This checklist is intended to identify the parts of a research project formatted in MLA style.
Check with your professor to determine which parts are required for your assignment.
This list follows requirements from the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.
Wellehan Library
Saint Joseph’s College
MLA Research Project Checklist
Click here to see a sample paper.
All requirements below are taken from the MLA Handbook guide for Formatting Your Research Project hosted on MLA Handbook Plus.
Font and Size
Choose an easily readable font and font size, for example Times New Roman 12-point or Calibri 11-point, unless your instructor specifies something different.
Generally use the same font and size through the whole paper.
Margins
Use a one-inch margin at top, bottom, left and right of every page.
Spacing
Double space the entire paper, including quotations, notes and the works cited list.
Indentation
Indent the first line of every paragraph.
Title
"One inch from the top of the first page and flush with the left margin, type your name, your instructor’s name (or instructors’ names, if there is more than one instructor), the course name and number, and the date on separate double-spaced lines."
Next, center the title of the paper on a new double-spaced line. Do not italicize, underline or boldface your title. Do not add quotation marks or type it in all capital letters. Use the rules for capitalization found in Section 2.90.
Running Head
"Number all pages consecutively throughout the research paper in the upper right-hand corner, half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin."
Type your last name, followed by a space, before the page number.
Do not add a period, a hyphen, or any other mark or symbol between your name and the page number
Click here for directions for creating the running head in various word processors.
Text (Body)
Begin the body of the paper on a new double-spaced line after the title.
List of Works Cited
Click here for Works Cited list entry examples.
Place the works cited list at the end of the paper, after any endnotes.
"Center the heading, Works Cited, an inch from the top of the page. If the list contains only one entry, make the heading Work Cited."
The list should be double spaced, including between the heading and first citation.
Use the hanging indent format for all entries.
Title Page
If your instructors require a title page, format the title page according to their instructions.
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