MLA format is used for writing papers and essays in liberal arts and humanities subjects. It provides a standardized way to cite sources using both in-text citations and a Works Cited page to avoid plagiarism. MLA format guidelines specify using Times New Roman 12-point font, double spacing, 1-inch margins, and including a header with the author's last name and page number on each page. Sources should be cited both in-text with the author's name and page number and fully in an alphabetical Works Cited list, with examples given for different source types like books, websites, and multiple authors.

1. MLAFormat By Denise McNamara

2. What is MLA format? MLA, or Modern Language Association, is a formatted way to write papers and essays that are typically in “liberal arts and humanities” subjects. (“MLA Formatting and Style Guide” n.p.) MLA also gives a way for the author of the paper a way to correctly cite the sources that they use to back the information that are writing about.

3. Why use MLA? I believe that you should use the MLA format when writing a paper that is about liberal arts or humanities because it will help keep you out of trouble. If you miss-use information by not citing a source or miss-citing a source you could be charged with plagiarism and your grade or career could be in jeopardy. I also think using the MLA format makes it easier for the reader to go research what you did to make sure that your information is correct and truthful so that they can us it in their work or life.

4. MLA Citations General Rules to work by are: Make sure that your source information in text match's the source citation in your Works Cited Page. The information that is required in a in test citation depends on the source of the material you are using. (“MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics” n.p.) Some examples of different types sources that you could use in a MLA paper: Author-Page Style Print Sources with Known Author Print Sources with No Known Author Authors with Same Last Names Citing Non-Print or Sources from the Internet (“MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics” n.p.) Sources that have more then one author An unsigned work The bible (Aaron 265) When citation is not needed: Use common sense when wondering about citing a source. Things that are common knowledge or commonly used proverbs don’t need citation because everyone knows them and they are widely used. (“MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics” n.p.)

5. Guild lines to using MLA Use a computer and printer to produce your paper. Make sure that the paper you use to print it on is the standard white 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Make sure that your font is Times New Roman, the font is 12 and that your whole paper is doubled space. Also make sure that you only leave on space after each punctuation. Set all of your margins at one inch and make sure to intent one tab at the beginning of every Use a header that has your last name and the page number in the top right of each page. If you have endnote be sure to put then at the end of your paper but before your work cited. (“MLA Formatting and Style Guide” n.p.)

6. Work Cited Slide Aaron, Jane. The Little, Brown Essential Hand Book. 6th edition. Pearson Longman, 2008. 265. Print. Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, Keck, Russell, and Elizabeth Angeli. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 July 2011. Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, Keck, Russell, and Elizabeth Angeli. "MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics." The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 14 June. 2011. Web. 13 July 2011.