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Annotated Bibliography

Formatting Rules

The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers  (8th ed. - pp 20-53.) states the following formatting rules:
  • The text and the works cited list should be double-spaced.
  • Number your pages at the top right of the page.
  • Reference list entries must have a hanging indent (to do this in Microsoft Word 2003, select the citation, click Format, then Paragraph, then Special, and choose Hanging).
  • There should be 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around (top, bottom, left, and right) on each page.
  • Use Times Roman font, or a similar serif font.
  • Capitalize each important word (noun or verb) in a book or article title.
  • Each paragraph should be indented.
  • Use Times Roman font, or a similar serif font.
  • Each paragraph should be indented.

Sample Page: MLA-formatted annotated bibliography

The example below is based on the MLA Handbook, but your instructor may give you other formatting instructions. Always follow your professor's instructions!