This document provides an introduction to MLA format, including general guidelines for formatting papers in MLA style. Key aspects of MLA format covered include using parenthetical citations to attribute sources, double spacing the paper with 1-inch margins, and including a last name and page number header on each page other than the first. The document also discusses guidelines for preparing the Works Cited page in alphabetical order by author last name.

1. Introduction to MLA Format
• A simple and precise way to
attribute data of any kind
• An writer friendly way for
referencing sources by
Parenthetical citation
• MLA- Modern Language
• Association
• MLA style protects writers from
accusations of plagiarism

2. General format of MLA
• 12 point Times New Roman – everything on page with
1 inch margins all around.
• Last Name and Page Number
on every page other than first.
• Double Spaced throughout
the paper

3. Guidelines of MLA
• Prepare the document on a
computer and print it out
on standard, white 8.5 x
11-inch paper.
• Leave only one space after
periods or other
punctuation marks
• Keep first line of paragraphs one
half-inch from the left margin
and use the Tab key instead of
the Space Bar five times.
• Use italics for the titles
of longer works and,
only when necessary,
providing emphasis.

4. Use of Parenthetical Citations
• Consider citing the source when you are summarizing
facts and ideas from the source
• For summarizing
which means to
rewrite a passage in
your own words
• Citation is very much
necessary even if words are
purely original

5. Advantages of MLA format
• The information in the
prepared bibliography
appears complete.
• Easier for students to re-
reference materials and
teachers to fact-check.
• Avoids footnotes.
• The in-text portion is very
easy to check if the reader
is already known to the
book that will be cited

6. Disadvantages of MLA format
• Readability formulas dose
not help in understandability
• Number of readability
formulas, brings in wide
variations in results of a same
text.
• Readability formulas are never
a mean to test the quality of
work.
• Readability formulas goes for
mathematics to literature
which is not favored by
language scholars at all.

7. Works Cited Page
• In the finally prepared
report, list all sources
used in MLA format
• Include as much as information is available, Author (Last
Name, First Name), Title (Underlined or Quotations)
• List out sources in
ALPHABETICAL ORDER by
the initials of source

8. Citing Books and Periodicals
• Book Details: Last name , First name. Title of the book
Publication Details: Publisher & Year of Publication.
Medium of Publication: which language the book is published
• Article in a Magazine:
Author and Title of Article.
Day, Month, Year and also the medium of publication.

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