Formatting/Style Instructions

Please note: Essays should be completely anonymous to ensure that the peer review process is blind.

Formatting instructions:

  • Title written in bold (not underlined/ italicised).
  • Page numbers are located in the upper right hand corner.
  • Font size: 12.pt.
  • Use a readable font (e.g. Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial).
  • Margins: 1 inch (2.54cm) indented all the way around.
  • Do not indent the first paragraph after headings/ sub-headings. Indent all others by ½ inch (1.27 cm).
  • Use double quotation marks (“ ”).
  • Quotes longer than 2 lines of poetry or 4 lines of prose should be indented as a block quote by 1 inch.
  • Titles of books are in italics. Titles of essays/ poems/ articles are in “double quotation marks”.
  • Please use endnotes and do so sparingly. Endnotes should appear on a separate page just before your “Works Cited” and be entitled “Notes” or “Note” (if singular).

Articles should use the MLA referencing system.

Some creative-critical works may be exempt from this, but only if (a) the change in formatting/ referencing style is necessary for the construction of the work, and (b) all work by others is still accurately referenced and acknowledged.

Advice in referencing using MLA is covered in this document: MLA Guidelines

An even more extensive guide can be located at OWL PURDUE MLA.