What’s the date format for an MLA header?

The date format for an MLA header on the first page of your paper is day-month-year. MLA date format also requires you to spell out the full name of the month in your document header (e.g., “September,” not “Sept.”).

MLA heading example

Saanvi Mehta

Professor Bennett

Composition I

30 September 2024

If you include dates in the main text of an MLA format essay, you can use either day-month-year or month-day year order as long as you use the same format throughout. If any of the works cited entries include full dates, use day-month-year (like the document header), but abbreviate months that are more than four letters long (e.g., 20 Oct. 2022). Quillbot’s free Citation Generator can help you with correct MLA date format on the works cited page.

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Citation: Other interesting questions

When should I include a page number in an APA in-text citation?: Page numbers are only necessary in APA in-text citations when material is directly quoted. Include the page number after the publication date (Author, date, p. 1).

To cite a page range, include “pp.” and use an en dash (Author, date, pp. 1–10).
Where can I find scholarly sources?: Knowing how to find the credible sources you need is important when conducting research.

Check with the library at your institution to see what journals, books, research databases, and other types of sources they can give you access to.

Search for publications from respected academic publishers and university presses, as these have a reputation for being trustworthy scholarly sources.

Search for journals that use a peer review process. They are more credible as experts have reviewed the research before publication.
How do I cite a source with no author in MLA?: MLA in-text citations for sources without an author should include the first element of the corresponding Works Cited entry. This is usually the title of the piece (“Practice Writing Exercises”) or the name of the organization that has published the piece (Princeton Review).
How to cite sources in a PowerPoint?: To cite sources in a PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Check with your instructor or supervisor to find out what citation format is required (e.g., APA or MLA).

At the end of each bullet point or slide that paraphrases or quotes an outside source, include an in-text citation, like one of these examples:
a) APA (author, year): (Vygotsky, 1978)
b) MLA (author page): (Vygotsky 79)

On the last slide of your presentation, provide a bibliography (e.g., an MLA works cited page or an APA reference page).

Quillbot’s free Citation Generator can help you create clear and accurate citations in almost any citation format for PowerPoint presentations and more!
How do I use signal phrases?: Signal phrases have a variety of functions. They can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.

When using signal phrases to integrate another author’s ideas, words, or data, include:

The name of the scholar(s) or study

An attributive tag (e.g., “has proposed,” “has asserted”)

The quote or paraphrased material

The verb tense you use in your signal phrase depends on the style guide you are following.

APA Style uses the past tense or present perfect tense

MLA and Chicago use the simple present tense