MLA Heading Format

MLA format does not require a separate title page. Instead, the first page of your paper includes a heading in the top-left corner, followed by the centered title.

The MLA Heading Structure

The heading consists of four lines, left-aligned and double-spaced:

Line 1: Your Name

Your full name as it appears on your student ID or enrollment records.

Line 2: Instructor Name

Your instructor's name, preceded by their title (Professor, Dr., Mr., Ms., etc.).

Line 3: Course Name

The name or number of the course (e.g., ENG 101, Introduction to Literature).

Line 4: Date

MLA uses the Day Month Year format with no commas: 15 September 2024. Do not use ordinal numbers (15th) or abbreviations (Sept.).

Common Mistakes

• Do not bold, underline, or italicize the heading text
• Do not add extra space between heading lines
• Do not center the heading — it must be left-aligned
• Do not use a title page unless your instructor specifically requires one
• Do not use "Date:" or "Instructor:" labels — just the information itself