Creating an MLA cover page requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. When you’re writing a paper for school, it’s important to follow the rules for how it should look. One set of rules many teachers use is called MLA format. MLA stands for Modern Language Association. This format is often used for papers about language, literature, and other subjects in the humanities. Usually, MLA papers don’t need a separate page at the front, which we call a cover page. But sometimes, your teacher might ask you to make one. If they do, it’s good to know how to do it right.
A cover page is like the front door to your paper. It’s the first thing your teacher will see, so you want it to look neat and follow the rules. It tells your teacher important things like your name, the name of your class, and what your paper is about. Making a cover page might seem tricky at first, but don’t worry! It’s actually pretty simple once you know what to do. In this guide, we’ll talk about all the parts you need to put on your MLA cover page. We’ll explain where each part goes on the page and how it should look.
The Importance of a Well-Formatted Cover Page
The cover page, also known as the title page, is the first part of your document that readers encounter. It serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides essential information about the document, such as the title, author’s name, instructor’s name, course name, and date. Secondly, a well-formatted cover page sets a professional tone, indicating that the writer has adhered to academic standards. This initial impression can significantly influence how the reader perceives the quality of the work.
Moreover, adherence to MLA formatting guidelines ensures uniformity and consistency in academic writing. This uniformity helps readers navigate and comprehend the document more efficiently, especially when dealing with citations and references. Therefore, understanding and properly formatting an MLA cover page is an essential skill for students and researchers alike.
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When to Use a Cover Page
- Teacher’s Instructions: The main reason to use a cover page is when your teacher asks for one. Always follow your teacher’s specific instructions, even if they’re different from standard MLA rules.
- Long Papers: Sometimes, for longer papers like theses or dissertations, a cover page might be expected. These are big, important papers that often have their own special rules.
- Formal Submissions: If you’re submitting your paper to a journal or a conference, they might want a cover page. Always check their guidelines.
- Multiple Authors: When a paper has more than one writer, a cover page can be a good place to list all the authors clearly.
- Extra Information: If there’s important information about your paper that doesn’t fit in the regular MLA heading, a cover page can be useful. This might include things like a course code or a submission number.
- School Policy: Some schools or departments might have a policy that all papers should have a cover page. If your school has this rule, you should follow it.
Elements of an MLA Cover Page
- Your Full Name: This goes at the top of the page. Write your first and last name.
- Your Teacher’s Name: Put this below your name. Use their title (like “Mr.” or “Dr.”) and their full name.
- The Course Name: Write the name of your class under your teacher’s name. For example, “English 101” or “American History”.
- The Date: Put the date you’re turning in the paper. In MLA, write it like this: 1 July 2024.
- The Title of Your Paper: This goes in the middle of the page. Make it bigger than the other text. Don’t underline it or put it in quotes.
- Page Number: Put the page number in the top right corner. This cover page is usually page 1.
- Spacing and Margins: Use double spacing for all the text. Keep one-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Font: Use a clear, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman. The size should be 12 point.
How to Arrange the Elements on your MLA Cover Page
The MLA title page should include the following elements in this order:
- Your full name
- Your instructor’s name
- The course name and number
- The date the paper is due (in “day month year” format)
- The title of your paper, centered and in title case
The formatting guidelines for an MLA title page are:
- Double-spaced throughout
- Use a standard 12-point font like Times New Roman
- Align the text flush left, except for the title which should be centered
- Do not include a page number on the title page
Here is an example MLA title page:
Ishithaa Gopi
Professor Lucas Giakannis
Psychology 127
21 September 2021
- List your name, instructor’s name, course info, and date in that order
- Center the title of your paper
MLA vs. Other Formatting Styles
To further appreciate the specifics of MLA cover page formatting, it is useful to compare it with other common formatting styles, such as APA and Chicago.
APA Format
The American Psychological Association (APA) format, commonly used in social sciences, requires a title page. In APA 7th edition, student papers include the paper title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, course name and number, instructor’s name, and due date, all centered on the page. The page number appears in the top right corner.
Chicago Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is commonly used in history and some social sciences. The cover page in Chicago style is more detailed than in MLA and APA formats. It includes the title, author’s name, course name, instructor’s name, and date, similar to MLA. However, Chicago style often includes additional information, such as the subtitle of the paper and the university’s name.
These differences highlight the importance of understanding and adhering to the specific requirements of each formatting style. While the basic elements may be similar, the details and presentation can vary significantly.
Key Differences
| Feature | MLA (Modern Language Association) | APA (American Psychological Association) | Chicago | Harvard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field of Use | Humanities (language, literature) | Social sciences (psychology, sociology) | History, business, fine arts | Widely used in many disciplines |
| Font and Spacing | Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced | Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced | Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced | Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced |
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides | 1 inch on all sides | 1 inch on all sides | 1 inch on all sides |
| Title Page | No title page; heading on first page includes author’s name, instructor’s name, course, and date | Title page includes paper’s title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation | Title page includes paper’s title, author’s name, course, and date | Usually includes title page with paper’s title, author’s name, course, and date |
| Page Numbers | In the header, aligned to the right, with author’s last name preceding the page number | In the header, aligned to the right | In the header, aligned to the right or at the bottom center | In the header, aligned to the right |
| In-Text Citations | Author-page format (e.g., (Papadopoulos 123)) | Author-date format (e.g., (Papadopoulos, 2020)) | Author-Date (e.g., (Papadopoulos, 2020)) or Notes-Bibliography (footnotes or endnotes) | Author-date format (e.g., (Papadopoulos, 2020)) |
| Reference/Bibliography Title | “Works Cited” centered at the top | “References” centered at the top | “Bibliography” or “References” centered at the top | “References” centered at the top |
| Reference List/Bibliography | Alphabetically by author’s last name; includes author’s name, title of work, publisher, and publication date | Alphabetically by author’s last name; includes author’s name, publication year, title of work, and source | Alphabetically by author’s last name; includes author’s name, title of work, publisher, and publication date | Alphabetically by author’s last name; includes author’s name, publication year, title of work, and source |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When creating an MLA cover page, there are several common mistakes that writers should avoid:
- Incorrect Formatting: Ensure that all elements are centered, double-spaced, and in the correct font and size.
- Omitting Information: Do not leave out any required elements, such as the date or course name.
- Using Decorative Fonts: Stick to standard fonts like Times New Roman. Decorative fonts can make the text hard to read and appear unprofessional.
- Inconsistent Margins: Ensure that the margins are consistently set to 1 inch on all sides.
- Incorrect Date Format: Use the day-month-year format as specified by MLA guidelines.
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FAQs
Should the title be in a larger font size or in all capital letters?
No, the title should be in the same font and size as the rest of the paper (typically Times New Roman, 12 pt), and only the first letters of major words should be capitalized.
Should I include the instructor’s title in the heading?
It is optional to include the instructor’s title. If you choose to include it, use their academic title (e.g., Professor Giakannis).
Do I need to put the title of my paper in quotation marks?
No, the title should not be placed in quotation marks, italicized, or underlined. It should be written in plain text.
Do I need to include a header with my last name and page number?
Yes, a header with your last name and page number should be included in the upper right corner of every page, including the first page.
