Everything MLA, in one place.

Where to start

An MLA paper has a heading block instead of a title page, your last name and page number at the top right of every page, short citations in parentheses, and a Works Cited page at the end. Start with MLA format for the whole picture, then use the source pages below when you need one entry.

Formatting the paper

• MLA formatEvery rule for an MLA 9 paper, with a full example.
• MLA headingThe four lines at the top of page 1, and the title under them.
• MLA headerLast name and page number, set up in Google Docs, Word and Pages.
• MLA title pageWhy MLA has none, and what to do when an instructor asks for one.
• Works CitedEvery rule for the MLA list of sources, with an example page.
• Hanging indentSet a half-inch hanging indent in Google Docs, Word and Pages.
• Double spacingDouble-space a paper in Google Docs, Word and Pages, with no extra gaps.
• MLA in-text citationsAuthor and page, every special case, with examples.
• Block quotesWhen a quote becomes a block, and how to set it, in MLA, APA and Chicago.
• Annotated bibliographyEntries with annotations, in MLA and APA, with layout and examples.
• Citing a source in a sourceCite a quote you found in another source: qtd. in, as cited in, quoted in.
• MLA vs APA vs ChicagoThe three styles side by side, and which one your class wants.

How to cite each source

• WebsiteA page or article on a website, with an author.
• Web page with no authorA page with no named person, often by an organization.
• YouTube videoA video on YouTube or another site, including TED talks.
• Journal articleA scholarly article, in print or from a database.
• BookA whole book, print or e-book.
• Chapter in an edited bookA chapter, essay or story in a book with editors.
• Newspaper or magazine articleA news or magazine article, print or online.
• FilmA movie, in a theater or on a streaming service.
• TV episodeOne episode of a series, aired or streamed.
• Podcast episodeOne episode of a podcast.
• InterviewA published interview, or one you did yourself.
• Government reportA report or publication from an agency or organization.
• Social media postA post on X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok or similar.
• ChatGPT or other AIText from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or another AI tool.
• BibleA Bible edition, with book, chapter and verse.
• Encyclopedia entryAn article in Britannica or another reference work.
• SongA song or a whole album.
• Painting or artworkA painting, sculpture or photograph, in a museum or online.
• Lecture or speechA lecture, keynote or talk you attended.
• EmailAn email or message sent to you.