MLA 9 Format Checklist for Student Papers
Run down this list before you submit — these are the MLA 9 things professors mark you down for. MLA has no separate title page; everything starts on page 1.
Page formatting
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
- Font: a readable font (such as Times New Roman) at 12 pt.
- Spacing: double-spaced throughout, with no extra space between paragraphs.
- Indent: first line of every body paragraph indented 0.5 inch.
- Alignment: left-aligned (ragged right) — not justified.
- Header: your last name and the page number in the top-right corner of every page.
First page (no title page)
- In the top-left: your name, your instructor, the course, and the date — each on its own line.
- A centered title in title case — not bold, italic, or underlined.
Works Cited
- Starts on a new page with a centered heading: Works Cited (not bold).
- Double-spaced, with a 0.5-inch hanging indent.
- Alphabetical by the first author's last name.
- Each entry formatted correctly — see MLA Works Cited examples.
Want to know which of these your paper gets wrong?
Check my MLA paper — free →FAQ
Does MLA use a title page?
No — unless your instructor asks for one. Put the heading block in the top-left of page 1.
Which MLA edition do I use?
MLA 9th edition is the current standard.