MLA formatting is commonly used when writing academic papers and essays. MLA stands for Modern Language Association, and it sets the standard for how to format your essay. To format an essay in MLA style, you need to follow specific guidelines for margins, font size, line spacing, header, and in-text citations.

Start by setting up the page margins. In MLA style, the margins should be one inch from each edge. You can set the margins in your word processor or page layout software.

Next, choose a font that is easy to read. The most common font for MLA style is Times New Roman and the font size should be 12 point.

The next step is to set up line spacing. In MLA style, you should use double spacing throughout the entire essay. This means that there should be two lines between each sentence.

In the top left corner of the first page, include a header with your last name and the page number. This will make it easier to keep track of your pages if they get out of order.

Finally, you need to use in-text citations when citing sources within your essay. When citing sources, you should include the authors last name and page number in parentheses after the quotation or paraphrase. This provides your reader with information about where you found your information and allows them to look it up if needed.

Using these simple steps you can quickly format an essay in MLA style. Following these guidelines will ensure that your paper is properly formatted and looks professional.