MLA Format

Note: This is a requirement for college writing. Here are a few basics necessities of what is required.

If you should need more information you can go to http://www.cuyamaca.net/tpagaard/EnglDept/Resources.htm

 1)      Make sure your margins are set at 1 inch all around.

a.      Start/Programs/ MS Word

b.      File/ Page Set up

c.       Change margins to be 1.0 all around. (top/bottom/left/right)

                  d.      Click OK

2)      You will need to double space your paper

a.      Format/Paragraph

b.      Find the line spacing feature that is set at “single”.

c.      Click the down arrow to select more options and select “double” 

d.      Click OK.

3)      Type your full name and then press the “enter” key

4)      Type your teacher’s name, press the “enter” key

5)      Type the name of your class and section number, press the “enter” key

6)      Insert the date

a.     Insert/Date/Select option you want and press OK. If you want to have the computer automatically update your date, select the update automatically check box.

b.      Press the enter key

7)      Your title to your paper should be centered.

a.   Type your title and place your insertion key in the middle of your title, then click on the center alignment button, located on your formatting toolbar

b.    Press your “enter” key

8)      Click on the Left aligned button on your formatting toolbar to start typing on your left.

9)      The first line of every paragraph needs to be indented. To do this you need to press your tab key once to move your insertion point, then start typing your sentence.

10)  Lastly you will need to put in a header, with your last name and page number.

a.       Select View Header and Footer from your menu bar.

b.      Once opened, it automatically places your insertion point to the left. Press your “tab” key twice to get it right aligned.

c.       Type your last name, then space and click on the insert page number button on your header/footer toolbar (first button on the left).

d.      Close the Header Footer toolbar.

11)  Continue typing your paper.

12) Results should look like this.

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