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MLA Format Headings

This page contains general guidelines on how to properly format the headings on your research paper using the MLA format.

If your instructor requires you to make a cover page, please follow instructions here.

1. The Opening Page:

On the opening page or the first page, you would include the whole heading and your paper’s title. The whole heading would include the following information:

  • Your Name
  • Your Instructor’s Name
  • Your Class Information
  • Your Paper’s Due Date


Settings:

  • Font: choose an easy to read font such as Times New Roman.
  • Font Size: set the font size to be twelve (12) throughout your research paper, including your paper’s title. Never set the font site larger than 12.
  • Margins: 1-inch for top/bottom/right/left throughout your paper.
  • Double-space: double-space throughout your paper. Don’t add extra spaces (besides double-space) between your headings, your title and your paragraphs.

Sample of the opening page:

A sample of the first page of your paper.

2. The Inner Pages:

For the pages that follow the first page, set the heading like this: instead of the whole heading, you would use the header feature on your word-processing program and including the following information: Your Name and Page Number.

Inner Page Example:

Example of the heading for inner pages.

3. The Works Cited Page:

Every research paper must include a works cited page.

  • The works cited list is placed at the end of your paper, on a new page.
  • The heading for your works cited pages should be the same as the heading for your inner pages, which include your name and the page number at the top.
  • Enter the title as “Works Cited” and place this title 1-inch from the top of the page, see more details in the example illustration picture below.

Example of the Works Cited page:

Example of the Works Cited page.

Source:

– MLA Handbook, 8th edition

{ 8 comments… add one }
  • Maureen Chineduiro April 29, 2020, 11:26 pm

    what is mla title page

    • nat May 6, 2020, 3:24 pm

      I didn’t know of this either, but basically is is a cover page for different assignments. Where it presents the title, date, author, ect.

  • Melanie June 23, 2019, 8:51 am

    Thank you so much for putting this together! It’s a real life-saver!

  • Danish Ahmad May 29, 2019, 8:33 am

    This is really a use site, it help me a lot to learn the MLA format. thans to the person who created this site.

  • CARLOS RIOS May 14, 2019, 6:17 pm

    they are help alot

  • Salina Bujosa October 9, 2016, 5:34 pm

    Very helpful!

  • sofie March 10, 2015, 7:22 pm

    how should i do sub-headings????

  • Faye Begnaud September 25, 2014, 1:47 am

    How do I cite an internet reference in MLA?

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