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Over the last couple of days, we have been looking at how to cite properly within the formatting guidelines of MLA—or Modern Language Association—style. Just to remind you, MLA is the style you will be asked to use when writing papers for classes that can be classified as humanities (i.e. history, english, religious studies). Today, to wrap up our three-part series on MLA style, we will be discussing overall formatting under the current MLA guidelines.

First of all, your paper needs to be double-spaced, in a twelve or eleven point legible font (such as Courier New or Times New Roman), and have one-inch margins on all sides. To most people, I know this seems like a given, but sometimes the simplest things are the easiest to mess up. Check these things before you even start your paper, that way you will be sure that the format is right.
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MLA—or Modern Language Association—style is the format you will most likely be asked to use when writing papers for classes that are fall under the humanities, such as history, english, art, or critical theory, just to name a few. Yesterday, we talked about how to properly notate in-text citations. Today, in part two of our three part series, we will be discussing how to format a bibliography in MLA style.

A bibliography is the place where you list your references at the end of your paper. This is done so that your reader or grader can quickly find your source material. It is important that you format this page correctly, as it is often a source of point deductions in many classes. (more…)

Now that we have finished our 3-part series on APA style formatting (the formatting used for papers written in science and social science disciplines), we are moving on to MLA style formatting. MLA—or Modern Language Association—is the style of formatting you will most likely be asked to use when writing papers for classes that fall under the broad heading of humanities. For instance, you will be asked to use MLA style formatting for papers written for english classes, or for comparative studies classes. Today, in part one of our three-part series on MLA style formatting; we will be talking about how to properly notate in-text citations.
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Students usually dread term papers, but a few basic steps can make the difference between a ho-hum, poorly organized paper and one that wins praise — or at least a passing grade — from your instructor.

The first step is to draft a clear, concise statement of intent — a summary sentence of what you intend to prove, based on facts derived from your source materials. Every reference, every quote you use, every sentence your write, will build the case to convince your reader of this central premise or opinion. (Make sure you choose something that you have some evidence to back up!) For example, the intent of this article can be stated as: “There are a few basic steps that can improve a student’s term paper.”
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We have spent the last couple of days talking about some of the intricacies of APA style citations. APA—or American Psychological Association—style is the format you will most likely be asked to use when writing papers for classes that fall under the categories of science or social science. So far, we have talked about the proper notation of in-text citations and the formatting of your references section. Today, wrapping up our three-part series on APA style, we will discuss the overall formatting of a paper under current APA guidelines.

First off, your entire paper needs to be double-spaced, in a legible and reasonably sized font (11 or 12 pt. Times New Roman is usually best), and have one inch margins on all sides of your standard 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper. I know that these items seem pretty basic, but many students inadvertently forget to set margins appropriately or double-spacing and are docked points unnecessarily. Don’t be one of them.
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