MLA Format

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is the standard citation style for literature, arts, and humanities papers. It emphasizes author and page number for easy reference.

When to Use MLA

• Literature and literary analysis
• Foreign languages and linguistics
• Philosophy and cultural studies
• Art history and criticism

Paper Format

• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Double-spaced throughout
• 1-inch margins on all sides
• Last name + page number in header

In-Text Citations

Format: (Author Page)

• One author: (Smith 45)
• Two authors: (Smith and Jones 23)
• Three+ authors: (Smith et al. 67)
• No author: ("Article Title" 12)

Works Cited Examples

Book: Smith, John. The Digital Generation. Academic Press, 2023.

Journal Article: Johnson, Sarah. "Teen Mental Health." Journal of Psychology, vol. 15, no. 3, 2023, pp. 45-67.

Website: Brown, Maria. "Social Media and Sleep." Health Today, 15 Jan. 2023, www.healthtoday.com/article.

Always alphabetize your Works Cited by author's last name.

Quick Tips

• Use hanging indent on Works Cited entries
• Italicize longer works, use quotes for shorter ones
• Include page numbers for print sources
• Double-check against official MLA guidelines