Formatting your research paper in MLA (Modern Language Association) style is essential for maintaining clarity and consistency in your writing. Whether you’re a high school student or a college undergraduate, getting the formatting right can enhance the professionalism of your work. Below, you’ll find three diverse examples to guide you through the process of formatting a research paper in MLA style.
In this example, we’ll look at how to format a basic research paper for a high school assignment. This is particularly useful for students who are new to MLA style and need a straightforward guide to follow.
In a standard MLA paper, your first page should include your name, your instructor’s name, the course name, and the date, all double-spaced and aligned to the left. The title of your paper should be centered, and the entire document should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides. Here’s how it might look:
Taylor Smith
Mrs. Johnson
English 10
25 October 2023
The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities
In recent years, climate change has significantly affected coastal cities worldwide... (continue with the body of your essay)
Note: Make sure to use a readable font like Times New Roman, size 12, and always double-space your text.
This example illustrates a more advanced MLA format suitable for college-level research papers. This may include citations, a works cited page, and more detailed guidelines for structuring your work.
Similar to the high school example, your first page will contain the same heading. However, you will also need to include in-text citations to support your arguments. Let’s say you are writing about the influence of technology on education:
Taylor Smith
Professor Davis
History 101
25 October 2023
The Influence of Technology on Education
Technology has transformed how students learn in numerous ways. According to Smith (2022), the integration of digital tools in classrooms has... (continue with the body of your essay)
Works Cited:
Smith, John. "The Role of Technology in Modern Education." Journal of Educational Research, vol. 15, no. 3, 2022, pp. 45-67.
Note: Remember to indent the second and subsequent lines of your citations (this is called a hanging indent) and to always include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper.
This example shows how to format a research paper that utilizes multiple sources and includes a variety of citations throughout the text. This is especially useful for students who are tackling larger research projects or theses.
Let’s say you’re exploring the effects of social media on communication:
Taylor Smith
Dr. Brown
Communications 201
25 October 2023
The Effects of Social Media on Communication
In contemporary society, social media has reshaped interpersonal communication. As Johnson (2023) highlights, platforms like Facebook and Twitter encourage... (body of your essay continues)
Works Cited:
Johnson, Emily. "Social Media and Its Impact on Communication." Communication Studies, vol. 20, no. 4, 2023, pp. 100-120.
Williams, Mark. "The Evolution of Digital Communication." Journal of Media Science, vol. 18, no. 1, 2020, pp. 30-50.
Note: When citing multiple works by different authors, ensure that you list each source alphabetically on your Works Cited page. Also, remember to follow any specific guidelines provided by your instructor regarding citation style.
With these examples, you should feel more confident in formatting your research paper according to MLA guidelines. Happy writing!