MLA and APA Essay Formatting Tips

Writing services are growing in popularity among both students and authors seeking for a job. Becoming a professional essay writer looks impossible without knowing how to organize and format texts in all major academic styles.

 

Knowing how to write a good essay is not enough to get scholarship as well as well-aid writing job. You are supposed to be an expert when it comes to formatting papers in APA, MLA, Chicago or any other style. Benefit from our simple guide on how to organize papers in MLA and APA.

 

format an essay

 

MLA formatting tips

 

We should start with the core structural elements. Introduction is the first paragraph in your paper followed by the thesis statement. It should contain the following:

 

  • Transition and the topic sentence;
  • Arguments, proofs and evidence;
  • A hook or a sentence that will wrap up the topic.

 

Once you are done with the main paragraphs and conclusion, you need to handle the reference page featuring works cited. Use Times of Roman font type. The size is generally 12pt. Italic fonts are used to add some contrast where necessary. Start each new paragraph with eh 0.5-inch indents, while the text itself should have one-inch margins with double-spacing. Make sure each page of your essay has a header containing your name and the number that refers to the page.

 

Do not create a separate title page when it comes to MLA style, unless it is indicated in the requirements to the assignment. Ensure a proper first page format with indicated author and instructor’s names in addition to date and title in the center of the page. The in-text citation should include the source name and the number of page. Do not put commas between them.

 


 

APA formatting tips

 

The core structural elements of the APA style include:

 

  • A Title Page;
  • An Essay Abstract;
  • Body Paragraphs;
  • A Reference List.

 

You should place the abstract before the introduction paragraph. Place it on a separate page centralized and typed in Times New Romans 12pt. Make sure the abstract does not exceed 200 words with double-spacing.

 

The intro comes as a brief summary of the major work where you need to highlight the key points of the essay. It should also cover the key aspects and claim disputes. The conclusion is not just a summary of the paper. It is supposed to encourage readers for further exploration and examination of the areas related to the topic.

 

Include each and every source you cite in the reference list. The text size is generally 12pt. Italic fonts are used to add some contrast where necessary. Start each new paragraph with eh 0.5-inch indents, while the text itself should have one-inch margins with double-spacing. Do not create a separate title page when it comes to MLA style, unless it is indicated in the requirements to the assignment. Indicate the running head of the essay on the first page in addition to a full student’s name.

 

Formatting in-text citations is a bit more complicated if compared with MLA. Here you need ti indicate the name of the author in addition to date of publication, page number. Commas should divide each point.

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