each entry is formatted with a hanging indent and alphabetised.

The Writing Center

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > How To Format An MLA Heading

How To Format An MLA Heading

Putting together an essay requires knowing the anatomy of a paper. You’ll need to understand the difference between a title and a title page, a Works Cited and Bibliography, as well as headers and a heading. While the title and Works Cited are important parts of your essay, this article will focus on MLA format headings, how they differ from your headers, and what they do for your MLA essay .

A graphic of a pile of textbooks in front of a computer screen.

Sound complicated? We’ll break it all down for you.

Headings vs. headers: what’s the difference? It’s not uncommon to use the words headings and headers synonymously. You might refer to the top of your paper as your headings, then break apart the different sections of your essay with what you’re calling headers. However, headings and headers are two different components that serve entirely different purposes.

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Let’s first start with headers. The header of your essay is the area between half an inch and an inch down from the top edge of the paper. Your header will include your personal information and page numbers. You often have to use a special feature within your word processor to edit the headers.

Headings, on the other hand, are meant to break up your essay and improve readability. In fact, each section in this article is broken up using headings. This section’s heading is “Headings vs. headers: what’s the difference?” Your headings should be brief and descriptive, so the reader knows what’s coming next.

What is the correct MLA format for a heading? As with everything else, there’s a specific MLA format for headings you need to know. Headings should be center-aligned with size 12 font. Headings don’t need to be bolded, underlined, italicized, or put in quotation marks for emphasis. Writing them in title case ensures they stand out. (Note: Articles, conjunctions, prepositions, and most words with fewer than four letters shouldn’t be capitalized in title case.) Again, your headings should be brief but descriptive. Try to keep them to fewer than 12 words. In some cases, you might have only a single heading on your essay, which would be the title, simplifying phrasing and formatting.

How do I use subheadings? If your essay covers a broad topic with several subtopics, it’s a good idea to include some subheadings . Each subheading will break the essay into bite-sized pieces. They also make it easy for the reader to skim through the essay to find what they’re looking for. When using subheadings, it’s essential that you follow a few simple rules:

Use title case for subheadings.
If your subheading is at the bottom of a page, move it to the next page.
There should be at least two lines of text following a subheading.

A graphic of a pyramid with a small tree growing next to it.

With MLA format headings, your subheadings (and your subheadings’ subheadings, and so forth) will have different formats. Changing the format will help to create a hierarchy of information within the essay and make it more organized. Your subheadings fall into levels as you go through your essay. For instance, your first subheadings will be your Level 1 subheadings and will be formatted left-justified with bold typeface. If you choose to break down your Level-1 subheadings into smaller groups, the next would be your Level-2 subheadings, which will be left-justified and italicized. Level-3 subheadings will be centered with bold typeface, Level-4 subheadings will be centered and italic typeface, and your Level 5 subheadings will be left-justified and underlined. It’s not likely that you’ll need to reach Level-4 or Level-5 subheadings and beyond with most essays.

Some MLA format heading examples. Creating a catchy and descriptive heading for an essay will set the tone for the rest of the paper and keep the reader engaged . For instance, if you’re writing about a serious matter, like the state of homelessness in the U.S., you’re not looking to make your audience laugh. Don’t write a heading that’s funny or snarky. An MLA format heading example could be something as simple as “The Current State of Homelessness in the U.S.”

In contrast, an essay about something fun or light-hearted, like why elves are better at making toys than humans could have a heading like, “A Little Secret About Elves and Toy-Making.” You’re including a tease about elves making toys and making a reference to the size of Santa’s helpers. Let your heading set the tone of your essay while giving a one-sentence synopsis of the topic.

Need more help? Take advantage of the many free MLA templates and tools out there that help make essay writing a breeze.

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MLA Style Guide, 9th Edition: Formatting Your MLA Paper

Works Cited entries: What to Include
Title of source
Title of container
Other contributors
Publication date
Optional Elements
Book with Personal Author(s)
Book with Editor(s)
Book with Organization as Author
Parts of Books
Government Publication
Journal Article
Magazine Article
Multivolume Works
Newspaper Article
Other Formats
Websites, Social Media, and Email
Works Cited Practice
About In-text Citations
In-text Examples
How to Paraphrase and Quote
Formatting Your MLA Paper
Formatting Your Works Cited List
MLA Annotated Bibliography

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman font or another readable typeface (e.g. serif ).

Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.

Leave 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side.

Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch from the left margin.

Quotes longer than 4 lines should be written as a block of text a half an inch from the left margin.

Heading and Title

An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below:

Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout).

Your Instructor's Name

Course Number or Name

Indent the next line and begin typing your text.

Formatting first page MLA MS Word using a MAC

Formatting first page mla goggle.dox, formatting first page mla ms word using pc, mla format setup in word 2013.

The links below provide step by step instructions on setting up your paper using MLA Style guidelines.

Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - PC
Formatting Your Paper using MS Word - MAC

Sample MLA Paper

MLA Research Paper Template Properly formatted MLA Style research paper. Download and save to your computer so that you will always have the correct format for writing.

There are three sample papers available in the MLA Style Center. Check them out to see the correct formatting.

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Next: Formatting Your Works Cited List >>
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2022 5:10 PM
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Complete MLA Paper Format Guide
Mla Heading And Header Formats With Examples Bibliography
MLA Heading and Header Formats (With Examples)
MLA heading and MLA header
🐈 Mla section headings. MLA Heading and Header Formats (With Examples

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General Format
Section Headings. Writers sometimes use section headings to improve a document's readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay. Essays. MLA recommends that when dividing an essay into sections you number those sections with an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section ...
How do I style headings and subheadings in a research paper?
(The exceptions are the paper or chapter title and the headings for notes and the list of works cited.) You should also generally have text under each heading. Capitalization. Capitalize headings like the titles of works, as explained in section 1.5 of the MLA Handbook. Length. The shorter, the better.
How to Create MLA Format Headings and Headers
For example, this section you're reading now is under the heading "MLA heading vs. MLA header." Headings help structure a paper and break up information to make it easier to comprehend. They're also used as the titles of stand-alone pages, such as the MLA works cited page , where the MLA citation list goes.
MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Formatting Your MLA Paper
If you are writing a longer research paper, you may want to include headings and subheadings to help organize the sections of your paper. Advice from the MLA Style Center: "Levels. The paper or chapter title is the first level of heading, and it must be the most prominent. Headings should be styled in descending order of prominence.
MLA Format
Cite your MLA source. Start by applying these MLA format guidelines to your document: Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman. Set 1 inch page margins. Use double line spacing. Include a ½" indent for new paragraphs. Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page. Center the paper's title.
MLA Format Heading
This page contains guidelines on how to properly format the headings of your research paper using the MLA format. 1. The Opening Page: On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper's title. The whole heading would include the following information: Your Name Your Instructor's Name Your.
Formatting MLA Headings & Subheadings Guide
Note: MLA headings and MLA headers are different. MLA headings appear on the first page of your paper, while MLA headers are on every top right corner of a page. What Are the 4 Parts of an MLA Heading? MLA heading is divided into different parts. They follow the standard MLA formatting style - 12-point readable font, double-spaced and 1-inch ...
MLA Heading and Header Formats (With Examples)
And just to make sure you understand all the style tricks, you'll learn about section headers too. MLA Heading vs. MLA Header. You have graduated from 5-paragraph essays to MLA research papers, so it is time to learn what an MLA heading vs. a header is in MLA format. MLA headings are found on the first page and provide identifying information.
PDF Formatting a Research Paper
Do not use a period after your title or after any heading in the paper (e.g., Works Cited). Begin your text on a new, double-spaced line after the title, indenting the first line of the paragraph half an inch from the left margin. Fig. 1. The top of the first page of a research paper.
MLA heading and MLA header
An MLA heading is a section of information that is included at the top-left of the first page of an MLA format paper. If you write an MLA paper, you will include these details in the MLA heading (in this order): Your name (author of the paper) Instructor's name. Class or Course title or number. Date paper is submitted.
MLA Formatting and Style Guide
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (9th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Creating an MLA Header
Revised on March 5, 2024. The first page of your MLA format paper starts with a four-line left-aligned header containing: Your full name. Your instructor's name. The course name and number. The date of submission. After the header, the title of the paper is centred on a new line, in title case. The header and title do not take any special ...
MLA Sample Paper
This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. This resource contains a sample MLA paper that adheres to the 2016 updates. To download the MLA sample paper, click this link.
MLA Format: Headings to Citations, the Full Guide
Creating MLA Headers in Microsoft Word. If you're writing your paper in Microsoft Word, follow these steps: Click Insert. Scroll down to Page Numbers and click on it. Set the position to "Top of Page (Header)". Set the alignment to "Right". Make sure there's no checkmark in the box for "Show number on first page".
MLA Style
With this focus on source evaluation as the cornerstone of citation, MLA style promotes the skills of information and digital literacy so crucial today. The new edition offers. New chapters on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, numbers, italics, abbreviations, and principles of inclusive language.
MLA Format Headings
MLA Format Headings. This page contains general guidelines on how to properly format the headings on your research paper using the MLA format. If your instructor requires you to make a cover page, please follow instructions here. 1. The Opening Page: On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper's ...
MLA Style Guide
Section headings: Section headings are used to divide major sections of a paper. MLA does not require specific formatting for section headings. The general rule is to maintain consistency in the use of bold, italics, and alignment when creating levels. Topics of equal importance share the same level heading throughout the document. Citations:
Internal Headings and Subheadings
1.5: Internal Headings and Subheadings. Headings and subheadings in the body of your research project can help organize and structure your writing, but you should avoid overusing them. Headings should never be used to compensate for poor structure or to explain an underdeveloped idea, and they are generally not needed in short, essay-length works.
headings Archives
If my paper has only one source or only one endnote, should the heading still be plural—Works Cited or Notes? No. The heading should be changed to the singular so that it matches the relevant material: Work Cited or Note. Read More. MLA Style Center, the only authorized Web site on MLA style, provides free resources on research, writing, and ...
Purdue OWL MLA formatting
Here is a sample of the first page of a paper in MLA style: Image Caption: The First Page of an MLA Paper. Section Headings. Writers sometimes use Section Headings to improve a document's readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay. Essays
How To Format An MLA Heading
Putting together an essay requires knowing the anatomy of a paper. You'll need to understand the difference between a title and a title page, a Works Cited and Bibliography, as well as headers and a heading. While the title and Works Cited are important parts of your essay, this article will focus on MLA format headings, how they differ from your headers, and what they do for your MLA essay.
MLA Style Guide, 9th Edition: Formatting Your MLA Paper
Heading and Title. An MLA research paper does not need a title page, but your instructor may require one. If no instructions are given, follow the MLA guidelines below: Type the following one inch from the top of the first page, flush with the left margin (double spacing throughout). Your Name. Your Instructor's Name. Course Number or Name. Date.
MLA Headings and Subheadings
As expected, MLA headings in a paper or an essay should be styled in descending order of prominence. This implies that if the title heading is the most prominent, what follows it should be of a ...
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GovInfo
MLA Copy. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. 21 CFR § 176.150 - Chelating agents used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard.. ... Subpart B - Substances for Use Only as Components of Paper and Paperboard Section § 176.150 - Chelating agents used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard. Date ...

MLA Style Guide, 8th & 9th Editions: Formatting Your MLA Paper

Line Spacing & Margins

Heading and Title

Sample Papers from MLA

Styling Headings and Subheadings

MLA Style Paper Template

Sample MLA Paper

How to Use the MLA Style Template

Formatting Group Project Papers

MLA Format Heading

1. The Opening Page:

Sample of the Opening Page:

2. The Inner Pages:

Sample of the Inner Page:

3. The Works Cited Page:

Sample of the Works Cited Page:

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Formatting MLA Headings & Subheadings Guide

What Are MLA Headings?

What Are the 4 Parts of an MLA Heading?

Your Instructor’s Name

Course Title

Submission Date

MLA Heading Example

What Are the Different MLA Level Subheadings?

MLA Heading Format Requirements

Paper to Use

Indentation

Page number

MLA Headings FAQ

Do You Need An MLA Heading On Every Page?

How Do You Create An MLA Running Header in Google Docs and Word?

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What Is an MLA Heading?

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What Are the Parts of an MLA Header?

Creating MLA Headers in Microsoft Word

Creating MLA Headers in Google Docs

Whose last name should you use in your MLA header if you’re writing a group paper?

Should you include your class period in your MLA heading or just the class name?

What should you write in your MLA heading if you don’t have an instructor?

What should you write in your MLA heading if you have multiple instructors?

Should you include the date you started writing the paper or the date the paper is due?

Should you format the date as Day Month Year or Month Day Year?

What font should you use for your MLA heading and header?

Do you need to italicize or bold the title of your MLA paper?

How do you format section titles in your MLA paper?

What is the difference between MLA format and APA format?

Where can you learn more about MLA style?

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Publications

The MLA Style Center

Resources for MLA Style

MLA Handbook , 9th Edition

1. The Opening Page:

2. The Inner Pages:

3. The Works Cited Page: