First or Last? MLA Essay Name Etiquette - 📚 Teacher's Name: Use First or Last?

In an MLA formatted essay, you should use your teacher's last name. It's more formal and adheres to the conventions of academic writing. However, if your teacher has specifically requested you to use their first name, you should follow their instructions.

Why Should I Stick to the Last Name in MLA Style? 🎓

Using the last name is a common practice in academic and professional settings. It shows respect and maintains a formal tone. Moreover, it aligns with the MLA format's emphasis on authorship and credibility. Hence, unless specified otherwise by your teacher, always use the last name when referencing them in your MLA format essay.

The Right Way to Add Your Teacher's Name in MLA Format 📝

Typically, your teacher's name goes in the header section of the first page of your essay. You should write "Professor" followed by their last name. For example:

Writing Your Teacher's Name in Markdown

In Markdown, you can create a header section by using the '#' symbol followed by a space and then the text for the header. To write your teacher's name, you simply type it as normal text. Here's how you can do it:

# Header Section

Professor Smith

This will create a header section with the text 'Professor Smith'. Remember, in an MLA formatted essay, it's customary to use 'Professor' followed by the teacher's last name.

If your teacher has a doctorate, use "Dr." instead of "Professor".

Now that we've discussed the importance of using your teacher's last name and how to include it in your essay, let's review a quick checklist to ensure you've got it all covered:

Mastering Teacher's Name in MLA Format

  • Use your teacher's last name in the essay📖
  • Place the teacher's name in the header section of the first page📄
  • If your teacher has a doctorate, use 'Dr.' instead of 'Professor'👨‍🎓
Congrats, you've mastered the MLA format for including your teacher's name!

Once you've checked off all these items, you're ready to proceed with the rest of your MLA format essay, including the date, your name, and the course in the header section.

1. Include the date on MLA format essay in the header section, along with your name, your teacher's name, and the course name.

2. Use double spacing throughout the essay.

3. Follow the standard font size and style - Times New Roman, 12 point.

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

5. Use a header with your last name and page number on each page.

6. Make sure to cite sources correctly. For book titles, use italics.

Mastering essay formatting is key to delivering a well-structured and professional-looking academic paper. For further guidance, check out our comprehensive essay outline templates and how to write a book title in an essay guide.

Before we move on to other related questions, let's address some common queries about MLA formatting:

MLA Formatting FAQs

Should I use my teacher's first name or last name in an MLA formatted essay?
In an MLA formatted essay, you should use your teacher's last name. This practice is more formal and adheres to the conventions of academic and professional settings, showing respect and maintaining formality.
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Where should I include my teacher's name in an MLA format essay?
Typically, your teacher's name goes in the header section of the first page of your essay. For instance, you should write "Professor Smith". If your teacher has a doctorate, use "Dr." instead of "Professor".
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What should I include in the header section of an MLA format essay?
In the header section of an MLA format essay, you should include the date, your name, your teacher's name, and the course. This information should be clearly and correctly formatted according to MLA guidelines.
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Now that we've clarified some common MLA formatting questions, let's delve into other related topics:

1. How can I write a college research paper using MLA format?

2. What is a reliable MLA format essay generator?

3. How do you write a title in MLA format?

4. How can I create a header in MLA format?

In conclusion, while writing an MLA format essay, use your teacher's last name unless they've asked you to use their first name. Following the rules of academic writing and the MLA style guide will help you create an essay that is well-structured and professionally presented.

Clarissa J. Bennett
Journalism, English Literature, Essay Writing, Editing

Clarissa J. Bennett is a talented freelance writer and editor with a knack for simplifying complex concepts. With a background in journalism and a Masters in English Literature, she excels in creating comprehensive and easy-to-understand guides on essay formatting and writing techniques.