MLA 9 Template

No. Unlike APA, MLA skips the separate page entirely: the template opens straight into a heading block on page one with your name, instructor, course and date, then a centered title in plain text, no bold, no italics, no larger font.

Your last name and the page number, right-aligned on every page (“Jones 1”, “Jones 2,” and so on). It’s one of the most commonly missed MLA requirements, which is why the template calls it out with its own note.

Author’s last name and the page number, with no comma and no year, like (Ellis 32). The template’s body text uses several real citations in context, so you can see the pattern rather than just a rule on a page.

Bold and left-aligned, not centered the way APA’s are. The template uses this style for its own internal headings, so you can copy the formatting directly rather than guessing at font weight and alignment.

Alphabetically by author surname, with a hanging indent, matching the list at the end of the template. Titles of standalone works, like books or whole websites, are italicized; titles of shorter works within them, like articles or individual pages, sit in quotation marks.

Yes, you’re welcome to share it in its original format (no editing allowed). If you post about it on your blog or social media, please reference this page as your source.

Yes, our free APA 7th edition template covers the same ground for APA-style papers.

Yes. If you’d like feedback on more than just formatting, our coaches can help you strengthen the actual writing and argument too. Get in touch to discuss our private coaching services.