Headings in MLA 9: A Few Rules, and Room to Choose

If you're coming from APA's five levels, this can feel like a missing rule. It isn't. MLA leaves the exact look to you, or to your instructor, as long as the headings are clear and consistent.

First: does your paper need headings?

Often, no. Many MLA papers, especially short essays and literary analyses, read best as continuous prose, with strong topic sentences doing the work headings would do. Headings help most in longer papers with distinct sections.

So start with two questions. Does your instructor require or recommend headings? If yes, follow their guidance. If not, is the paper long enough that a reader would want signposts? If not, skip them.

What MLA asks of every heading

• The title is the top level. It's centered on page 1. Every heading inside the paper ranks below it.
• Internal headings sit flush left. Only the title is centered.
• Prominence goes down by level. Bold or larger type signals a higher level, and italics or smaller type a lower one. Avoid all capitals.
• One style per level. Every heading at the same level looks the same, all the way through.
• At least two at each level. If a section has only one subheading, the subheading probably isn't needed.
• Text under every heading. Don't stack two headings with nothing between them.
• No numbers or letters, unless your field expects them or your instructor asks for them.
• Title case. Capitalize headings the way you capitalize titles: the first word, the last word, and every major word.
• Short. A few words is plenty.

And a word of caution from MLA itself: headings can't fix a paper that isn't well organized. Structure first, headings second.

A simple format that follows the rules

Because MLA doesn't prescribe one, here's a simple two-level format most student papers can use:

• Level 1: flush left, bold, title case
• Level 2: flush left, italic, title case

Most papers never need more than two or three levels. If your instructor gives you a different format, use theirs.

Headings on a real page

Here is a body page of the sample Bigfoot paper, extended for this lesson with two levels of headings. The gray lines stand in for each section's paragraphs.

1. A Level 1 headingFlush left and bold. Only the paper title is centered.
2. A Level 2 headingFlush left and italic: bold for the main sections, italic for the subsections.
3. A second Level 2 headingTwo of each: two Level 2 headings under the first section.
4. A second Level 1 headingThe next main section, in the same style as the first. Text under every heading.

Quick checklist

• Headings only if the paper or your instructor calls for them
• Title centered; every other heading flush left
• One consistent style per level, less prominent as levels go down
• At least two headings at each level you use
• Text under every heading
• Title case, no numbering, no all caps

How PERRLA handles headings

In PERRLA Online, select your heading text, choose Text & Heading Style on the ribbon, and pick the heading level. PERRLA applies the same flush-left style to every heading at that level, all through the paper, so the levels stay consistent without a second thought.

Related MLA 101 lessons

• Body pages: paragraph formatting that stays the same to the last page, and no Introduction heading.
• Structuring an MLA paper: a thesis up front, one point per paragraph, and an outline first.
• The first page: heading and title: the four-line heading, the centered title, and what to do when a title page is required.
• Final checks and common mistakes: the last pass before you submit.
• All 18 lessons in MLA 101