Crafting An MLA Style Term Paper: 10 Quick Tips


When you are given a term paper to write and format in MLA style there are some simple tips that you should take seriously. In the event that you are doing this for the first time, learning about these will go a long way in making sure that you can ace your term paper. Herein are 10 quick tips that will guide you as you work on your MLA style term paper:

  • Formatting your margin

  • Choosing the appropriate font

  • Setting the space for your paper

  • The indent style

  • Citations without an author

  • Citations with more than one author

  • Citing work that is online without any page numbers

  • Try to avoid the URLs

  • Learn how to use abbreviations appropriately

  • Always proofread your work

Formatting your margin

For this paper, you need to ensure that you have the margins on your paper set at one inch all around the paper.

Choosing the appropriate font

The font for MLA style is supposed to be set in standard size 12 and written in Times New Roman, unless you are advised to work otherwise.

Setting the space for your paper

As you are editing your paper, make sure that you use an appropriate spacing size. In most cases you will be asked to double space your work.

The indent style

All the work you do must showcase a hanging indent. This means that you need to start your paragraphs half an inch away from the margin.

Citations without an author

In the event that your source does not have the name of an author, you need to cite it with the title of the resource you are using.

Citations with more than one author

If your source has more than one author, you can only name the first and second authors. Any more than these two should be followed by the italicized word et al.

Citing work that is online without any page numbers

If your source does not have any page numbers, you can abbreviate it like n.pag to indicate this situation. This is particularly so for those who read material online with no page numbers

Try to avoid the URLs

Try and stay away from URLs in your citations unless it is absolutely necessary.

Learn how to use abbreviations appropriately

There are abbreviations that you will have to learn how to use such as the days of the week or months of the year.

Always proofread your work

As is the case with any other piece of work that you will do, when writing a term paper in MLA style, make sure that you proofread it properly.

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