MLA style provides guidelines for formatting research papers, including font, margins, headings, line spacing, and saving documents. It aims to establish consistency in writing. The Modern Language Association developed a handbook that serves as a comprehensive guide to writing using MLA style. This document outlines the basic MLA requirements: using 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, employing 1-inch margins, double spacing, including a heading with name, date and title in the top left corner, and saving documents with the student's last name and assignment name for easy access.