MLA Document Setup

Setting up an MLA Document

Step One—Inserting Your Page Number:

Click on the insert tab

Select Page Number

Select top of page

Select the third choice

Type in your last name and a space (DO NOT DELETE THE # SIGN)

Step Two—Setting Your Spacing and Font:

In the paragraph section of the home tab, click on the down arrow next to the line and paragraph spacing icon (up and down arrows next to four lines)

Select 2 for double spacing

Click on the down arrow again and select Remove Space After Paragraphs

Change your font size to 12 point--unless your teacher gives you other specifications

Select a font (Calibri, Ariel, or Times New Roman)

Step Three—Typing Your Heading

Keep your text aligned to the left

Your name (First and last)

Teacher name (Title and last name)

Class (Please include course – period)

Day Month Year (NOTE: there are no commas or slashes in an MLA formatted date)

Example

Sami Student

Mrs. Bilinski

English 9 C—1^st Hour

28 March 2012

Step Four—Center your title

In the paragraph section of the home tab, select the Center icon.

Type in your creative title (If you can’t think of one right now, put something generic and add a creative one after you have drafted your essay). Hint: using a poetic technique like rhyme or alliteration often makes an effective title.

Step Five—Align your text left and begin your essay

Click on the Align Text Left icon in the paragraph section of the home tab.

Indent your paragraph by pressing the tab key.

      Begin typing your attention getter.

Thanks to the NW English Dept. for this resource!



Purdue Owl - MLA Example