An MLA heading is a four-line block of information placed in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of your paper. It includes your name, your instructor’s name, the course name, and the date, in that order, each on its own line. The entire block is double-spaced and left-aligned, matching the rest of your paper’s formatting.
The Four Lines in Order
Every MLA heading follows the same sequence. Here is exactly what goes on each line:
- Line 1: Your full name (first and last)
- Line 2: Your instructor’s name (e.g., Professor Johnson)
- Line 3: The course name and section number (e.g., English 101-04)
- Line 4: The date the paper is due
For the date, MLA style uses the day-month-year format: 15 January 2025. Do not use a comma between the month and year. If your instructor prefers a different date format, follow their guidelines, but day-month-year is the MLA default.
Spacing, Margins, and Font
The heading should be double-spaced, just like every other line in your paper. Do not add extra space between the heading lines or between the heading and your title. Set all four margins (top, bottom, left, right) to one inch. Use a readable 12-point font such as Times New Roman throughout the heading and the rest of the document. The heading sits flush against the left margin with no indentation.
Where the Title Goes
Your paper’s title comes directly after the heading, on the next double-spaced line. Center the title on the page. Do not bold, underline, or italicize it (unless it contains the title of another work that would normally be italicized, like a book or film title). Do not increase the font size. After the title, press Enter once and begin your first paragraph on the next double-spaced line, indented half an inch.
A Complete Example
Here is what the top of your first page should look like, with each line double-spaced:
Jane Smith
Professor Garcia
English 102
9 March 2025
The Role of Setting in Frankenstein
After that centered title, your first body paragraph begins on the next line, indented half an inch from the left margin.
The Header Is Not the Heading
Students often confuse the heading with the header. They are two different things. The heading is that four-line block at the top of page one. The header is a running element that appears in the top-right corner of every page, including page one. It contains your last name followed by a space and the page number (e.g., Smith 1). Set the header inside the top margin at half an inch from the top edge of the page. Most word processors let you insert this through the “Insert Header” or “Page Number” function.
Group Papers and Multiple Authors
If you are submitting a paper with one or more co-authors, list each name on its own line at the start of the heading, in alphabetical order by last name. The instructor’s name, course, and date follow on subsequent lines as usual. For a two-person paper, that means the heading has five lines instead of four. If your instructor asks for a cover page instead, follow their specific instructions, as MLA does not require a title page by default.
Setting This Up in Your Word Processor
In Google Docs or Microsoft Word, start by setting your font to 12-point Times New Roman and your line spacing to double (found under Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing in Google Docs, or the Paragraph settings in Word). Set all margins to one inch under Page Setup or Layout. Type your four heading lines, then center your title on the next line. To add the running header, open the header area, align the text to the right, type your last name, insert a space, and use the automatic page number feature. The header should sit half an inch from the top of the page, which is typically the default header position in both programs.