12 Mla Style Essay Tips For Better Grades

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a widely accepted format for writing academic papers, particularly in the humanities. Following the MLA style guidelines can help students achieve better grades by presenting their work in a clear, organized, and professional manner. In this article, we will provide 12 MLA style essay tips to help students improve their writing and increase their chances of getting better grades.

Understanding the MLA Style Basics

The MLA style is designed to provide a consistent format for writing academic papers. It includes guidelines for formatting, citations, and references. To write a successful MLA style essay, students need to understand the basics of the style, including font, margins, spacing, and header formatting. The MLA Handbook is a valuable resource that provides detailed information on the MLA style guidelines.

MLA Style Essay Tips

Here are 12 MLA style essay tips to help students achieve better grades:

1. Choose a clear and concise topic: A well-defined topic is essential for a successful MLA style essay. Students should select a topic that is relevant to the course material and interests them.
2. Use a standard font: The MLA style recommends using a standard font, such as Times New Roman, in size 12 points.
3. Set the margins correctly: The MLA style requires a one-inch margin on all sides of the page, including the top, bottom, left, and right.
4. Use double spacing: Double spacing is required throughout the essay, including the title page, body, and references.
5. Create a header: A header with the student's last name and page number is required in the upper right corner of each page.
6. Use in-text citations: In-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of a quote or idea. The MLA style requires the author's last name and page number(s) in parentheses.
7. Include a works cited page: A works cited page is required at the end of the essay, listing all sources cited in the essay.
8. Use active voice: The MLA style recommends using active voice, as it is clearer and more concise than passive voice.
9. Avoid plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic writing. Students should ensure that they properly cite all sources and use their own words to paraphrase ideas.
10. Use transitions and connections: Transitions and connections are essential to link ideas and paragraphs together, creating a cohesive and logical essay.
11. Edit and proofread: Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the writing process. Students should review their essay carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and flows well.
12. Seek feedback: Finally, students should seek feedback from their instructor or peers to improve their essay and ensure that it meets the MLA style guidelines.

MLA Style Essay Structure

An MLA style essay typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should provide background information, state the thesis statement, and outline the main points. The body should include evidence and analysis to support the thesis statement, using paraphrasing and quoting techniques. The conclusion should summarize the main points and reiterate the thesis statement.

In conclusion, following the MLA style guidelines is essential for writing a successful academic paper. By understanding the MLA style basics, using the 12 MLA style essay tips, and structuring the essay correctly, students can achieve better grades and improve their writing skills.