MLA (Modern Language Association) format is widely used in the humanities — literature, languages, cultural studies, and philosophy. If you're studying English, History, or any arts subject, chances are you'll need MLA. Here's your complete guide to MLA 9th Edition.
MLA Paper Format
Your paper should follow these formatting rules:
- Font: Times New Roman, 12pt (or any readable font)
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including Works Cited
- Header: Last name + page number, top right
- No title page unless your professor requests one
MLA Header (First Page)
Instead of a title page, MLA uses a header block on the first page:
- Line 1: Your full name
- Line 2: Professor's name
- Line 3: Course name and number
- Line 4: Date (format: 15 February 2026)
- Centered title on the next line (no bold, no underline, no all-caps)
In-Text Citations
Basic Format: (Author Page)
MLA uses author-page style. No comma, no "p." — just the last name and page number:
- Parenthetical: (Smith 45)
- Narrative: Smith states that "..." (45).
- Two authors: (Smith and Jones 45)
- Three+ authors: (Smith et al. 45)
- No author: Use shortened title: ("Article Title" 12)
- No page number: Just use author: (Smith)
Block Quotes
Quotes longer than 4 lines should be formatted as a block quote: indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin, no quotation marks, and place the citation after the period.
Works Cited Page
MLA 9th Edition uses a universal "core elements" system for all source types:
- Author. Title of Source. Title of Container, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location.
Book
Smith, John. The Great Work. Oxford University Press, 2023.
Journal Article
Smith, John, and Jane Jones. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 100–115.
Website
Smith, John. "Page Title." Website Name, 15 Feb. 2026, www.example.com/page.
Film or Video
Film Title. Directed by Jane Jones, Studio Name, 2023.
MLA vs APA vs Harvard: Quick Comparison
- MLA: Author-page, no year in-text, Works Cited page
- APA: Author-year-page, References page
- Harvard: Author-year, Reference List
Check your assignment brief carefully — using the wrong format can cost marks.
Free MLA Tools
- EasyBib — auto-generate MLA citations
- BibMe — free bibliography maker
- Purdue OWL — the definitive MLA style guide (free)
- Citation Machine — supports MLA 9th Edition
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