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Citation Guide - MLA9

Formatting your paper

The MLA also give instructions on how to format your essay. This is aimed at making sure your work is as clear as possible. Sometimes for IB you will be given specific formatting instructions, if you are ever unsure on how to format double-check with your subject teacher.

 

For Extended Essay (EE) formatting guidelines go to the Extended Essay LibGuide.

Use the default setting- normally 1 inch on each side.

  • Font style and size: A common font (such as Times New Roman, nothing fancy) 12 point
  • Justify the text on the left side (all text is even on the left side of the page)
  • Double-space the entire paper
  • Use one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark.

Follow MLA capitalization rules for paper titles and headings. Do not:

  • italicize or underline your title/heading,
  • put it in quotes or boldface, or
  • type it in all capital letters
  • No periods after your title or any heading
  • Begin text (after title or heading) on a new, double-spaced line with indentation

  • Number ALL pages consecutively
  • Upper right corner ½ inch (1cm) space from the top and flush with right margin
  • Last name (space) number- do not use p. or any punctuation*
    • Example: Roelling 2

*For externally assessed papers use your candidate number instead of your name

Important Note:

Most IB assessment criteria state that footnotes should not be used for developing the argument of the assignment, they should be used for referencing only. Examiners are not required to read endnotes or footnotes! 

For MLA style, citations are given in-text to keep the reader focused on the text. There are rare occasions when bibliographic notes could be helpful:

  • To cite a lengthy string of sources
  • To explain an unusual documentation practice
  • To flag editions and translations used

For examples, please consult the MLA Handbook, 9th edition, section 7.1.

 

Specific details

Create your works cited references as you research. Do not wait until the last minute!

  • Use a recommended citation generator- Zotero, NoodleTools, or Cite my Sources Generator. 
  • If a required element does not apply to your resource (e.g. page numbers for a website), leave it out. 
  • References are listed in alphabet order based on the first word in each entry.
  • References longer than one line should have a hanging indent.
  • Websites and similar online sources require a Date of Access.
     

Works Cited List Example

Basics:

  • If the abbreviation is all capital letters: do not use spaces or periods
    • Except with proper names
  • If the abbreviation ends in a lowercase letter: put a period at the end
  • If each letter represents a common lowercase abbreviation: put a period between letters without spaces

See Purdue OWL for more information. 

Short quotations (four lines or fewer):

  • Double quotation marks are placed at the start and end of the quotation
  • Punctuation marks such as periods and commas go after the in-text citation
  • Question marks and exclamation marks that are part of the quote go inside the quotation marks

 

Long quotations (five lines or more):

  • Do not use quotation marks
  • Place the text in a free-standing block (see example here)
  • In-text citation goes at the end

 

See Purdue OWL for more information.

Use one space after the final punctuation mark of each sentence.

Double space each line of text throughout the whole paper. 

Follow MLA capitalization rules for paper titles and headings

  • Do not italicize or underline title/headings of unpublished papers
  • Do not put any titles/headings in quotes or boldface, or type them in all capital letters
  • No periods after titles or headings
  • Begin text (after title or heading) on a new, double-spaced line with indentation