Before learning of what MLA format is, know that MLA means Modern Language Association while the format of text is referring to the format made by the association and the same is now widely accepted and used in the academics. It is important to know of this specific format when it is asked by your professor. Check out the following for the table of editing and proofreading marks for MLA literature as well as ways on how to format.
MLA Literature Formatting
- The paper to use is 8.5 x 11 inches and the font to use is 12 point.
- There is only one space after punctuation marks and periods.
- The first line of a paragraph is indented one-half inch from the margin on the left; for the perfect indention, use the tab key.
- The paging number should be on the upper right hand corner, and every number should only be one-half inch from the paper’s top and it must be aligned with the right margin.
- Texts on the body should be double-spaced.
- There should be one-inch margins on every side.
- Usually, there is no title page in MLA format, but it may also depend on your professor’s request.
- The title of a page should be placed at the center and without special formatting, such as bold, italics and all caps, among others.
- You may need to consult a style guide for abbreviations, section headings and formatting quotations if you’re given more instructions by your professor.
- Make a header to number all pages. However, your professor may ask you to get rid of the number on the first page.
- You can use italics when needed and for titles of longer works in your essay.
- Include any endnotes on a separate page before the page for Works Cited. You should title the section notes in an unformatted and center manner.
MLA Editing Marks
Below is a short manual MLA you can make use of.
|
Symbol |
Meaning |
Example |
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delete |  |
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close up |  |
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delete and close up |  |
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caret |  |
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insert a space |  |
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space evenly |  |
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let stand |  |
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transpose |  |
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used to separate two or more marks and often as a concluding stroke at the end of an insertion |
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set farther to the left |  |
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set farther to the right |  |
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set as ligature (such as ) |  |
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align horizontally |  |
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align vertically |  |
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broken character |  |
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indent or insert em quad space | |
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begin a new paragraph | |
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spell out |  |
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set in CAPITALS |  |
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set in SMALL CAPITALS |  |
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set in lowercase |  |
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set in italic |  |
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set in roman |  |
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set in boldface |  |
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hyphen | multi-colored |
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en dash | 1965–72 |
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em (or long) dash | Now—at last!—we know. |
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superscript or superior |  |
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subscript or inferior |  |
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centered |  |
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comma | |
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apostrophe | |
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period | |
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semicolon | |
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colon | |
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quotation marks | |
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parentheses | |
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brackets | |
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query to author: has this been set as intended? |
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push down a work-up |  |
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turn over an inverted letter |  |
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wrong font |  |
Table credit: http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm
1The last three symbols are unlikely to be needed in marking proofs of photocomposed matter.
There you have what you need to know about MLA editing marks to apply in your paper if you have been asked to use the MLA literature format in your paper. Nevertheless, you should follow your instructions guidelines on how to do the formatting of your essay.