essay in mla format

essay in mla format

The Importance of Proper MLA Formatting in Academic Writing

1. Introduction to MLA Formatting

Because of this, in our classes we assess your written work with an emphasis on substance, considering it at least as important as formatting. However, we can’t ignore your presentation entirely because we do want you to write in a reader-friendly way, and if we didn’t provide some guidelines, you’d have no way of knowing how much was enough and how much was too much. Therefore, we say to our students: “We are not picky about MLA, but the people who give you grades on your final research paper likely will be.” In an academic setting it is always wise to play the percentages – to improve your odds by doing everything in your power to exceed your teacher’s expectations. Our goal is to help you meet those expectations while still keeping an eye on the substance of your writing. After all, presentation matters. Whether what you’re presenting (your arguments and defense of those arguments) is on target and insightful holds a great deal of weight. Your reader might put down your paper a whole lot sooner because it’s too painful to read if it doesn’t meet this other set of expectations.

As a student, the writing you do for your classes can shape the way you see yourself as a reader and a speaker, as a thinker and a person. Nearly all of the writing you do is likely to have a grade attached to it. In academic writing, your major essays and/or research papers likely count more than your grammar exercises. As you can see, in the great academic conversation, the stakes are relatively high when you are exploring and developing a new idea, or when you are making a big decision. That’s why we have MLA guidelines – to help us play fair and to make it possible for others to follow our paths and benefit from our work. We provide these guidelines to encourage you to succeed in every paper you write. In a large sense, these are not just our requirements for your writing. These are the rules of the game for winning in academic writing.

2. Key Components of MLA Formatting

In discussing the importance of proper MLA formatting, it is helpful to have a working understanding of what this format entails. The guidelines lay out three basic prescriptions to follow. First, every paper must conform to basic standards, including a title, created in the following method: major words capitalized, not italicized, placed in the upper half of the page, as part of a header. Text follows, created via word-processing programs in 12-point type, double-spaced, on 8.5- by 11-inch paper. A 1-inch margin on all sides frames the paper. Pagination appears at the top-right corner, 0.5 inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Finally, a full title containing author, instructor, course, and date appears on the first page, 0.5 inch from the top and flush with left margin.

One common format for publication in most disciplines is that of the Modern Language Association, or MLA, style. Developed over several years, the MLA Handbook is now in its eighth edition and contains approximately 300 pages concerning rules to follow when writing for humanities, particularly literature, language, history, philosophy, religion, music, and the arts. While many details are associated with proper MLA formatting, the basic guide lays out rules for three essential components: format, referencing, and mechanic writing. Originally intended for scholars, students can take advantage of this format to provide their papers with a greater likelihood of sharing in the credit and respect they deserve.

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid in MLA Formatting

One of the most common formatting mistakes concerns the creation of appropriate margins when using the MLA format. With specifications allowing for one-inch margins to be used on all four sides of the paper, many students forget to adjust the size and position of their margins once they are typed into the default settings on MS Word. Another common problem is spacing the paragraphs correctly. One simple way to remember that within the MLA format, the paragraphs have to be indented by a half-inch (0.50 inches) is to press the tab key twice before typing the opening sentence of the paragraph. When using this process, however, be careful not to create too much space between the paragraphs; using single-spacing and a half-inch indentation can be sufficient. Punctuation can be muddled. In this format, quotation marks have to require a format that begins and ends with double quotation marks. Any necessary quotes can then be integrated smoothly into your text, with an appropriate signal phrase serving as the glue. Since this can become quite confusing, remember to look back on the MLA format to see what types of circumstances are appropriate for setting these things properly. Otherwise, such an omission can hinder the flow of your essay considerably. Furthermore, consider avoiding having any floating quotations that do not relate to any introductory clauses or other such analyses. When students are required to create complex structures, they often create improper structures. Know the MLA format methods for setting up your block quotations and follow them carefully while also avoiding cutting off quotes at the beginning, end, or middle of a sentence in one’s essay. Improperly created analysis can convolute meaning in a works cited page and also on in-text citations. Prevent confusion while doing so by understanding what one is writing about and the proper way to format these passages. Even small mistakes within a narrative essay can cause confusion or convolute the true meaning behind the source. A revised paper will clearly illustrate an author’s intended points and reflect an understanding of a more eloquent way of writing within the MLA format. With so many different guidelines and literary rules, proper MLA format for essays is especially time-consuming — and very difficult inadequate, on-hand, in-text study. Whether it’s business reports, magazines, newspapers, articles, manuals, essays, textbooks, letters, memos, or simple notes whose creation will be implemented using MLA protocols, this essay should serve as an easy, pocket-friendly and simple guide.

A writer can inadvertently make many mistakes concerning formatting suggestions for an essay, including errors like improperly indenting/spacing paragraphs, using superfluous quotations and other extraneous material, reflecting inappropriate grammar, or other such conventions. Knowing what common pitfalls to avoid can significantly improve essays created within the MLA format. Below, a few noteworthy MLA formatting problems are discussed which might significantly affect the ability of a student to correctly write in this format. In being aware of such common errors, one will hopefully be able to avoid incorporating them into his or her writing.

4. Benefits of Using MLA Formatting in Academic Writing

By using MLA formatting in one’s chosen subject, a substantial boost in the search results of a person is ensured. A tidily MLA formatted essay looks professional also, which serves to ensure that every time a person improperly uses MLA formatting, every question about design, word processing, and works cited will be seriously questioned by others as well. By learning the technique of MLA formatting, the discipline and mental acumen of an individual benefit substantially. Even though MLA was established by the Modern Language Association, its importance is being expanded and used by other subjects as well. Keep up with contemporary ideas and embrace MLA formatting for a prosperous career!

Using MLA format provides many significant advantages that should not be taken for granted. Like all good systems of formatting, MLA formatting now allows a person to readily cross-reference or verify the reliability of statements made – a skill that, more than ever, is fundamental to academic writing. Even more compelling for an author is the fact that MLA formatting raises the attractiveness of a paper. Studies reveal that a school or university has only ten minutes to accept or deny a paper that is submitted to them. MLA formatting can not only contain a great deal of material, but plays an important part in the timing of the paper’s approval.