Setting up the MLA format within Word

Using Microsoft Word to set up the MLA format.

1. Setting up the MLA format within Microsoft Word Review Chapter 14 from your Textbook for more Info on the MLA Format.

2. Why use MLA Format In some of your classes, you will be required to write a research paper or an essay. MLA format is the preferred format. When all students use the same format, it keeps all submissions easy to read, and consistent! The key is to keep a consistent formatting for all students. The other advantage of using MLA, it allows the reader to follow your ideas, as well as find a topic of interest. Go to References tab and click the Style: down arrow, then select MLA, if not already selected.

3. Margins Margins within Word is the space around the edges of the paper. For the MLA format, you want to set your margins to be 1 inch all around. To do so, click the Page Layout Tab, and choose Margins, and select Normal.

4. Font and Font Size Lets change the font size and font face of the document, as well as line spacing. Hold down your [Ctrl] key and press A(Windows) [CMD] + A(Mac) Click the Home tab, and change the Font to Times New Roman, and 12 pts . Change Line Spacing to Double.

5. Modify the Normal Style To maintain consistency save all of the changes within the Normal style. Right click Normal, then left click Modify. Change font, font size and select double space. Click Format/Paragraph change Spacing After to 0. Click OK/OK.

6. Headers At the top of every page will have your last name followed by the page number, and will be aligned on the right side of the page. Click the Insert tab, choose Header down arrow, and then select Blank. In the header, right align text (Ctrl + R) , type in your last name, and press the space bar one time.

7. Headers Click the Page Numbers button, and choose Current Position, Plain Number Double click anywhere in the body of the document to close the Header area.

8. Formatting the First Page

9. Formatting the First Page

10. Formatting the First Page Every paragraphs first line needs to be indented ½ inch . Do not press the space bar to indent! Use the Tab key on your keyboard. By default it will indent ½ inch. Other notes: Review the MLA Sample Paper on the Purdue Owl Resource Page. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/13/

11. Works Cited Page The Works Cited page must start on its own page, and at the end of your paper. You can do so by adding a Page Break within Word. First, make sure you have clicked at the end of the last piece of text within your paper. Click the Insert tab, and choose Page Break (Ctrl + Enter) . This will force a page break.

12. Works Cited Page Type in Works Cited on the new page, and center align the text. Press your enter key to go to the next line, if you have not done so already. Make sure to change the alignment back to Left align.

13. Works Cited Page Go to the References tab, click Bibliography down arrow, and click Insert Bibliography command at the bottom of the list. (The list will automatically have a hanging indent.) Keep in mind the font should still be Times New Roman, 12pts, and double spaced. Always double check to make sure the citations are formatted correctly. A Hanging Indent is where the first line hangs over the rest of the lines within the citation.

14. Works Cited Page When it comes to citing sources, make sure to follow the guidelines set up via Purdue Owls Website. Depending on your source, there are a variety of ways to cite. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/ Review Chapter 14 from the Textbook. It goes over how to create citations, and bibliography within Word.

15. Works Cited Page