Writing a research paper in Modern Language Association (MLA) style involves following specific guidelines for formatting, citing sources, and organizing content. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you write an MLA-style research paper:

1. Formatting:

Margins and Spacing:

• Set one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
• Use double spacing throughout the paper, including the Works Cited page.

Font:

• Use a legible font like Times New Roman.
• Use a 12-point font size.

Title Page:

• MLA generally doesn't require a title page. Include your name, instructor's name, course name, and date in the top left corner of the first page.
• Include a centered title on the first page.

2. In-Text Citations:

Basic Format:

• For in-text citations, use the author's last name and the page number in parentheses. For example: (Smith 45).
• If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses. For example: Smith argues that "quote" (45).

No Page Numbers:

• If the source doesn't have page numbers, use the author's name alone.

Two Authors:

• Use "and" between the authors' names. For example: (Smith and Jones 22).

Three or More Authors:

• Use the first author's name followed by "et al." For example: (Smith et al. 56).

Electronic Sources:

• Include the author's name (if available), or the title if there's no author, and the page number if applicable. If there's no page number, use the paragraph number or section heading.

3. Works Cited Page:

Basic Format:

• Title the page "Works Cited" and center it at the top of the page.
• List sources alphabetically by the author's last name (or title if no author).
• Use hanging indents for each entry (first line is flush left, subsequent lines indented).

Book Entry:

• Author's name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.

Article Entry:

• Author's name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.

Website Entry:

• Author's name (if available). Title of the website. Publisher, Publication Date (if available). URL.

4. Citations for Different Types of Sources:

Print Books:

• Follow the basic book entry format.

Electronic Books:

• Include the URL or DOI.

Journal Articles:

• Include volume and issue numbers.

Websites:

• Include the full URL.

5. Miscellaneous:

Quotations:

• Enclose direct quotes in double quotation marks.
• Long quotes (more than four lines) should be indented without quotation marks.

Paraphrasing:

• Even when paraphrasing, provide an in-text citation.

Check for Updates:

• MLA style guidelines may be updated, so it's essential to check for the latest edition.

6. Proofread and Revise:

• Before submitting your paper, carefully proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
• Ensure that all citations are accurate and properly formatted.

By following these guidelines, you can create a well-organized and properly formatted research paper in MLA style.