10 Basic Requirements For Writing An MLA Style Essay
The MLA format is one of the most popular formats of writing in our country. It is being used in all sorts of writings but it is best for writing essays. Most schools and colleges require you to write in this format.
Tips to write an essay
- The first thing you will have to make sure is that you are using good word processing software so that you have all the options you may need. Start by specifying the amount of space you will be using for the essay. You should be leaving 1 inch for the margin. You can do it easily in any of the word processing software.
- The next thing you will have to set is the front. Make it the standard front and legible front size. Do not use any fancy fronts or too small a size. The standard is Times New Roman at 12 points.
- You will also have to increase the space you leave between paragraphs as it will allow the teacher to write their own comments and remarks. This also gives the reader ease of reading because the paragraphs are clearly separated. You increase it to double than what is generally used.
- Use the header option to insert your name and the page number you are on. This better than adding it to the footer because you will be using it for footnotes and then it can get confusing. For the subsequent pages you do not need to write your name just add the page number and date.
- The heading should also have the name of your professor, subject and also the date. You can also add the color code if it is necessary.
- Do not write the title in larger front use the same front but align it in the middle.
- Make the title informative but not too long. There has to be continuity in the writing style.
- If you are going to use the name of some person, movie or book you should make it italicized.
- When you quote the text from a particular place then it should be in quotation marks. You will also have to cite the reference in the footnotes.
- You will have to introduce the author before you can give the quotes. Try to blend it with the rest of the paper. The citation should not stick out.