Research papers that use MLA format do not include a cover page unless requested by your instructor. Instead, start with the information shown at the top of this page. Do not bold the title or use all capital letters. Capitalize the first and last words of the title, and all principal words. If your paper includes a subtitle, separate it from the title by a colon and space, as shown. For more specific guidance on capitalization, see the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition (MLA 7th Edition).
All textincluding titles, quotations, notes, and list of works citeduses double line spacing. Body text and note text use a half-inch first-line indent. The list of works cited uses a half-inch hanging indent. Table titles and source text use a quarter-inch indent. Access all of these text formats on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery.
MLA format discourages extensive use of content notes. But, when you need to add notes, you can use either endnotes or footnotes. MLA 7th Edition indicates that you should use a superscript, Arabic numeral at an appropriate place in the text for the note reference. To begin the note text, use the same numeral, not superscript, and followed by a period.
If you use endnotes, they should be on a separate page, at the end of your text and preceding the list of works cited. If you use footnotes, consult your professor for preferred format.
For quotations of more than four lines, indent the quote one inch from the left margin and do not use quotation marks. To apply this formatting, on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, click Quote. For shorter quotations, you can put them in quotation marks and incorporate them directly into text.
Table 1
T...
