Fact Check: Is MLA format double spaced?

Is MLA Format Double Spaced?

The claim in question is whether MLA format requires documents to be double spaced. This is a common query among students and writers who need to adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guidelines for academic writing.

What We Know

1. MLA Guidelines: According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), MLA style specifies that manuscripts should be double spaced throughout, including the title and any headings. This guideline is consistent across various sources that discuss MLA formatting [1][4].

2. Line Spacing Instructions: The Writing Center at Pasco-Hernando State College explicitly states that documents should be double spaced, including after the heading and around the title, if applicable [2]. Similarly, a PDF guide from Edmonds College confirms that MLA formatting requires double spacing for the entire text of the paper [3].

3. Microsoft Word Settings: A document from Northwestern College Library provides practical instructions for setting double spacing in Microsoft Word, indicating that the default setting is often single spacing, which must be adjusted to meet MLA requirements [5].

4. Works Cited Page: The Purdue OWL also notes that the Works Cited page must be double spaced, with no extra spaces between entries [6]. This reinforces the requirement for double spacing throughout the entire document.

5. Quotations: When formatting quotations in MLA style, the guidelines specify that quotations should also be double spaced, maintaining the overall formatting consistency [7].

6. MLA Handbook: The most recent edition of the MLA Handbook (9th edition) reiterates these formatting rules, emphasizing that double spacing is a standard requirement for all MLA formatted documents [8].

Analysis

The sources cited above are generally reliable, particularly the Purdue OWL, which is widely recognized as an authoritative resource for writing and citation guidelines. It is affiliated with Purdue University, a reputable institution, and is frequently updated to reflect the latest standards in MLA formatting.

The Writing Center at Pasco-Hernando State College and the Edmonds College PDF also provide clear, straightforward instructions that align with the established guidelines from the MLA Handbook. However, it is important to note that while these sources are helpful, they may not be as widely recognized as Purdue OWL.

The PDF from Northwestern College Library is practical and offers specific instructions for using Microsoft Word, which is beneficial for users who may be unfamiliar with adjusting formatting settings. However, it is essential to consider that the effectiveness of these instructions can vary based on the version of Microsoft Word being used.

While the information provided is consistent across multiple sources, it is also worth noting that there are no dissenting opinions or conflicting sources that challenge the claim that MLA format requires double spacing. This lack of controversy may suggest a strong consensus on the issue, but it also raises questions about the potential for unexamined assumptions within the academic community regarding formatting standards.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The evidence clearly supports that MLA format requires documents to be double spaced throughout, including the title, headings, and Works Cited page. This requirement is consistently affirmed by multiple authoritative sources, including the Purdue OWL and the MLA Handbook.

However, it is important to recognize that while the consensus on this guideline is strong, the sources referenced may not encompass all possible interpretations or applications of MLA formatting. Additionally, variations in software settings, such as those in Microsoft Word, could lead to discrepancies in how users implement these guidelines.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate formatting requirements and consult the most current resources, as standards may evolve or differ slightly based on specific institutional guidelines.

Sources

1. Purdue OWL - MLA General Format. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
2. Writing Center - MLA Page Format. https://writing-center.phsc.edu/research/mla-documentation/mla-page-format
3. Edmonds College - MLA Formatting: Word Documents. https://www.edmonds.edu/student-services/learning-support-center/handouts/documents/edmondsccmlaformatword.pdf
4. Purdue OWL - MLA Formatting and Style Guide. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
5. Northwestern College Library - Formatting Using MLA Style in Microsoft Word. https://library.nwciowa.edu/uploads/files/formatting-in-word---mla-style---2017.pdf
6. Purdue OWL - MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html
7. Purdue OWL - MLA Formatting Quotations. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_quotations.html
8. University of North Dakota - Modern Language Association (MLA) 8th Edition Format and Documentation. https://und.edu/academics/writing-center/_files/docs/mla-citation-guidelines-8.pdf