Final answer:
The Works Cited page is found at the end of an academic paper and includes all the sources cited within the paper. It should have double-spacing, one-inch margins, half-inch indented paragraphs, and include your last name and page number in the header. Every cited work needs to have a corresponding entry in the Works Cited list and vice versa.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the conclusion of your academic paper, the Works Cited page is an essential component. It begins on a new page following the body of your paper. At the top of this page, center the boldfaced title 'References' or 'Works Cited' to distinguish it as the source list area. This section of your paper is critical for providing full bibliographical information for each source you have cited within your text, enabling readers to locate those sources themselves.
The guidelines for structuring this page are clear: use one-inch margins on all sides, employ double-spacing for all entries, and indent paragraphs one-half inch. When citing sources in MLA format, it is vital that every source mentioned in the paper appears on the Works Cited page, and conversely, every entry on this page must correspond to an in-text citation in the paper. Page numbers should be included in the upper-right corner of each page, adding your last name before the page number—for example, 'Coleman 3.' Use the MLA Handbook for further guidance on formatting quotations and arranging entries.
Remember also to present your identifying information such as your name, instructor's name, course title, and date in the upper-left corner on the first page of the body of the paper. The title of the paper is centered and not stylized with boldface or italics. Optional explanatory information not sourced externally may be provided in footnotes or endnotes, and a separate note section titled 'Notes' or 'Endnotes' may be included just before the Works Cited page.