When it comes to formatting academic papers, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is one of the most widely used styles in the humanities. One of the key aspects of MLA style is the header, which provides important information about the paper, such as the author's last name and the page number. In this article, we will provide 11 MLA style header tips to help you format your papers with ease.
Understanding MLA Style Headers
An MLA style header typically consists of the author’s last name and the page number, which are aligned in the upper right corner of the page. The header is an essential part of the MLA format, as it helps readers quickly identify the author and the page number. To create an MLA style header, you can use the “Header” feature in your word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
MLA Style Header Requirements
According to the MLA Handbook, the header should be formatted as follows:
- The author’s last name should be in uppercase letters.
- The page number should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).
- The header should be aligned in the upper right corner of the page.
- The header should be 0.5 inches from the top of the page.
It's also important to note that the header should not be underlined, bolded, or italicized. Additionally, the header should not include any other information, such as the title of the paper or the date.
Creating an MLA Style Header
To create an MLA style header, follow these steps:
- Open your word processing software and select the “Header” feature.
- Type in the author’s last name in uppercase letters.
- Insert the page number using the “Page Number” feature.
- Align the header in the upper right corner of the page.
- Set the header to be 0.5 inches from the top of the page.
By following these steps, you can create a properly formatted MLA style header that meets the requirements of the MLA Handbook.
11 MLA Style Header Tips
Here are 11 MLA style header tips to help you format your papers with ease:
- Use the “Header” feature in your word processing software to create the header.
- Uppercase letters should be used for the author’s last name.
- Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) should be used for the page number.
- The header should be aligned in the upper right corner of the page.
- The header should be 0.5 inches from the top of the page.
- Do not underline, bold, or italicize the header.
- Do not include any other information, such as the title of the paper or the date.
- Use the same header format throughout the paper.
- Make sure the header is consistent on all pages.
- Check the MLA Handbook for any updates or changes to the header requirements.
- Use the “Header” feature to automatically update the page number.
By following these tips, you can create a properly formatted MLA style header that meets the requirements of the MLA Handbook.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When creating an MLA style header, there are several common mistakes to avoid. These include:
- Using the wrong font or font size.
- Not aligning the header in the upper right corner of the page.
- Not using uppercase letters for the author’s last name.
- Not using Arabic numerals for the page number.
- Including other information, such as the title of the paper or the date.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a properly formatted MLA style header that meets the requirements of the MLA Handbook.
| MLA Style Header Requirements | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Author's last name in uppercase letters | The author's last name should be in uppercase letters. |
| Page number in Arabic numerals | The page number should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.). |
| Header aligned in the upper right corner | The header should be aligned in the upper right corner of the page. |
| Header 0.5 inches from the top | The header should be 0.5 inches from the top of the page. |
What is the purpose of the MLA style header?
+The MLA style header provides important information about the paper, such as the author’s last name and the page number, which helps readers quickly identify the author and the page number.
How do I create an MLA style header?
+To create an MLA style header, open your word processing software and select the “Header” feature. Type in the author’s last name in uppercase letters, insert the page number using the “Page Number” feature, and align the header in the upper right corner of the page.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when creating an MLA style header?
+The common mistakes to avoid when creating an MLA style header include using the wrong font or font size, not aligning the header in the upper right corner of the page, not using uppercase letters for the author’s last name, not using Arabic numerals for the page number, and including other information, such as the title of the paper or the date.
