When writing a cause-and-effect essay, there are different considerations that need to be made. However, most of us find it a daunting task to write a good essay of such sort especially considering how to write a cause-and-effect essay in MLA format”. Are you the one wondering the same? Want to have an experts’ guide on such a topic? Here you go. Continue reading this.
Modern Language Association or MLA style is the most used style of essay mostly in the U.S countries. The essay writing style in MLA is different from that of APA and other styles, however, the elements of the essay are the same i.e., thesis statement, hook, cause and effect essay introduction, conclusion, etc. For a cause-and-effect essay, this format is very important and is kept under special considerations. So, let’s discuss things.
Writing Cause And Effect Essay In MLA Format
Writing such essay in MLA format requires the following step:
- Step 1: Outlining the essay
- Step 2: Structuring the essay
- Step 3: Writing
- Step 4: Considering the MLA details
Let’s discuss these in a detail now:
Step 1: Outlining The Essay
Considering the outline of your essay, it is the pioneer step that has to be known and understood properly. Although, as mentioned earlier, the basic steps and elements in MLA format is same as that of the standard format but you have to understand the outline of this essay in MLA format as well, which is as follows:
Step 2: Structuring The Essay
By structuring the essay, we mean that proper implication of all the requirements of an essay according to MLA format. It should have a proper introduction w.r.t the outline explained above. Similarly, it needs to have a proper body with integrated details of the cause-effect. The conclusion should follow the path as evident from the outline.
The editing and the font etc. should also be considered in the step but later on, it has to be ensured in step 4.
Step 3: Writing
Here comes the most awaited step. It is the main step in which we write our essay according to the format as mentioned. Write all the details that you have been brainstorming. Looking into the title of cause and effect essay, follow those instructions and write according to the format. Here, you also have to ensure that you do not get distracted and are well focused.
Step 4: Considering The MLA Details
Considering the MLA details, following are the elements that have to be viewed in detail.
- Header/footer
- Title
- Spacing
- Font
- Margins
- Page numbering
- Indentation
Let’s discuss these in detail:
Header/Footer
The header/footer should be one inch margin throughout your paper. This is set by double tapping on the upper or lowermost portion of the page in word; where header/footer is inserted respectively. An option in the ribbon will appear after double tapping and a header will be inserted. The option stating “header from top” and “footer from bottom”, enter 1 inch into it and this will be followed in the entire pages of the document.
Title
The heading or the title in MLA format should contain the following four elements:
- Your full name
- Name of your instructor
- The name of the course and its course number/class
- Due date of the assignment
These details have to be included in the following guidelines:
- Your name should be positioned in such a way that is one inch from the top and of the left most margin of the page.
- Add the name of your instructor after mentioning your name, but first make sure it is double space beneath your name.
- The next step after adding your instructor’s name is to name the course and its course number, class, or section number etc. Remember that it should also be double spaced from the above.
- Add double space again after the course name stuff and add the due date of the assignment in a way stating day, month, and year.
Spacing
The requirement of the MLA style for spacing in writing an essay is double spacing. It requires the entire paper to be double spaced lines. The double spacing is not limited to the essay only, but also when writing the title, the headings, introduction, conclusion, and even in references (if available/required).
Select the double-spaced option from the drag down menu in word mentioning line and paragraph spacing, and select 2.0 spacing from it. The entire work will be double spaced without the hesitation of viewing again and again to know whether it is rightly spaced.
Font
In fonts, there are two considerations. i.e., the font style and font size. While in MLA format, any font style is acceptable considering the readability and understanding of the ideas, however, the most commonly used and standard is the Times New Roman and Arial font.
When it is about the font size, the standard and recommended size is 12. However, you can also use 11 or 11.5 size if that is required. Whatever size is used, make sure it is visible for the audience and that doesn't make your instructor frustrated.
Sometimes, the italicized and regular fonts are indistinctive and the thing on which we want to focus the most is missed out. So, make sure whatever font you use, the regular and italicized font is distinctive and has a specific focus.
Margins
The standard for margin in MLA format is one-inch around the entire paper. There is a running head used in the margin. It should be the only item placed in the margin.
Most of the word documents use one-inch margin automatically. However, you must check the margin size by going into the layout section and going into the margin section on the ribbon.
Page Numbering
Page numbering in MLA format can be any including page numbering in header, footer, top, bottom, mid, left or right, etc. depending on the requirement and suitability, you can add page numbers.
Indentation
The first word in every paragraph in an essay is indented. The sentences have to begin one and a half inch from the left most margin.
To ensure this distance, tap on the “tab” button on the keyboard which is at the very left side on it, it automatically adds a half inch space when starting a new sentence of a new paragraph.
Conclusion
Writing an essay in MLA format might be the same as a standard format. The formatting related to this style, however, needs special considerations. We hope that this guide has provided you with a decent explanation of writing a cause-and-effect essay in MLA format.
