The format of your research paper would depend on the condition given by your professor. You may be required to learn the American Psychological Association or APA research paper outline, or you may also need to use the Harvard citation style, while some instructors may require you to utilize the Modern Language Association or MLA format paper.

Research paper requirements may force students to become skilled at many writing tasks. Aside from selecting good research topics, they also need to gain knowledge of other writing undertakings. As they get trained on how to do a research paper, in due course, they also become familiar with numerous research paper formats.

MLA writing outline is normally utilized for Humanities and Liberal Arts subjects. This is said to be most commonly used for it is simple and uncomplicated, in comparison to other writing and citation styles. MLA does not even require a title page. However, it is important to read the guidelines when you are asked to use this writing style.

Your paper must have a 12 point Times New Roman font or any legible print such as Arial. Each side should have one inch margin. Your paper should also be double-spaced.

In-text citation guide:

1.  Use quotation marks to cite the work(s) of other authors, the immediately after the quote, mention the name of your author, followed by the page number (inside a parenthesis). For example, “The idea of the legalization of abortion had been strongly argued by the two parties.” (Luna p6).
2. When no author name can be found on the document, the title of the work may be used. Your title must also be placed in quotation marks, however, when for longer works, have them italicized.

Your Works Cited List:

There are numbers of rules on citing your references, depending on the type of your sources.
BOOKS. State the name of the author, last name first, followed by the first name, then period. The title of the book must go after, then, the place of the publication, the name of the Publisher comes next, and followed by the year the book had been published.

THESIS. This work can be cited as you would cite a book. However, you must include the word “Diss” or “MA” to indicate that you have used a dissertation or a thesis; you must also include the name of the University.

WEBSITE. State the name of the website. This must be followed by the date of publishing. When possible, mention the name of the organization associated with the website. State the date you have accessed the site, followed by the electronic address.

BLOG. Mention the name of the author of the weblog, last name, first name. Title of the Blog. Date Published, and the date you have accessed the blog.

There are several guidelines that you have to be familiar with when you are tasked to utilize the MLA format paper. It is important to take note, and take the time to glance at manuals or books that explicate the standards of this writing format.