The MLA Handbook says you should check with your instructor to see what specific requirements they have before you prepare your final draft. The Handbook then recommends the following:
Margins
- Leave one inch at the top, bottom, and on both sides of the text
- Indent the first word of a paragraph one-half inch from the left margin
- Indent set-off quotations one inch from the left margin
Text Formatting
- Choose a font that is easy to read, e.g. Times New Roman
- Use a standard font size, e.g. 12 point
- Do not justify the lines of text on the right
- Double-space the entire paper, including quotes and the works cited
Heading and Title
- No title page is needed
- One inch from the top and flush with the left margin, type:
- Your name
- Your instructor's name
- The course number
- The date
- Each of these should be on a separate line and double-spaced
- Double space again and center your title. Capitalize the principal words of your title. Don't italicize or underline it.
