MLA format might sound intimidating, but it’s actually one of the easiest academic styles to master, once you understand the basics. Widely used in the humanities and language arts, MLA formatting helps keep your essays clean, organized, and professional. That said, many students still trip over simple details, like confusing a heading with a header or placing the essay title in the wrong spot. In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how MLA essay headings should look, with clear examples.
Part 1: What Is an MLA Essay Heading?
Understanding the difference between a heading and a header in MLA format is key to setting up a paper correctly.
The heading appears only on the first page. It contains your full name, your instructor’s name, the course name, and the date, all left-aligned and double-spaced.
The header, on the other hand, is a running head that includes your last name and page number. It appears in the top right corner of every page.
Here’s what goes on each line for a proper MLA format essay heading:
First Last Name
Instructor Name
Course Title
Day Month Year
All are left-aligned and double-spaced.
After the heading, your essay should feature a title. MLA title format rules are simple:
Centered
Standard capitalization (capitalize the first and main words)
No bold, no italics, no underlines
Sample MLA Heading Layout
Note: Always use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and ensure the entire document is double-spaced, no extra spacing between the heading and the title.
Part 2: How to Create an MLA Running Header in WPS Office
While setting up a proper MLA format essay heading can seem daunting, WPS Office makes the process fast and straightforward. WPS Writer is a reliable alternative to traditional word processors and fully supports MLA formatting standards, from headings to headers.
Why Use WPS Office for MLA Heading Formatting?
WPS Office is a free, powerful suite that mimics the features of Microsoft Word but with less hassle and no heavy costs. When it comes to MLA format paper heading setup, WPS Office provides:
Easy access to font and spacing tools
Intuitive header editing options
Built-in templates that align with academic standards
It’s particularly useful for students looking to create a perfect MLA format paper header without struggling with complicated settings.
Step-by-Step Guide: MLA Essay Heading in WPS Word
Let’s walk through how you can set up your MLA paper heading and running header in WPS Writer.
Step 1: Open WPS Writer and Create a New Document
Launch WPS Writer and start with a blank document. Set the font to Times New Roman, size 12 pt.
Step 2: Set Margins and Line Spacing
Click on the Layout tab.
Set all margins to 1 inch.
Navigate to Home > Line Spacing and select Double.
Step 3: Insert the MLA Heading
On the top-left of the first page, type:
Your Full Name
Instructor’s Name
Course Name
Date (Day Month Year)
Make sure everything is left-aligned.
Press Enter once after the date.
Step 4: Add the Essay Title
Press Enter once after the date.
Center-align the text (Home > Center).
Type your essay title using standard capitalization.
Remember: According to MLA title format rules, do not bold, italicize essay titles, or underline them.
Step 5: Create the Running Header
Double-click the top area of the page to open the Header section.
Choose Right-align.
Type your last name, insert a space, then go to Insert > Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3.
The header should look like this:
Step 6: Save the Document
Once your MLA heading and header are set, save the file to avoid losing your work. It’s also a good idea to use WPS’s built-in templates for repeated assignments.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between a heading and a header in MLA?
The heading appears only on the first page of the essay. It includes important details like your name, instructor’s name, course, and date, all left-aligned and double-spaced. The header, on the other hand, is a running head that contains your last name and page number, appearing on every page in the top-right corner.
Q2: Do I bold or italicize my essay title in MLA format?
No. According to MLA title format guidelines, the title should be in plain text, centered, with standard capitalization. Do not bold, italicize essay titles, or underline them.
Q3: Can I use WPS Office to create an MLA-formatted essay?
Absolutely. WPS Office supports all necessary MLA settings, including double spacing, proper MLA format essay heading structure, hanging indents for citations, and running headers. It’s a reliable and free tool for academic writing.
Q4: What information goes on each line for a proper MLA format essay heading?
In order, the MLA paper heading requires:
Your full name
Instructor’s name
Course name
Date (Day Month Year)
All lines must be left-aligned and double-spaced, followed by a centered title in accordance with MLA title format.
Q5: Is Times New Roman mandatory for MLA formatting?
While MLA formatting guidelines strongly recommend Times New Roman 12 pt font for readability and consistency, any easily readable serif font (like Georgia) is generally acceptable. However, for best practice and to avoid formatting issues, sticking to Times New Roman is the safest choice, and WPS Office fully supports this font.
