How to Format an Essay: MLA, APA, Chicago Styles

Many of you know how to write an essay. However, you guys struggle when it comes to formatting the same. While writing good content is important, it is equally important to know how to format them. Over the years, we have seen many college students struggling with essay formatting in academic writing. So, in this blog, you will get a detailed idea of how to format an essay in different styles. 

Before you learn how to format an essay, you need to be clear about the essay structure. 

• Opening Hook

Ideally, all essays start with a “hook sentence.” You can start with a compelling statistic or an engaging anecdote. This highlights the importance of proper essay formatting.

• Thesis Statement

Then, you need to state the purpose of the essay clearly. You have to show how it is significant for college students.

• Overview

Lastly, you need to make a brief outline of what readers will learn from the post.

Once you are done writing all these segments, you are free to format them before submitting them to the professors. 

What is an Essay Format?

This is the standard essay format that most students follow –

This structure is flexible. So, you can add additional body paragraphs depending on the length and complexity of the essay.

How to Format an Essay?

Formatting an essay properly is crucial for clarity and professionalism. Here’s a guide to formatting an essay:

1. Title and Heading: The essay should have a clear title that reflects the main idea of the topic. If required, include a heading with your name, the instructor’s name, course title, and date, typically aligned at the top left of the page.
2. Font and Spacing: Use a readable font, like Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point size. The essay should be double-spaced throughout, including the title, headings, and body. Avoid extra spaces between paragraphs unless specified.
3. Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the page to ensure proper presentation.
4. Paragraph Structure: Begin with an introduction that includes a hook to grab attention, background information, and a clear thesis statement. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence followed by supporting details, examples, and analysis. Ensure each paragraph is focused on one main idea and clearly connected to the thesis.
5. Citations and References: If you are using sources, cite them in the required citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago). Include a bibliography or works cited page at the end of the essay.
6. Conclusion: Restate the thesis in a new way, summarize key points, and offer a concluding thought or call to action.
7. Proofreading: Always proofread for grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors before submitting your essay to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Proper formatting helps make your essay more readable and organized, ensuring that your ideas are presented effectively.

Types of Essay Formats

Here is all you need to know about the types of style guides per which you can format your essay. 

Specific Formatting Styles

There are three widely used essay formats for academic writing: 

• MLA
• APA
• Chicago

Each has its unique rules for citing sources, formatting pages, and structuring essays. Below are explanations and examples of each.

MLA Format Essay Example

MLA format is widely used for writing research papers, dissertations and many more. 

Example: In-text citation:
“The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal period in history, affecting both the economy and social structures (Smith 45).”

Works Cited:
Smith, John. The Industrial Revolution. Penguin Press, 2000.

MLA vs. APA Essay Format

Here are some of the key differences between MLA and APA essay formats –

APA Format Essay Example

You commonly use this format in social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education.

Example: In-text citation:
“Recent studies suggest that social media has a profound impact on adolescent behavior (Jones, 2020).”

References:
Jones, A. (2020). The effects of social media on teenagers. Social Science Press.

Chicago Format Essay Example

This format is frequently used in history, business, and some social sciences.

Example:

• Notes and Bibliography Style (Footnotes/Endnotes):
  In-text citation:
  “As previously noted, industrialization brought about social upheaval.”¹
  Bibliography:
  ¹John Smith, The Rise of Industry (Chicago: University Press, 2000), 45.
• Author-Date Style:
  In-text citation:
  “The urban landscape changed dramatically during the Industrial Revolution (Smith 2000, 45).”
  References:
  Smith, John. 2000. The Rise of Industry. Chicago: University Press.

APA vs. Chicago

• APA Style is widely used in social sciences, focusing on author-year citations and a standardized title page.
• Chicago Style offers flexibility, often preferred in history and humanities, using either notes and bibliography or author-date for citations.

You are already familiar with the specifications of each formatting style from the previous segment of the blog. However, you can check books like “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White or “Essay Writing Skills: Essential Techniques to Gain Top Marks” by Jacqueline Connelly and Patrick Forsyth to gain more information regarding essay formatting. 

Let us now check out how to format different parts of an essay in each of these styles, shall we?

Formatting Different Parts of an Essay

Here’s how to format the different sections of your essay:

1. Title Page:

• MLA: You don’t require a title page usually. However, you can include one if you like. The title should be centered on the page, with no extra formatting.
• APA: The title page includes the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation. A running head should appear in the header, along with the page number.
• Chicago: Similar to APA, the Chicago style title page includes the title, your name, and institutional affiliation. You also have to add the course name and date. A page number starts on the title page, usually centered at the top or bottom.

General Information for All Styles:

• Title: Centered on the page. Use title case (capitalize the first letter of most words).
• Name: Place your name below the title.
• Course: Below your name, include your course title or number.
• Date: Include the date you are submitting the essay.

2. Headers and Page Numbers:

Instructions:

• MLA:
  • Your last name and page number should appear in the upper-right corner of every page (e.g., Smith 1).
  • No separate title page unless specified, so the header starts on the first page.
• APA:
  • The page number is in the top-right corner of every page, starting from the title page.
  • For APA 7th Edition, no “Running Head” is required for student papers. Just the page number.
• Chicago:
  • Page numbers should appear in the upper-right corner, starting from the title page, usually at the top-right corner.

General Instructions:

• To insert page numbers, you can use the header/footer function. Ensure that page numbers are aligned to the right.

3. Introduction:

Instructions for Formatting:

Hook:

• Begin your introduction with a compelling hook—this can be a quote, a question, or an interesting fact that draws the reader in.
• The hook should be relevant to your topic and set the tone for your argument.

Thesis Statement:

• The thesis statement should be placed at the end of the introduction. You should look to express the main argument you will be discussing in the essay.
• Ensure that the thesis is clear and specific. This will give your essays a direction.

Setting the Context:

• After the hook, provide brief background information or context that the reader needs to understand the topic.
• You can include definitions, historical background, or a description of the problem.

4. Body Paragraphs:

Instructions for Formatting:

Topic Sentences:

• You should begin the body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should relate directly to your thesis statement and set the direction for the paragraph.

Evidence and Analysis:

• You can also use quotes, data, or other forms of evidence to support the topic sentence. In MLA, place short quotes within the text and quotes over 4 lines in a block format.

MLA:

• Example: “Quote” (Author Page Number).

APA:

• Example: “Quote” (Author, Year, p. Page Number).

Chicago:

• Footnotes or endnotes can be used for citations, depending on the style.

Transitions:

• You need to ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs by using transitional words and phrases. For example, you can use words like “In addition,” “Furthermore,” “On the other hand,” etc. These will guide you to move from one idea to the next.

5. Conclusion:

Instructions for Formatting:

Summarizing Key Points:

• You should begin the conclusion by briefly summarizing the main arguments as discussed in the body paragraphs. However, you should not introduce new information.

Restating the Thesis:

• You have to restate your thesis statement in a slightly modified way to reinforce the main point of your essay. However, avoid repeating it in exact words.

Closing Thoughts:

• End your essay with a final thought or call to action. This could be a thought-provoking idea, a recommendation, or a solution to the issue discussed.
• The closing thought should leave a lasting impression on the reader.

 Common Formatting Tools

• Microsoft Word

If you wish to use Word templates and formatting tools, start by selecting a pre-designed template. Click on “File” and then click on the “New” menu. Choose a template that fits your essay type. Once you have selected it, Word automatically applies the template’s formatting. For manual formatting, use Home tab tools like adjust font style, size, and spacing. To insert page numbers, go to Insert and click on Page Number. For margins, go to Layout and click on Margins. Use Styles to apply headings or the formatting option for maintaining consistency throughout your document.

• Google Docs

Google Docs provides a user-friendly platform for both formatting and collaboration. You need to use the Format menu to adjust font, size, spacing, and margins to format your document. You can apply styles such as headings and subheadings in Google Docs, too. You can also set page numbers and insert images or tables. If you wish to collaborate, click Share in the top-right corner to generate a shareable link. You can set permissions to allow others to view, comment, or edit the document. Google Docs enables real-time collaboration, and you can track changes with Suggesting mode to review edits before accepting them.

• Citation Management Software

Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley are three popular reference management tools that help organize citations and generate bibliographies. 

Zotero: This is a free and open-source tool that allows you to collect, organize, and cite sources across various formats. 

EndNote: This offers advanced citation features and is widely used in academic research. However, this is a paid tool. 

Mendeley: It is a free reference manager that also facilitates academic collaboration. You can use it to annotate PDFs and share references. All three tools integrate with word processors to streamline citation insertion, save time, and ensure consistent formatting in any major citation styles.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Inconsistent Formatting

It can be hard for you to maintain consistent formatting, which is crucial for a professional paper. 

• Overlooking Guidelines

You can always follow specific guidelines provided by your institution or instructor, irrespective of the citation style. If you ignore these guidelines that can affect the clarity and structure of your work.

• Neglecting Citations

It is important that you cite the sources properly to avoid plagiarism. Always give credit to the original authors if you are copying any ideas, quotes, and data. 

Parting Thoughts

In this guide, we explored the importance of proper essay formatting, including essential styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. You can explore various key aspects such as title pages, headers, page numbers, and consistent citation practices. If you follow these formatting guidelines, you can easily maintain clarity and professionalism in your work. So, try to apply these tips to improve your writing and presentation significantly. We encourage you to implement these strategies in your essays. If you know about any additional tips let us know in the comments section.