Skip to Main Content

Research Paper Formatting Tips & Tricks

This guide has 'how-to" information about formatting MLA and APA research papers.

MLA Basics

  1. A Works Cited must be on a separate page. To start on a new page, press ctrl/enter on the keyboard (or command/enter on a Mac).
  2. MLA Formatting requires 1" margins, double-spacing throughout the paper
  3. Center the title Works Cited at the top of the works cited page
  4. Each citation should be a Hanging Indent (all lines after the first line of each entry are indented one-half inch from the left margin).
  5. Place citations in alphabetical order.
  6. Double-space the entire Works Cited page(s).

MLA Citation Guidelines (8th ed.) ​

Gavilan's MLA 8th ed. Handout

Overview and examples for citing all kinds of sources.

Example of a Works Cited