how to write your essay in mla format

how to write your essay in mla format

Writing a 1000-word essay in MLA format involves careful planning and adherence to specific formatting and citation guidelines. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Document Setup

1. Margins: Set one-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right) of the document.
2. Font: Use a legible 12-point Times New Roman font.
3. Line Spacing: Double-space the entire essay, including quotations, notes, and the Works Cited page.
4. Paragraph Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (you can use the Tab key).

Step 2: Header

1. In the top left corner of the first page, create a header that includes your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the due date. Each piece of information should be on a separate line and double-spaced.
2. In the top right corner of each page, include your last name and the page number. You can do this by going to “Insert” > “Fields” > “Page Number.”

Step 3: Title

1. Center-align the title of your essay on the first page. Use proper capitalization but avoid bold, italics, or underlining for the title.

Step 4: Text

1. Introduction: Start with an introductory paragraph that provides background information and presents your thesis statement.
2. Body Paragraphs: Organize your essay into several body paragraphs, each discussing a specific point or idea. Use topic sentences for each paragraph and support your arguments with evidence, examples, or quotations as needed.
3. Conclusion: Conclude your essay with a concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis.

Step 5: In-Text Citations

1. Use in-text citations whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize information from sources. Include the author’s last name and the page number (if available) in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

   Example: (Smith 45).

2. When citing sources with no page numbers, use the author’s last name.

   Example: (Johnson).

3. For online sources without page numbers, use the author’s last name or a shortened title.

   Example: (Smith) or (“Title of Source”).

Step 6: Works Cited Page

1. Create a separate page titled “Works Cited” at the end of your essay.
2. List all the sources you cited in your essay in alphabetical order by the author’s last name (or title if no author). Follow the proper MLA format for citations, including books, articles, websites, etc.
3. Use a hanging indent for each entry on the Works Cited page, where the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches. You can set this in your word processor’s formatting options.

Step 7: Proofread and Revise

1. Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors. Ensure that your citations are correctly formatted.
2. Revise your essay for clarity, coherence, and organization. Make necessary revisions to improve the flow and logic of your arguments.

By following these steps, you can write a 1000-word essay in MLA format while ensuring it meets the proper formatting and citation requirements.