MLA Format: A Class Assignment = 20 Points

MLA Format: A common format for school assignments is called the MLA style. MLA stands for Modern Language Association. It was created to

provide a set of rules for students and academics writing reports and research papers. Follow the directions below to setup your paper in the proper format.

Set the margins to 1 inch. 1. Under the Page Layout Tab, select the Margins drop-

down menu.

2. Select Normal. This will set all the margins to 1’’.

Select the font. 1. Under the Home tab, select the appropriate font.

- Appropriate Fonts: Calibri, Cambria, Arial, Times New Roman

Select the Size. 1. Under the Home tab, select the appropriate size.

- Size: 11 point or 12 point

Insert your MLA Header 1. Under the Insert tab, select the Page Number drop-

down menu.

2. Select Plain Number 3. This will add a page number to the top-right of every page.

*You should now see a “1” in the upper right hand corner of your page.

3. Click next to the page number and type your last name next to the page number.

4. Click Close Header and Footer.

Just to check, your page should look like EXACTLY this.

Double Space your entire paper: Do this BEFORE you start typing.

1. Make sure your text is Left Justified. 2. Select the Line and Paragraph Spacing drop-down

menu.

3. Select double-spaced.

4. Select Remove Space After Paragraph to get rid of the extra spaces between paragraphs. This is an automatic setting in Word 2010.

Complete your MLA Heading: 1. Type the following:

- First and Last Name - Teacher - Class

- Due Date (Day Month Year) 2. Be sure the Heading is Left Justified.

Type your title: This should be a creative and original title.

1. On the line RIGHT BELOW the Heading, type your title.

2. Center the title by clicking on the Center Format Icon.

Begin to type your essay: Your essay should be in paragraph format.

1. Your body paragraph is typed on the line below your title and is Left Justified.

2. Click the Align Text Left Icon.

3. Each paragraph must be indented ½ inch. Use the Tab

key to indent your paragraphs.

FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT TYPE THE FOLLOWING BODY PARAGRAPHS. Paragraph 1: Begin your paragraph one double-space line below your centered title. Each paragraph is a ½ inch tabbed indent. The paper’s heading goes in the upper-left corner of the first page only. Double space everything. Your last name and page number goes in the heading, right justified.

Paragraph 2: If you use a direct line from your book to support your argument be sure to put it in quotes and give the page number on which you found this information. “A quote would look similar to this” (83). Note where the quotes end, the location of the parentheses, and the location of the end punctuation.

Just to check, your page should look exactly like this.

Works Cited: A Works Cited is a reference list that alphabetically lists all of the sources you cited. The Works Cited should provide complete

publication or access information on all cited works so that readers can seek out these sources on their own. This should be a list of ALL the sources you have referenced. It MUST start on a new page. Follow the directions below to create your Works Cited in MLA format

Type the title – Works Cited 1. On the first line of a NEW page type “Works Cited.” 2. Center your text by clicking on the Center Format

Icon. 3. *If you inserted your page number correctly, you

should see your last name and page number already on the top of the page.

Begin to type your Citations. 1. Be sure you are typing a proper MLA reference

citation. 2. On the line right below the Works Cited title, begin to

type your citations. In ALPHEBETICAL ORDER.

FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT TYPE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE CITATIONS:

“Basket Weaving.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2002. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 May 2004.

Johnson, Maria. Email Interview. 27 April 2009.

3. Highlight your citations. 4. Select the Line Spacing Options Drop-Down

5. Under Special, Select Hanging. 6. Select OK.

*** A hanging indent changes the indentation of the text on the SECOND line. Examine the before and after pictures below.

BEFORE AFTER

Just to check, your Works Cited should look EXACTLY like this.

Save this MLA Template in your (H:) Drive: You can also save it to your Flash Drive if you wish to do so. By saving this as a template, you will be able to use it anytime you are typing something on the school computer. Steps:

1. Select file, then Save As…

2. Title your document as “MLA Template.” 3. Under Computer save the document to your (H:)

Drive. You should see your ID number on the folder. 4. Then select Save. 5. ***Now that you saved your document in the (H:)

Drive you can access it on ANY school computer. 6. ***Note: If you save to the desktop or the My

Documents folder, your work will NOT be saved. You must use your H: Drive to save work.

YOU’RE DONE! Please raise your hand, so Mrs. Tillman’s can come by and check your formatting.