A Short and Simple Guide to MLA Format for Writing Essays

Do you know what an abbreviation “MLA” stands for? Certainly, you know if you have ever written more or less serious academic paper. In fact, MLA format for writing essays is one of the most called-for styles of formatting academic papers. If you ask us why MLA format for writing essays is so popular, the answer to this question is waiting for you already.

The secret of “charm” of MLA format for writing essays is quite simple: it is very concise and laconic in comparison with other styles of citations (Chicago, Turabian, etc.). Thus, MLA format for writing essays is attractive due to its simplicity. Still, if the style of citation is simple, it does not mean that it allows you to cite sources and format your paper as the mood takes you.

You have to observe a set of rules that MLA format for writing essays offers you. Thus, we offer you a simple guide to MLA format for writing essays.            

A simple guide to MLA format for writing essays

• MLA format for writing essays does not require the obligatory use of footnotes and endnotes. It will be enough if you just provide simple in-text parenthetical citation, like e.g. (Brown 134) where first comes the last name of the author of the source and then you state the page where cited information or idea is presented.

• However, it is still possible to use footnotes in MLA format for writing essays if your professor demands this. It will be a little more complicated than parenthetical citation but we hope you will get your hand in footnotes. A footnote in MLA format for writing essays does not differ much from the footnotes in other styles of citation (e.g. James Jones, Economics (New York: Routledge, 2009) 256).

• One more characteristic feature of MLA format for writing essays is the way you should format direct quotations if they are necessary in your essay. If the quotation is longer than 40 words, you should type it in a separate double-spaced block indented five spaces from left margin.