MLA FORMAT RESEARCH PAPER FORMAT

MLA format is a widely used style for formatting research papers. Here are the general guidelines for formatting a research paper in MLA style:

1. Use a clear, readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial.

2. Set the font size to 12 pt.

3. Use double spacing throughout the paper, including the list of works cited.

4. Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.

5. Include a page header at the top of every page. The page header should include your last name and the page number.

6. Number all pages consecutively, starting with the first page of the text (not the title page).

7. Use indentation to indicate new paragraphs.

8. Place the title of the paper in the center of the first page. Do not bold, underline, or italicize the title.

9. Include a works cited page at the end of the paper, listing all sources used in the paper.

Here is an example of how a research paper in MLA format might look:

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Jane Doe

Professor Smith

English 101

10 December 2022

The Power of Names in Shakespeare’s Othello

In Shakespeare’s Othello, the power of a name is a pervasive theme. Throughout the play, characters are defined by the names they are given, and the meanings associated with those names. Othello, the play’s tragic hero, is a Moor – a man of color – and his name is used repeatedly to emphasize his otherness. Desdemona, the woman he loves, is named after a figure in classical literature known for her unfaithfulness, foreshadowing her own tragic fate. Even minor characters, such as Iago and Emilia, have names with meanings that reveal important aspects of their personalities and actions.

The significance of names in Othello is first introduced in the very first scene, when Iago and Roderigo are discussing the newly-appointed Othello. Iago, who is jealous of Othello’s success and angry that he has not been promoted, says:

IAGO: O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!

It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock

The meat it feeds on. (1.3.165-167)

Here, Iago uses the metaphor of the “green-eyed monster” to describe jealousy, and connects it directly to Othello’s name. By calling Othello the “green-eyed monster,” Iago implies that the jealousy Othello feels is inherent in his nature – a part of who he is. This suggestion, that a person’s name can determine their personality, sets the stage for the rest of the play.

As the play progresses, it becomes clear that the meanings of the characters’ names are not always positive. Desdemona’s name, for example, associates her with infidelity, foreshadowing her eventual death at the hands of her jealous husband. Emilia, Iago’s wife, is named after a figure in classical literature known for her loyalty – a trait that she ultimately does not possess. Even Iago’s name has negative connotations, as it means “one who harms” in Italian.

The power of names in Othello ultimately serves to reinforce the theme of the dangers of appearances and prejudice. Throughout the play, the characters’ names are used to shape and reinforce the audience’s perceptions of them. Othello’s name, for example, is used to emphasize his otherness...