MLA 9th Edition Guide

MLA 9 requires 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. This applies to all pages including the Works Cited. The header containing your last name and page number sits 0.5 inches from the top edge within this margin area. SimpleFormat Pro applies these exact margin settings automatically, eliminating manual ruler adjustments and ensuring your document meets MLA specifications from the first page to the last.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 does not mandate a specific font—it recommends any easily readable typeface where regular and italic type are clearly distinguishable, in a standard size such as 12 point. Times New Roman is commonly used but not required; Arial, Calibri, and Georgia are also acceptable. The key requirement is consistency throughout the document. SimpleFormat Pro lets you choose from MLA-compliant fonts and applies your selection uniformly across the entire document.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 requires double-spacing (2.0 line spacing) throughout the entire document with no exceptions. This includes the heading block, body paragraphs, block quotations, Works Cited entries, and notes. Leave only one space after periods. There should be no extra space between paragraphs or before/after headings. SimpleFormat Pro automatically applies true double-spacing everywhere, preventing the common error of mixed spacing that causes point deductions.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The MLA 9 header appears in the top-right corner of every page, 0.5 inches from the top edge, flush with the right margin. It contains only your last name followed by a space and the page number (e.g., 'Smith 1'). No punctuation separates the name and number. Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), not Roman numerals. The header appears on every page including the first page. SimpleFormat Pro generates this header automatically using the author name you provide.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The MLA heading block appears on the first page only, in the upper left corner, one inch from the top. It consists of four double-spaced lines: (1) your full name, (2) instructor's name, (3) course name and number, and (4) the date in Day Month Year format (e.g., 15 January 2026). The paper title follows after another double-space, centered but not bolded, italicized, or underlined unless it contains a work title. SimpleFormat Pro creates this block automatically from your wizard inputs.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

No, standard MLA 9 format does not use a separate title page. Instead, the heading block with student information appears at the top of the first page of text, followed by the centered title. However, some instructors or institutions may require a title page, and MLA does allow title pages for group projects with multiple authors. SimpleFormat Pro supports both formats: the standard heading block or an optional title page when your instructor requires one.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The paper title is centered on the line following the heading block, using Title Case capitalization (capitalize major words). The title should NOT be bolded, italicized, underlined, placed in quotation marks, or in all caps. Exception: if your title includes the title of another work, format that embedded title appropriately (italics for books, quotation marks for articles). Do not add a period after the title. SimpleFormat Pro centers and formats titles correctly, handling embedded work titles appropriately.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Every new paragraph in MLA 9 must be indented 0.5 inches (one half-inch or one Tab key press) from the left margin. This applies to all body paragraphs without exception. Do NOT use extra line spacing between paragraphs—only the indent signals a new paragraph. Block quotations are also indented 0.5 inches but have no additional first-line indent. SimpleFormat Pro automatically applies correct indentation to all paragraphs while handling block quotes separately.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The Works Cited begins on a new page after the essay text. 'Works Cited' (or 'Work Cited' for a single source) is centered at the top—not bolded, italicized, or underlined. Entries are double-spaced with no extra space between them. Each entry uses a hanging indent: the first line is flush left, subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches. Entries are alphabetized by the first element (usually author's last name). SimpleFormat Pro automatically creates a properly formatted Works Cited page with correct hanging indents and alphabetization.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 uses a 'container' system with nine core elements in order: (1) Author, (2) Title of Source, (3) Title of Container, (4) Other Contributors, (5) Version, (6) Number, (7) Publisher, (8) Publication Date, and (9) Location. A container is the larger work holding the source (e.g., a journal containing an article, a website hosting a video). Sources can have multiple containers (e.g., an article in a journal accessed through a database). Not every source has all elements—include what's available and relevant.

Source: MLA Handbook 9th ed.; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Page numbers appear in the header area, 0.5 inches from the top of each page, flush right. The page number is preceded by your last name and a single space (e.g., 'Johnson 3'). Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) throughout, starting with page 1 on the first page of text. Do not use 'p.' or 'pg.' abbreviations. MLA does not use Roman numerals for front matter in standard student papers. SimpleFormat Pro inserts correctly positioned page numbers with your last name on every page automatically.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

When a title is too long to fit on one line, continue it on the next line, keeping the entire title centered. Double-space between lines of a multi-line title just as you would the rest of the paper. Do not add extra space above or below the title. A subtitle, if present, follows a colon and begins with a capital letter. SimpleFormat Pro handles multi-line titles automatically, maintaining proper centering and spacing regardless of title length.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Block quotations are used for prose quotations longer than four lines or poetry longer than three lines. Note: MLA uses LINE count, not word count (unlike APA's 40-word rule). The entire quotation is indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, with no additional first-line indent. Quotation marks are omitted since the indentation signals a quote. The parenthetical citation follows the final punctuation (period comes before the citation). Double-spacing continues throughout. SimpleFormat Pro identifies and formats block quotations correctly when you mark them in your text.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Short poetry quotations (three lines or fewer) can be run into the text with quotation marks, using a forward slash with spaces on each side ( / ) to indicate line breaks. Longer poetry quotations (four or more lines) use block format: indent 0.5 inches from the left margin, preserve the poet's original line breaks exactly, and omit quotation marks. If a line is too long to fit, continue on the next line with additional indentation. SimpleFormat Pro preserves poetry line breaks and applies correct formatting for both inline and block poetry quotations.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9's core formatting rules (margins, spacing, font, header) apply uniformly to essays, research papers, and literary analyses. However, longer works like theses may require additional front matter (abstract, table of contents, dedication) following institutional guidelines. Some instructors require title pages for certain assignments. The Works Cited format remains consistent regardless of paper type. SimpleFormat Pro accommodates these variations through its wizard questions, adapting output to your specific requirements.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA uses the terms 'running head' and 'header' interchangeably—they refer to the same thing: your last name and page number in the top-right corner of every page. Unlike APA, which has a separate 'Running head:' with a shortened title, MLA's header contains ONLY your last name and page number. There is no title in the header. If an instructor requests a 'running head' with a title, they may want APA format—clarify with them. SimpleFormat Pro creates the standard MLA header automatically.

Source: MLA Handbook 9th ed.; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 uses the Day Month Year format (e.g., 15 January 2026) in the heading block. In Works Cited entries, abbreviate months with five or more letters: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. Do NOT abbreviate May, June, or July. In the body of your paper, either Day Month Year or Month Day, Year is acceptable, but be consistent throughout. SimpleFormat Pro applies MLA date formatting consistently throughout your document.

Source: Scribbr; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA does not prescribe specific rules for epigraphs, but the MLA Style Center provides guidance. Place the epigraph at the start of your work, chapter, or section. It is typically not in quotation marks and may be italicized or in a different font (optional). Attribute the source below the epigraph, often preceded by a dash. Do NOT include the epigraph in your Works Cited unless you discuss it in your paper. Epigraphs are ornamental; using copyrighted material may require permission. SimpleFormat Pro can format epigraphs according to these scholarly conventions.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Yes, MLA 9 permits footnotes or endnotes for supplementary information that would disrupt the text flow—but MLA discourages extensive use. Use superscript Arabic numerals (not asterisks) in the text after punctuation. Notes are for additional commentary, not for citations (use parenthetical citations for sources). If using endnotes, title the page 'Notes' and place it before the Works Cited. First line is indented 0.5 inches. All sources mentioned in notes must also appear in Works Cited. SimpleFormat Pro supports both footnotes and endnotes in MLA format.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

When submitting multiple essays or distinct sections in one document, each new essay/section typically begins on a fresh page. Include your heading block on the first page of each new section if submitting separate essays. For a single paper with multiple sections, MLA recommends numbering sections with an Arabic number and period followed by the section name. Headings should generally be flush left (except the paper title, which is centered). SimpleFormat Pro handles multi-section documents with proper heading hierarchy and page breaks as needed.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Yes, MLA 9 provides a flexible heading system, though it is less prescriptive than APA. The paper or chapter title is the most prominent (centered). Subsequent levels should have decreasing visual prominence—use font styling (bold, italics) and size to signal hierarchy. There is no fixed number of levels; most student papers use only one or two. All headings at the same level must be styled identically. Capitalize headings like titles. MLA recommends flush-left headings to avoid confusion with block quotations. SimpleFormat Pro applies heading levels correctly when you mark them in your text.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 section headings should be formatted consistently throughout your paper. Use Title Case capitalization. Headings are generally flush left (except the paper title, which is centered). Avoid underlining headings. Include a line space above and below headings for readability. Do not use numbers, letters, or bullets for headings unless conventional in your discipline. The text begins on the next double-spaced line after a heading—no extra space beyond standard double-spacing. SimpleFormat Pro automatically formats headings according to MLA specifications.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA generally recommends avoiding numbers and letters to designate headings, as humanities writing favors a more fluid, prose-based structure. However, Purdue OWL notes that MLA recommends numbering sections with 'an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section name' when numbering is used. The key is consistency—if you use numbered headings, a heading labeled '1' requires a subsequent '2.' Follow your instructor's or discipline's conventions. SimpleFormat Pro can apply numbered heading formats when your assignment specifically requires them.

Source: MLA Style Center; Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA does not typically require an abstract—the MLA Handbook does not prescribe abstracts for short works like research papers and essays. However, if an instructor or journal requires an abstract, the MLA Style Center advises: there is no single correct format; instructors should decide what works best. Common practice: center 'Abstract' at the top (no bold, italics, or quotation marks), write a single double-spaced paragraph with no first-line indent, and keep it to 100-250 words. SimpleFormat Pro can generate an abstract page when required for your submission.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA research papers follow this structure: First page with heading block (name, instructor, course, date in upper left), centered title, then body text beginning immediately. Body paragraphs are double-spaced with 0.5-inch first-line indents. Works Cited begins on a new page after the body. Unlike APA, MLA does not prescribe specific sections like Method or Results—the structure follows your argument's logic. Long papers may use section headings for organization. Every page has a header with last name and page number.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA does not prescribe a specific outline format, but standard academic practice uses a hierarchical alphanumeric system: Roman numerals (I, II, III) for main headings, capital letters (A, B, C) for subheadings, Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for supporting details, and lowercase letters (a, b, c) for further subdivisions. Place a period after each numeral/letter. The outline should be double-spaced. If required, place the outline after the title page (if used) but before the essay. A formal outline is optional unless your instructor requires it.

Source: Academic convention; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The conclusion in MLA format has no special formatting—it continues with the same double-spacing, indentation, and font as the body paragraphs. Do not label it 'Conclusion' unless your paper uses section headings throughout (in which case consistency requires it). The conclusion should synthesize your argument without introducing new ideas or research. After your final paragraph, the Works Cited begins on a new page. SimpleFormat Pro maintains consistent formatting through your conclusion.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA 9 uses the author-page method: (Author's Last Name Page#) with no comma between author and page, and no 'p.' or 'pg.' abbreviation. Example: (Smith 45). The period goes AFTER the closing parenthesis. If the author is mentioned in the sentence, include only the page number in parentheses: Smith argues that 'evidence supports this claim' (45). For sources without page numbers, use other locators if available or author name only. SimpleFormat Pro helps you understand citation format, though you must create the citations themselves.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

For two authors, include both last names joined by 'and' in the parenthetical citation: (Smith and Jones 78). In a signal phrase: Smith and Jones argue that... (78). Always use 'and' (not an ampersand '&')—the ampersand is APA style, not MLA. Both authors must be listed every time you cite the source; there's no shortening to first author only as in APA. SimpleFormat Pro ensures your Works Cited entries include both authors in the correct format.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

For three or more authors, use only the first author's last name followed by 'et al.': (Johnson et al. 234). 'Et al.' is Latin for 'and others.' Do not italicize 'et al.' Note the period after 'al' (it's an abbreviation). In prose, you may write 'and others' or 'and colleagues' instead. In the Works Cited, you may list all authors or use the first author followed by 'et al.'—be consistent throughout your paper. SimpleFormat Pro formats multi-author Works Cited entries correctly.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

When citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title after the author name to distinguish them: (Smith, 'Democracy' 45) and (Smith, 'Republic' 112). Note the comma after the author name. Use quotation marks for article/chapter/short work titles and italics for book/film titles. In the Works Cited, arrange the author's works alphabetically by title, using three hyphens (---) followed by a period to replace the author's name after the first entry. SimpleFormat Pro maintains proper alphabetization in your Works Cited.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

When citing a source you found quoted within another source, use 'qtd. in' (quoted in): According to Porter, 'the data suggests...' (qtd. in Williams 89). Only the source you actually read (Williams) appears in Works Cited, not the original source (Porter). The MLA Handbook (p. 284) advises using indirect citations sparingly—track down the original source when possible for accuracy and to avoid misrepresentation. SimpleFormat Pro formats Works Cited entries for the sources you directly consulted.

Source: MLA Style Center; MLA Handbook 9th ed.; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

When no author is identified, use a shortened version of the title in the parenthetical citation. Use quotation marks for article/webpage titles: ('Global Trends' 15). Use italics for book/website/film titles: (Climate Report 23). The shortened title should begin with the same word as the full title for easy alphabetization. In Works Cited, the entry begins with the title. Do NOT use 'Anonymous' unless the work is actually signed as 'Anonymous.' SimpleFormat Pro alphabetizes Works Cited entries by title when no author is available.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Many digital sources lack page numbers. If alternative locators exist, use them with a comma after the author name: paragraph numbers (Smith, par. 4), chapter numbers (Smith, ch. 3), section headings (Smith, Introduction), or timestamps for videos (00:04:32). If no locators are available, use only the author name: (Martinez). Never invent or estimate page numbers. SimpleFormat Pro accommodates various locator types in your document formatting.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

To cite multiple sources together, separate them with semicolons: (Smith 45; Jones 112; Williams 78). Citations within the parentheses do not need to be in alphabetical order—arrange them as makes sense for your argument. For multiple locations in the SAME source, use commas: (Smith 12, 45, 78). For multiple works by the same author, include shortened titles: (Smith, 'First' 45; Smith, 'Second' 89). SimpleFormat Pro ensures your Works Cited includes all sources referenced.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

For regular in-text citations (short quotations of four lines or fewer), the period goes AFTER the closing parenthesis: 'Evidence supports this claim' (Smith 45). For block quotations (more than four lines of prose), the period goes BEFORE the parenthetical citation: ...the results were conclusive. (Smith 45) This is a common error that can cost points—the placement differs between short and block quotes. SimpleFormat Pro cannot automatically correct citation punctuation, but following this rule ensures proper formatting.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

For sacred texts, include the italicized title of the version you're using in your first citation, followed by book, chapter, and verse: (New Jerusalem Bible, Ezek. 1.5-10). In subsequent citations using the same version, omit the version name: (1 Chron. 21.8-11). Abbreviate book names following MLA conventions (Gen., Exod., Matt., etc.). Do NOT italicize generic names like Bible, Talmud, or Qur'an in prose—only italicize specific edition titles. Include the specific edition in your Works Cited.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Center 'Works Cited' at the top of a new page. Do NOT bold, italicize, underline, or put quotation marks around the title—it appears in regular font, same as the body text. Use 'Work Cited' (singular) if you have only one source. The title should be in the same font and size as the rest of your paper. The first entry begins on the next double-spaced line. SimpleFormat Pro creates the Works Cited heading with correct formatting automatically.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

A hanging indent is the opposite of a paragraph indent: the first line of each Works Cited entry is flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches (half inch). This format makes it easy to scan alphabetically by the first element (usually author's last name). Every Works Cited entry uses this format. In Microsoft Word: Paragraph > Special > Hanging. SimpleFormat Pro automatically applies hanging indents to all Works Cited entries, preventing the common formatting error of standard indentation.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Alphabetize letter-by-letter by the first element of each entry, which is usually the author's last name. Ignore 'A,' 'An,' and 'The' at the beginning of titles when alphabetizing. For authors with the same last name, alphabetize by first name. For multiple works by the same author, alphabetize by title (using three hyphens for subsequent entries). If using a pseudonym, use the better-known name. Do NOT number entries or organize by source type. SimpleFormat Pro alphabetizes your Works Cited entries according to MLA rules.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Basic book format: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year. Example: Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004. The title is italicized. Include additional elements when relevant: editors (edited by Name), translators (translated by Name), edition (2nd ed.), volume. For e-books, add 'e-book ed.' or the platform name. Publisher location is no longer required in MLA 9. SimpleFormat Pro guides you through entering book information and formats the entry correctly.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format: Author. 'Article Title.' Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#. Database Name, DOI or URL. Example: Case, Sue-Ellen. 'Eve's Apple.' Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 43, no. 3, 1997, pp. 631-50. Project Muse, doi:10.1353/mfs.1997.0056. Article titles use quotation marks; journal names are italicized. Include DOI (preferred) or URL for online articles. SimpleFormat Pro formats journal citations with correct punctuation and italicization.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format: Author (if known). 'Page Title.' Website Name, Publisher (if different from website name), Day Month Year, URL. Example: Williams, Sarah. 'New Discovery.' Science Daily, 15 Jan. 2024, www.sciencedaily.com/article. If no author, begin with the page title. If the publisher is the same as the website name, omit the publisher to avoid redundancy. Remove 'http://' or 'https://' from URLs unless the link requires it. SimpleFormat Pro formats website citations according to MLA 9 specifications.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Yes, MLA 9 recommends including URLs for online sources. Remove 'http://' or 'https://' unless the URL won't work without it. DOIs are preferred over URLs when available—format as https://doi.org/xxxxx. Do NOT hyperlink URLs (remove blue color and underlining) in printed documents. Break long URLs before punctuation marks if needed. If your instructor prefers no URLs, follow their guidance. SimpleFormat Pro includes properly formatted URLs in Works Cited entries for online sources.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

List works alphabetically by title. For the first entry, include the full author name. For subsequent entries by the same author, replace the name with three hyphens followed by a period (---.). MLA accepts either three hyphens or a 3-em dash—publishers often convert hyphens to em-dashes. Each entry still uses a hanging indent. If an author appears alone and with co-authors, list the solo entries first. If the author has different co-authors, write out all names (don't use three hyphens). SimpleFormat Pro applies the three-hyphen rule correctly.

Source: MLA Style Center; Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format varies by emphasis. By title: Title. Directed by First Last, performances by Actor Names, Distributor, Year. Example: Inception. Directed by Christopher Nolan, performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, Warner Bros., 2010. By director: Director Last, First, director. Title. Distributor, Year. Choose based on your paper's focus. For streaming services, add the platform as a second container. SimpleFormat Pro formats film citations with correct contributor order.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

If creator is known: Creator Name. 'Video Title.' YouTube, Day Month Year, URL. If creator is unclear: 'Video Title.' YouTube, uploaded by Account Name, Day Month Year, URL. Example: Beyoncé. 'Pretty Hurts.' YouTube, 24 Apr. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXQLa-5n5w. Use the video's upload date, not when you accessed it. If the video is a complete work (like a film), cite the original work and add YouTube as a second container. SimpleFormat Pro formats video citations according to MLA 9 guidelines.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format: Host Last, First, host/narrator. 'Episode Title.' Podcast Title, season #, episode #, Publisher, Date, URL. Example: Gladwell, Malcolm, narrator. 'The Lady Vanishes.' Revisionist History, season 1, episode 1, Slate Group, 2016, revisionisthistory.com/seasons. For app-based listening, include the app name: iTunes app. Include as much information as available. SimpleFormat Pro can format podcast citations when you provide episode details.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Song from physical media: Artist. 'Song Title.' Album Title, Label, Year. Format (e.g., Vinyl EP). Example: Snail Mail. 'Thinning.' Habit, Sister Polygon Records, 2016. Song from streaming: Artist. 'Song Title.' Platform Name, URL. Album: Artist. Album Title. Label, Year. For streaming, add the platform: Spotify, open.spotify.com/album/xxxxx. Begin with the element you're emphasizing (artist, album, or song). SimpleFormat Pro formats music citations with correct italicization patterns.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Viewed in person: Artist Last, First. Title of Work. Year, Museum Name, City. Example: Bearden, Romare. The Train. 1975, Museum of Modern Art, New York. Viewed online: Artist Last, First. Title of Work. Year. Website Name, URL. Example: Bearden, Romare. The Train. 1975. MOMA, www.moma.org/collection/works/65232. Medium/materials (oil on canvas) can be added as an optional element if relevant to your discussion. SimpleFormat Pro accommodates artwork citations.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format: Author/Account. 'Full text of post or description up to first 20 words...' Platform, Day Month Year, Time (if shown), URL. Example: Smith, Clint. 'Today is Frederick Douglass' 200th birthday...' Twitter, 14 Feb. 2018, twitter.com/ClintSmithIII/status/963810866964639745. Keep original spelling and hashtags. If real name and handle are both known: Rose, Adam [@therealarose]. Access date is optional unless content can be edited or lacks a publication date. SimpleFormat Pro can format social media citations following MLA guidelines.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Online/recorded speech: Speaker Last, First. 'Title of Lecture.' Website Name, Date, URL. Example: Allende, Isabel. 'Tales of Passion.' TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, Jan. 2008, www.ted.com/talks/isabel_allende_tells_tales_of_passion. In-person conference: Speaker Last, First. 'Title.' Conference Name, Date, Location. Type of Presentation. Class lecture: Instructor Last, First. 'Title.' Course Name, Date, Institution. Class lecture. SimpleFormat Pro formats lecture and speech citations when you provide event details.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Personal interview: Interviewee Last, First. Personal interview. Day Month Year. Published interview: Interviewee Last, First. Interview by Interviewer Name. Publication/Program, Publisher, Date. Example: Breslin, Jimmy. Interview by Neal Conan. Talk of the Nation, WBUR, 26 Mar. 2002. If the interview has a title, include it in quotation marks after the interviewee's name. For published interviews, cite according to where you found them. SimpleFormat Pro formats interview citations based on type and context.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Print: 'Entry Title, Part of Speech.' Dictionary Title, Edition, Publisher, Year, p. #. Example: 'Content, N. (4).' Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., Merriam-Webster, 2003, p. 269. Online: 'Entry Title.' Dictionary Title, Publisher, URL. If alphabetically organized, page/volume numbers may be omitted. Include author name if the entry is signed. In-text, use ('Entry,' def. #) format for specific definitions. SimpleFormat Pro formats reference work citations appropriately.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Format: Government Body. Title of Document. Edition, Department/Agency, Date, URL. Example: United States, Congress, Senate. Anti-Phishing Act of 2005. Congress.gov, www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/472. Treat the government body as the corporate author, moving from largest to smallest unit (country, branch, specific body). If the author and publisher are the same entity, omit one to avoid redundancy. Include report numbers if available. SimpleFormat Pro formats government document citations with correct hierarchy.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) are preferred over URLs for scholarly articles because they are permanent. Format the DOI as a URL: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx. Example: Neill, Christine. 'Rising Student Employment.' Education Economics, vol. 23, no. 1, 2015, pp. 101-121, https://doi.org/10.1080/09645292.2013.818104. Place the DOI at the end of the Works Cited entry. You may include or omit the period after the DOI. SimpleFormat Pro includes DOIs in the correct format when you provide them.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Access dates are optional in MLA 9 but recommended when: (1) the source lacks a publication date, (2) the content is likely to change (wikis, social media), or (3) the source may be edited or deleted. Format: Accessed Day Month Year. Place before the URL. Reliable, stable sources with publication dates generally don't require access dates. When in doubt, include it—extra information doesn't hurt, and some instructors require it. SimpleFormat Pro can include access dates when appropriate for your source type.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Cite e-books like print books, then add 'e-book ed.' in the Version element: Author. Title. Edition, e-book ed., Publisher, Year. Example: MLA Handbook. 9th ed., e-book ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2021. You may also specify the format (EPUB, MOBI) if content varies by format: MLA Handbook. 8th ed., e-book ed., MLA, 2016. EPUB. Do NOT include library names. Avoid device-specific page numbering in citations. SimpleFormat Pro formats e-book citations with the appropriate format indicator.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA does not treat PDFs as a separate source type. Cite the document based on what it IS (article, report, book chapter), not its file format. Include the website and URL where you accessed it. You may optionally add 'PDF file' or 'PDF download' at the end to clarify the access format. Example: Author. 'Title.' Website Name, Date, URL. PDF download. If it's a scanned copy of a print source, cite the original print information plus the digital location as a container. SimpleFormat Pro formats citations based on source type.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

The database is a second container. Format: Author. 'Article Title.' Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Date, pp. #-#. Database Name, DOI or URL. Example: Best, David, and Sharon Marcus. 'Surface Reading.' Representations, vol. 108, no. 1, Fall 2009, pp. 1-21. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.1525/rep.2009.108.1.1. Use the specific database name (e.g., Academic Search Complete), not the provider name (EBSCOhost), unless you searched multiple databases at once. Italicize the database name. SimpleFormat Pro formats database citations with proper container hierarchy.

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Label: 'Table' followed by an Arabic numeral (Table 1, Table 2)—flush left, above the table, no punctuation after. Title: On the next line, provide a descriptive caption in Title Case. Tables are aligned flush left to the margin. Source information appears below the table, preceded by 'Source:' and a colon. Use superscript lowercase letters (a, b, c) for explanatory notes. All labels, captions, and notes are double-spaced. In your text, refer to 'table 1' (lowercase). SimpleFormat Pro can format tables with correct MLA labeling.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Label: 'Fig.' followed by an Arabic numeral and period (Fig. 1.)—placed BELOW the image (unlike tables). Caption: Begins on the same line as the label, providing a description and/or source. Example: 'Fig. 1. Mary Cassatt, Mother and Child, Wichita Art Museum.' Captions must maintain 1-inch margins. In your text, refer to 'fig. 1' (lowercase). Figures include photographs, maps, drawings, graphs, and charts. Double-space captions. SimpleFormat Pro formats figure labels and captions according to MLA standards.

Source: MLA Style Center; Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Place tables and figures as close as possible to the text that discusses them—typically immediately after the paragraph that first references them. Tables are aligned flush left; figures have no specific alignment requirement. Only include visuals if they add substantive information—MLA recommends using them sparingly. An image is not a substitute for explanation; it should enhance the reading. If your instructor prefers all visuals at the end, create an appendix. Always refer to tables/figures in your text.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

For tables: Source information appears below the table, beginning with 'Source:' followed by citation details. Do NOT invert the author's first name (use 'John Smith' not 'Smith, John'). For figures: Include the source in the caption on the same line as 'Fig. 1.' If full bibliographic information is in the caption AND the source is not cited elsewhere, no Works Cited entry is needed. If you only reference (but don't reproduce) a visual, it MUST be in Works Cited. SimpleFormat Pro formats source attributions for tables and figures.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

MLA does not prescribe strict appendix rules, but the MLA Style Center provides guidance. Placement: BEFORE the Works Cited (order: Appendix → Notes → Works Cited). Label: 'Appendix' centered at top of new page; use 'Appendix A,' 'Appendix B' for multiple appendices. Include a short, descriptive title. Format content appropriately: prose uses paragraphs, lists may be numbered or bulleted, bibliographies use hanging indents. Let the content guide the format choice. Reference appendices in your text: '(see Appendix A).'

Source: MLA Style Center; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

All non-table visuals are labeled 'Figure' or 'Fig.' followed by an Arabic numeral. Label and caption appear directly BELOW the illustration. Each image must include: label, number, caption, and/or source information. Maintain 1-inch margins. Use images sparingly—only if they enhance your argument, not as decoration. Be aware of copyright; even with citation, some images may require permission. Captions can be brief (with full citation in Works Cited) or include complete bibliographic information. SimpleFormat Pro accommodates image placement with proper MLA labeling.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Musical illustrations use 'Example' (abbreviated 'Ex.'), NOT 'Figure.' Number separately from figures: Ex. 1, Ex. 2, etc. Caption appears below the example: 'Ex. 1. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony no. 3 in E flat, opus 55 (Eroica), first movement, opening.' In your text, refer to 'example 1' or 'ex. 1' (lowercase). Charts and graphs use 'Fig.' labeling like other visual materials. Include full score citation in Works Cited if referenced elsewhere. Place examples near relevant text discussion.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Top errors include: (1) Adding 'p.' before page numbers or comma between author and page—wrong: (Smith, p. 23), right: (Smith 23); (2) Period in wrong place—goes AFTER parenthetical citation for short quotes; (3) Using ampersand (&) instead of 'and' for multiple authors (that's APA); (4) Missing hanging indents in Works Cited; (5) Not double-spacing throughout; (6) Bolding/italicizing/underlining the paper title; (7) Using 'Bibliography' or 'References' instead of 'Works Cited'; (8) Wrong date format (use Day Month Year); (9) Numbering Works Cited entries. SimpleFormat Pro automatically prevents all these common mistakes.

Source: Purdue OWL; Excelsior OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

Verified MLA 9 checklist: ✓ 1-inch margins all sides ✓ Readable font, 12pt (e.g., Times New Roman) ✓ Double-spacing throughout (no extra spaces) ✓ Header: Last name + page number, upper right, 0.5" from top ✓ Heading block: name, instructor, course, date (Day Month Year) ✓ Centered title (not bold/italic/underlined) ✓ 0.5-inch first-line paragraph indents ✓ Works Cited on new page, 'Works Cited' centered ✓ Hanging indents on all entries ✓ Alphabetical order ✓ In-text: (Author Page) with no comma, period after parenthesis. SimpleFormat Pro handles all these automatically.

Source: Purdue OWL; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro

SimpleFormat Pro provides instant MLA 9 formatting in minutes rather than hours. Simply paste your content, select MLA 9, answer a few questions about your paper (author info, heading preferences), and download a perfectly formatted Word document. Manual formatting requires checking dozens of rules across margins, spacing, headers, indentation, and Works Cited formatting—a process that typically takes 1-3 hours. SimpleFormat Pro applies all 47+ MLA rules automatically, ensuring compliance and saving you time—free for up to 5 pages, then from $9.99.

Source: SimpleFormat Pro; Applied by: SimpleFormat Pro