How to Format an MLA Works Cited Page (9th Ed): Rules & Examples
Step-by-step guide to formatting an MLA 9th edition Works Cited page: hanging indents, rules, alphabetical order, and double spacing with examples.
The Works Cited page in MLA 9th edition serves as the definitive source compilation for humanities research. Applying hanging indents, container hierarchies, and alphabetical sorting manually frequently leads to misplaced punctuation and citation errors.
This guide provides an exhaustive breakdown of MLA Works Cited formatting, detailing the nine core container elements and common reference models.
Core Architecture of an MLA Works Cited Page
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Formatting Your MLA Works Cited Page Without Stress
Formatting an MLA Works Cited page can feel like a frustrating waste of time. One misplaced period or an incorrect indent can derail your paper. Fortunately, mastering MLA 9th edition guidelines does not have to be a struggle.
The Modern Language Association updated its guidelines to streamline source citation. Whether citing scholarly books or websites, your Works Cited list must follow uniform structure.
1. Core Rules for Layout and Spacing
Your Works Cited section appears at the very end of your paper. It must start on a new page immediately following the main body of your paper.
Center the title Works Cited at the top of the page. Do not underline, italicize, or place quotes around it.
Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides and double-space every line. Do not add extra space between entries.
2. Setting Up Hanging Indents
Every reference entry longer than one line requires hanging indents (0.5″). This means the first line of the entry is flush with the left margin.
All subsequent lines in the entry are indented. This visually separates each citation in your bibliography.
3. Step-by-step cross-style conversion guides
Need to switch formats quickly? We offer step-by-step cross-style conversion guides. Converting your MLA Works Cited page to APA format is a common necessity.
Simply verify your author names, publication years, and title capitalization rules. Then, adjust your in-text citations from author-page to author-date.
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