MLA General Paper Formatting Rules
A-State Online Writing Center
MLA 8th addition
• Paper size will always be 8.5 x 11, unless specifically instructed otherwise
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides
• Align your margins to the left side of your paper.
• Each line of text throughout an MLA paper is double-spaced
• Choose a common font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Font size
should be 12 point. Make sure the font you choose clearly distinguishes italics
from regular style.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph by one-half inch from the left margin.
Using the “Tab” key to do so will ensure uniformity from paragraph to
paragraph.
• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand
corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your
instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow
your instructor's guidelines.)
• Put your last name in your header, immediately to the left of your page
number.
In the top left corner of your paper, 1 inch from the top margin and 1 inch from
the left margin, place the following information on the first page only:
• Your first and last name
• Your instructor’s name
• Your class’s name and number or section
• Date of submission written as day, month and year. Abbreviate all months
except May, June, and July.
Place the title of your paper on a new line, double-spaced. Center your title, even
if it is longer than one line.
Example of a properly formatted first page MLA-style paper:
Note that your instructor’s directions take precedence over other directions. Always follow your
instructor’s directions.
