MLA Formatting and Formal Writing Rules

Vocabulary flashcards covering MLA format specifications, citation guidelines, and formal writing rules from the lecture notes.

MLA

Modern Language Association.

Page Margins (MLA)

Margins set to 1” on all sides of the page.

Line Spacing (MLA)

Double spacing applied throughout the paper.

Header (MLA)

The writer's last name followed by a space and the page number, placed flush right on the first line of every page so it sits at the 1” top margin.

Heading (MLA)

A double-spaced block placed flush left, one space after the header, containing in exact order: Your name, Mrs. Ayoub, English 2, Period 4, and 20 December 2026.

Essay Title Formatting (MLA)

Centered one space below the heading; it must not be underlined, bolded, italicized, or placed in quotation marks.

Independently Published Works

Works whose titles must be italicized, including books, plays, long poems, pamphlets, periodicals, films, television programs, compact discs, ballets, and operas.

Works Included in a Larger Publication

Works whose titles are offset with quotation marks, such as short stories, magazine articles, or pieces within a collection.

Author's Name Rule

The rule requiring an author's name to be written fully and correctly the first time it is mentioned, after which only the surname (last name) is used.

Number Formatting Rule

The rule to spell out numbers that are one or two words (from “one” to “ninety-nine”) instead of using numerals like “9” or “21”.

Title Page (Source Rule)

The place inside the work from which the title must be taken (not from the cover), capitalizing the first, last, and all principal words.

Short Quotation

A prose quotation of no more than four lines (or poetry of three lines or less) that is enclosed in quotation marks and incorporated directly into the text.

Ellipsis ( . . . )

Punctuation used to indicate the omission of words from a quoted passage.

In-Text Citation (MLA)

Parenthetical citation following a quote containing the author's last name, a space, and the page number (e.g., Hemingway 128); if only one source is used, only the page number is needed after the first citation.

Block Quotations

A quotation format used when a quotation exceeds 3 lines (4 lines or more).

Works Cited Page

The final documentation section that must appear on its own separate page.

Dead Words

Forbidden words in formal writing, specifically: “like,” “shows,” “a lot,” “good,” and “bad”.

Issy Wassys

Phrasing to avoid in formal writing, such as writing “She is trying to…” instead of the simple present form “She tries to..”.

Simple Present Tense (Formal Writing)

The grammatical tense required in formal essay analysis, avoiding past and future tenses.

Topic Sentence Rule

The guideline stating that the author and book title should not be included in a topic sentence unless referring to several titles in the paper.