MLA Format: The Basics
SPACING
All your papers must be typed and double spaced between lines throughout the entire paper. Before typing your paper, adjust the spacing on Microsoft Word by going to “Format” on the tool bar, clicking on “paragraph” and going to the “spacing” section on the dialog box and clicking on “double”. Please do not add any extra lines or any fewer lines at ANY PLACE in the paper.
SIZE AND STYLE OF FONT
Set the font size and style on the tool bar before you begin your paper. The font should be set to “TIMES NEW ROMAN” and the size should be 12 point.
THE HEADING ON YOUR PAPER
Your heading should be typed at the upper right hand corner of your paper and should look like this:
Final Draft Your Name
Language Arts p.1
Date
Title of Paper
*Please note that the heading is double spaced like the rest of the paper.
THE TITLE OF THE PAPER
All assignments turned in should have a title. The title should be centered. DO NOT BOLD, UNDERLINE OR ITALICIZE THE TITLE. The title should be in “Times New Roman”, “12 point” font just like the rest of the paper.
THE MARGINS
All four sides of the paper should have 1 ½ inch margins. Microsoft Word usually has this set for you automatically.
RESOURCE FOR IN TEXT CITATION/WORK CITED
Owl of Purdue is an excellent resource for MLA formatting!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
All your papers must be typed and double spaced between lines throughout the entire paper. Before typing your paper, adjust the spacing on Microsoft Word by going to “Format” on the tool bar, clicking on “paragraph” and going to the “spacing” section on the dialog box and clicking on “double”. Please do not add any extra lines or any fewer lines at ANY PLACE in the paper.
SIZE AND STYLE OF FONT
Set the font size and style on the tool bar before you begin your paper. The font should be set to “TIMES NEW ROMAN” and the size should be 12 point.
THE HEADING ON YOUR PAPER
Your heading should be typed at the upper right hand corner of your paper and should look like this:
Final Draft Your Name
Language Arts p.1
Date
Title of Paper
*Please note that the heading is double spaced like the rest of the paper.
THE TITLE OF THE PAPER
All assignments turned in should have a title. The title should be centered. DO NOT BOLD, UNDERLINE OR ITALICIZE THE TITLE. The title should be in “Times New Roman”, “12 point” font just like the rest of the paper.
THE MARGINS
All four sides of the paper should have 1 ½ inch margins. Microsoft Word usually has this set for you automatically.
RESOURCE FOR IN TEXT CITATION/WORK CITED
Owl of Purdue is an excellent resource for MLA formatting!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
