How To Write A Research Paper In MLA Style

January 20, 2020

MLA style recommended by the Modern Language Association refers to a method of writing research papers. The style is mostly used in History, Philosophy and some areas of humanities. If you are working on your research paper and decided to follow the MLA style for your paper, this article will definitely help you to write a perfect research paper in MLA style. Otherwise, you can rely on to get professional help from an online essay writing service if the research paper writing task seems too difficult. 

Basic Guidelines

Make sure your research paper must incorporate the following points:

  1. The text should be double spaced throughout.
  2. One inch margin on all sides of the paper.
  3. Use parenthetical citations when acknowledging sources used in your paper.
  4. Highlight the titles of books, periodicals, newspapers, TV programs, a film by using italic or underline.
  5. Number all the pages in the upper right corner of the page.


MLA Style Research Paper Format

A standard research paper must include the following things:

  1. The title.
  2. The abstract.
  3. Topic introduction.
  4. The research method used and the corresponding results.
  5. The conclusion and your own interpretation of the topic.
  6. A list of sources and references known as a bibliography.

MLA In-text Citation Format

  1. Cite the idea by starting with a quotation or rephrasing with the full name of the author the same way it appears in the source.
  2. If you are unable to find the author’s name in the text, include the last name in the parenthesis along with the page number.
  3. If there are multiple authors, include name inside the parenthesis the same way stated in the source. 
  4. If there are more than two works by the same author, add the title of the work at the start or inside the parenthesis in an abbreviated form. 

The Works Cited Page

A page that comes after the text of the paper known as the works cited page. Keep in mind the following when drafting works cited page. 

  1. The name of the authors should be in alphabetical order. 
  2. Different sources follow different types of formatting. For example, formatting the information derived from books or magazines is different from that information obtained from online sources. 

Plagiarism

Copying other’s ideas and work into your own paper without referencing is considered plagiarism. With easy access to information on the internet, it is the most common mistake student make. Some students paraphrase the information and call it their own. Paraphrasing is no doubt a good option to get away with plagiarism but you should present your thoughts as well. Always have works cited page and include all the references that you have used directly or indirectly in your paper. 

Now you know how to write a research paper in MLA style. Mla formatting shows itself a convenient way that allows the writer what to write while not dwelling much into the formatting. Since this formatting style is mostly used in the field of humanities, citation rules are more to pay attention to. Keep in mind the above guidelines for writing a paper in MLA style or just contact any write essay for me service.


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