MLA is the format you will use for all written assignments. All assignments
should be typed using this format. The letters M – L – A stand for Modern
Language Association. This association publishes a guide to writing
research papers and essays based on a certain style the paper should look
like. MLA style has been commonly used by many schools all over the nation
and the world (Canada, Japan, China, etc.) for nearly half a century. MLA
has specific guidelines on how your heading should look, the type and size of
the font you should use, width of margins, use of quotations, punctuation,
mechanics of writing and documentation of sources used to write these papers.
Though there are other associations who have their own guidelines, King
Philip Regional School District uses the MLA format.
This year you will use MLA format for every assignment you turn in for
Language Arts and you should use it for every assignment you turn in for your
other classes unless your teacher tells you otherwise. This means (unless
otherwise told) that every assignment
must be typed and you must use the correct MLA format.
The following is the simplest guidelines on how your paper should look from
now on. As the school year progresses and particularly during our research
unit, you will learn more MLA guidelines.
MLA Format: The Basics
SPACING:
All your assignments must be typed and double spaced between lines throughout
the entire paper. Before typing your paper, adjust the spacing on Microsoft
Word by going to “Format” on the tool bar, clicking on “paragraph” and going
to the “spacing” section on the dialog box and clicking on “double”. Please
do not add any extra lines or any fewer lines at ANY PLACE in the paper.
SIZE AND STYLE OF FONT:
Set the font size and style on the tool bar before you begin your paper. The
font should be set to “TIMES NEW ROMAN” and the size should be 12 point.
THE HEADING ON YOUR PAPER:
Your heading should be typed at the upper left hand corner of your paper and
should look like this:
Your Name
Mrs. Osborne
Language Arts, Class Color
09 September 2011
** please note that the heading is double spaced
just like the rest of the paper.
THE TITLE OF THE PAPER
All assignments turned in should have a title. The title should be
centered. DO NOT BOLD, UNDERLINE OR ITALICIZE THE TITLE. The title should
be in “Times New Roman”, “12 point” font just like the rest of the paper.
(Most often, you will be allowed to create your own title).
THE MARGINS:
All four sides of the paper should have 1 ½ inch margins. Microsoft Word
usually has this set for you automatically.
These are the basics from which you will build your knowledge of MLA format.
Learn them! Know them! All written assignments will require you to use the
MLA format.
