MLA Document Formatting
The following are the basic guidelines for setting up an MLA-formatted document:
Set side margins to 1” on left, right, top, and bottom.
Set margins to 0.5” for header and footer.
Use Times New Roman 12-point font throughout the document.
Double-space throughout the document.
Use a straight left edge and a “ragged” right edge-set paragraph to “left”.
Indent paragraphs ½” (1 tab)-press tab key 1 time.
Center a document title on page 1. Use Times New Roman 12-point font—do not bold, underline, or italicize.
Create an upper left heading on page 1 only. This should include the following:
Your name (first and last name)
Professor’s name—example: Professor Ames
The name of the class—example: English. 101
The date, in MLA style (day month year)—example: 31 July 2023
Create an upper right header for all pages. This should include the following:
Your last name
An automatic page number
5 pts
Meeting
MLA document formatting includes all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
MLA document formatting includes most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
MLA document formatting missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA In-Text Citation
In-text citations include a signal phrase verb, direct quotation or paraphrase, and parenthetical citation with the author(s)’ last name(s)—only if the name(s) is/are not used in the signal phrase and a page number—only if page numbers are printed on the source.
Example: Lopez et al. contends, “direct quotation” (45).
If it is an indirect quote where a quotation or paraphrase is cited in another source—for example, Austen is quoted from Whitman—write: Austen claims, “direct quote” (qtd. in Whitman 34).
Other examples:
Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).
Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).
Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
5 pts
Meeting
All in-text citations include all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
Most of the in-text citations include most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
All in-text citations missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWorks Cited Page
Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of your paper.
Label the page Works Cited (do not italicize the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page.
Only the title should be centered. The citation entries themselves should be aligned with the left margin.
Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries.
Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inches to create a hanging indent.
List page numbers of sources efficiently, when needed. If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 225 through 250, list the page numbers on your Works Cited page as pp. 225-50 (Note: MLA style dictates that you should omit the first sets of repeated digits. In the example, the digit in the hundreds place is repeated between 225 and 250, so you omit the 2 from 250 in the citation: pp. 225-50). If the excerpt spans multiple pages, use “pp.” Note that MLA style uses a hyphen in a span of pages.
If only one page of a print source is used, mark it with the abbreviation “p.” before the page number (e.g., p. 157). If a span of pages is used, mark it with the abbreviation “pp.” before the page number (e.g., pp. 157-68).
If you’re citing an article or a publication that was originally issued in print form but that you retrieved from an online database, you should type the online database name in italics. You do not need to provide subscription information in addition to the database name.
For online sources, you should include a location to show readers where you found the source. Many scholarly databases use a DOI (digital object identifier). Use a DOI in your citation if you can; otherwise use a URL. Delete “http://” from URLs. The DOI or URL is usually the last element in a citation and should be followed by a period.
All works cited entries end with a period.
5 pts
Meeting
The Works Cited page includes all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The Works Cited page includes most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
The Works Cited page is missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis Statement
There is a one sentence long thesis statement that appears toward the end of the introduction. It is specific and focuses on one to three points of a single idea—points that are able to be demonstrated in the body. It forecasts the content of the essay and suggests how you will organize your information. Remember that a thesis statement does not summarize an issue but rather dissects it. The thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis can lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. For example: While prescribed medications and mindfulness and meditation have both shown medical benefits to patients experiencing depression and anxiety such as….they differ in the areas of….
5 pts
Meeting
Thesis statement includes all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
Thesis statement includes most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
Thesis statement missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBody Paragraphs
Body paragraphs include topic sentence, background or context on the topic, organize compare/contrast body paragraphs either according to the subjects following by discussing one then the other or according to the individual points followed by discussing each subject in relation to the point, evidence (scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes) in each body paragraph following the Quotation Sandwich method
use phrases of comparison: one similarity, another similarity, both, like, likewise, similarly, in a similar fashion
use phrases of contrast: one difference, another difference, conversely, in contrast, unlike, while, whereas
transitions.
5 pts
Meeting
All body paragraphs includes all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
Most body paragraphs include most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
All or most body paragraphs missing all or most of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction
The introduction includes an interesting, shocking, or known fact or statistic, an anecdote or story, or asks a question, background on the essay topic, and a thesis statement.
5 pts
Meeting
The introduction includes all of the listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The introduction includes most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
The introduction is missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
The conclusion includes a call to action, a rhetorical question, an anecdote or story, or a quote by an expert or historical expert, wraps up discussion, reinforces the thesis, and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.
5 pts
Meeting
The conclusion includes all listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The conclusion includes most listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
The conclusion is missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePersonal Pronouns
The essay does not include first-person pronouns (I, me, we, and us) or second-person pronouns (you, your). Instead the essay uses nouns such as individuals, people, or a noun related to the topic—for example, if the essay’s topic is sports, the following nouns would be used in place of first-and-second-person pronouns: athletes, trainer, coach, etc.
5 pts
Meeting
The essay does not include any uses of first-and-second-person pronouns.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The essay may have a few uses of first-and-second-person pronouns.
0 pts
Not meeting
The essay has excessive uses of first-and-second-person pronouns.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCompare & Contrast Essay Structure
Essay includes all Compare & Contrast Essay formatting starting with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader.
5 pts
Meeting
The essay includes all listed requirements.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The essay includes most of the listed requirements.
0 pts
Not Meeting
The essay is missing most or all of the listed requirements.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePage Requirement
The essay meets the full page requirement.
5 pts
Meeting
The essay meets the full page requirement.
2.5 pts
Approaching
The essay meets at least half of the page requirement.
0 pts
Not Meeting
The essay does not meet the full page requirement.
5 pts
Total Points: 50
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