The MLA format template is commonly recommended for writing research papers and essays that deal with the subject of literature and languages. Established by the Modern Language Association (MLA), the MLA format template is widely considered as the standard style for formatting reports, research papers, manuscripts, and scholarly documents in many high schools, colleges and universities.
A variety of characteristics make the MLA format template different from other template styles, and it follows certain technical conventions. In MLA style, for example, a title or cover page is officially not required, unless specifically requested by your instructor. Your paper must be typed on standard-sized 8.5 x 11 inch paper, with 1 inch margins on all sides. The entire text of your essay must be double spaced, and must use the Times New Roman typeface, 12-point size.
The title of your work must appear on top of the first page, aligned to center and typed in standard capitalization. You do not need to underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. After the title, you need to press the enter key twice (double space) before typing the first line of your essay. You do not need to add extra white spaces between the heading and the title. Extra spaces between each paragraph are not necessary as well.
In writing the first line of paragraphs, one half inch must be indented from the left margin of the page. You can do this by pressing the tab button once. The use of italics is only necessary when referring to other works.
In addition to these guidelines, a page header is required by the MLA format template. The page header includes the pertinent page numbers that will number all the subsequent pages in the upper right-hand corner of the page, one half inch from the top and aligned with the right margin. Also, in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, your complete name, your instructor’s full name and the date must be listed.