Maintaining consistent formatting is essential for academic integrity and professional presentation in the humanities. The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides a structured framework that ensures readers can easily navigate a text and locate the original sources used by the author. Following the release of the 9th edition, these rules have been refined to better accommodate the vast array of digital and multimedia sources available today.

Quick Reference for MLA 9th Edition Requirements

For those needing an immediate checklist, the following parameters define the standard MLA document:

  • Margins: 1 inch on all four sides.
  • Font: Legible serif or sans-serif (e.g., Times New Roman), 12 pt.
  • Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire document.
  • Indentation: First line of every paragraph indented 0.5 inches.
  • Running Head: Last name and page number in the top right corner.
  • Heading: Student name, instructor, course, and date on the first page.
  • Works Cited: Separate page at the end, organized alphabetically with hanging indents.

General Document Formatting and Layout

Establishing the correct layout from the start prevents technical issues later in the writing process. Most academic institutions require papers to be submitted on standard white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.

Margins and Alignment

Uniform 1-inch margins must be applied to the top, bottom, left, and right of the page. This creates a clean "frame" for the text. Text should be aligned to the left margin, leaving the right margin "ragged" (uneven). Avoid using full justification, as this creates irregular spacing between words that can impair readability.

Font Selection

While Times New Roman is the traditional choice, MLA 9 allows for any legible font that clearly distinguishes between regular and italic styles. Common alternatives include Arial or Georgia. Regardless of the font family, the size must remain 12 pt for the body text.

Line Spacing and Paragraphs

Double-space every part of the document, including the Works Cited list and block quotations. No extra spaces should be inserted between paragraphs. Each new paragraph begins with a 0.5-inch indentation, which is typically one press of the "Tab" key.

Creating the Proper Header and First-Page Heading

MLA style does not require a title page unless specifically requested by an instructor. Instead, the first page contains both a running head and a formal heading.

The Running Head

The running head appears 0.5 inches from the top of the page and is flush with the right margin. It consists of your last name followed by the page number (e.g., Smith 1). This header must appear on every page of the document, including the first page and the Works Cited page.

The First-Page Heading

Beginning at the top left margin (1 inch from the top), list the following information on separate, double-spaced lines:

  1. Your Full Name
  2. Instructor’s Name (e.g., Professor Jane Doe)
  3. Course Name and Number (e.g., English 101)
  4. Date (Formatted as Day Month Year, e.g., 14 May 2024)

The Title

After the date, press the "Enter" key once and center your title. Do not bold, underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. Use standard title-case capitalization, where all major words are capitalized. If your title includes the name of a published work (like a book), that specific portion should be italicized (e.g., The Influence of The Great Gatsby on Modern Literature).

Section Headings and Subheadings

For longer research papers, headings help organize content into logical sections. While MLA does not mandate a specific style for headings, consistency is vital. The 9th edition suggests a five-level hierarchy if needed:

  • Level 1: Bold, Flush Left
  • Level 2: Italics, Flush Left
  • Level 3: Bold, Centered
  • Level 4: Italics, Centered
  • Level 5: Underlined, Flush Left

If you only use one level of heading, choose Level 1. Ensure there is no extra space above or below these headings; the double-spacing remains constant.

Mechanics of In-Text Citations

The primary purpose of an in-text citation is to point the reader to the full entry on the Works Cited page. MLA uses an author-page system.

Basic Format

The author’s last name and the page number where the information was found should be placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the final punctuation mark.

  • Example: Modern technology has significantly altered social interactions (Jones 42).

Using Signal Phrases

If the author's name is mentioned within the sentence (a signal phrase), only the page number is needed in the parentheses.

  • Example: According to Jones, technology has changed how we interact (42).

Handling Multiple Authors

  • Two Authors: List both last names separated by "and."
    • Example: (Smith and Wesson 115).
  • Three or More Authors: List the first author’s last name followed by "et al."
    • Example: (Brown et al. 12).

Sources with No Known Author

When an author is not listed, use a shortened version of the title. Titles of articles go in quotation marks, while titles of books go in italics.

  • Example (Article): ("Global Warming Trends" 4).
  • Example (Book): (History of Rome 92).

Citing Non-Print or Digital Sources

If a source does not have page numbers (common with websites and videos), omit the page number. If the source has stable numbering like chapters or paragraphs, you may use those with abbreviations (e.g., ch. 2, par. 15). For videos, time stamps can be used (e.g., 00:05:30-00:06:15).

The Works Cited Page: The Container System

The Works Cited page provides the complete bibliographic information for every source cited. It starts on a new page at the end of the document. The title "Works Cited" should be centered at the top.

The Logic of Containers

The 9th edition utilizes a "container" system. A container is the larger work that holds the source. For example:

  • An article (Source) is inside a journal (Container).
  • An episode (Source) is inside a TV series (Container), which might be on Netflix (Container 2).

The Nine Core Elements

Each entry is built using these elements in a specific order, followed by the designated punctuation:

  1. Author. (Last Name, First Name)
  2. Title of Source. (In quotes for short works, italics for long works)
  3. Title of Container, (Italicized)
  4. Other Contributors, (e.g., edited by, translated by)
  5. Version, (e.g., 9th ed., authorized version)
  6. Number, (e.g., vol. 2, no. 4)
  7. Publisher, (Omit for periodicals)
  8. Publication Date, (Day Month Year)
  9. Location. (Page numbers, DOI, or URL)

Formatting the List

  • Alphabetical Order: Sort entries by the first word (usually the author's last name). Ignore "A," "An," or "The" if the entry starts with a title.
  • Hanging Indents: The first line of each entry is flush left, but all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.
  • Double-Spacing: Apply double-spacing to the entire list with no extra gaps between entries.

Detailed Citation Examples for Common Sources

Books

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

  • Example: Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Scholastic, 1998.

Journal Articles from a Database

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#. Database Name, URL or DOI.

Webpages

Author Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Page." Name of Website, Day Month Year, URL.

YouTube Videos

"Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by [Channel Name], Day Month Year, URL.

Best Practices for Formatting Quotations

How you integrate quotes depends on their length.

Short Quotations

Short quotes (fewer than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry) are enclosed in quotation marks and incorporated into the text. The parenthetical citation comes after the closing quotation mark but before the period.

  • Example: The character felt that "the world was a dark place" (Smith 22).

Long (Block) Quotations

For prose longer than four lines, use a block format:

  1. Start on a new line.
  2. Indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
  3. Do not use quotation marks.
  4. The parenthetical citation goes after the final period.
  5. Maintain double-spacing.

Technical Guide: Setting Up Hanging Indents in Software

Many students struggle with the mechanical aspect of the hanging indent on the Works Cited page.

Microsoft Word

  1. Highlight the text you want to format.
  2. Right-click and select Paragraph.
  3. Under the Indentation section, find the Special dropdown menu.
  4. Select Hanging and ensure it is set to 0.5".
  5. Click OK.

Google Docs

  1. Highlight the text.
  2. Go to the Format menu.
  3. Select Align & indent > Indentation options.
  4. Under Special indent, select Hanging from the dropdown.
  5. Set it to 0.5" and click Apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to include the URL for online sources?

Yes, MLA 9 highly recommends including URLs to help readers find the source. However, omit "https://" and start with "www." unless the link is a DOI (Digital Object Identifier).

How do I cite a source with no page numbers?

If the source is a webpage or a digital-only work without page markers, simply use the author's last name. Do not invent page numbers based on your printer settings.

What should I do if a source has two publishers?

If two or more organizations are equally responsible for the work, list them both separated by a forward slash (/).

How is the date formatted?

In MLA, dates follow the Day Month Year format (e.g., 25 Dec. 2023). Months longer than four letters should be abbreviated (Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.). May, June, and July are not abbreviated.

Should I include the "Accessed Date"?

The "Accessed Date" is optional but recommended if the source does not have a publication date or if you suspect the content might change frequently (like a Wiki page).

Conclusion

Mastering MLA 9th edition formatting is a skill that enhances the clarity and credibility of academic writing. By strictly adhering to the 1-inch margins, double-spacing, and the author-page citation system, writers ensure their work meets the rigorous standards of the humanities. The move toward a "core elements" system in the Works Cited page offers the flexibility needed to document everything from classic novels to the latest digital media. Remember to always double-check specific instructor requirements, as they may occasionally request slight variations from the standard MLA guidelines.

Summary Checklist

  • Check that the Running Head includes your last name and page number.
  • Ensure the First-Page Heading is double-spaced and correctly ordered.
  • Verify that all In-Text Citations correspond to an entry in the Works Cited list.
  • Confirm the Works Cited page uses hanging indents and alphabetical sorting.
  • Scan the document for Double-Spacing consistency, including quotes and lists.