MLA Style: Typing Instructions



MLA Style: Typing Instructions

These instructions are for most applications of Microsoft Word. You may need to make minor adjustments based on the program you are using.

Starting the program

Use the Start button to find the version of Word that you are using. Click on Microsoft Word to open the program. It should open to a white blank page with the cursor blinking in the left corner.

Setting up the paper attributes

Set the font to 12-point Times New Roman

1. From the menu, select Format / Font.

2. Click on the Font tab if it is not on top.

3. Set the font for Normal, Times New Roman, 12.

4. Click OK.

Set the margins to one inch on top, bottom, and sides.

1. From the menu, select File / Page Setup.

2. Click on the margin arrows to set all margins to 1".

3. Click OK. LEAVE THE GUTTER AT ZERO!

Set the line spacing to double space.

1. From the menu, select Format / Paragraph.

2. Click the Indents and Spacing tab.

3. Set Line spacing to Double.

4. Click OK.

Adding the header

The header consists of your last name and the number of the page.

1. Click View from the menu.

2. Click Header and Footer. The header section appears inside a gray dotted rectangle with a flashing cursor inside. [pic]

3. On the menu bar just above the ruler, click the Align right icon [pic]

Align left Center Align Right Justify

4. Type your Last Name and press the space bar three times.

5. On the floating menu bar, click the Insert Page Number icon (it has a # symbol on a page). The number of the page is automatically placed at the top page of your paper. Click Close to exit the header

Adding the HEADING to the first page

Starting in the left margin, type your name, class, teacher's name and date. DO NOT TYPE THIS IN THE HEADER BOX! HEADING AND HEADER ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS! Your paper should look EXACTLY like the example below. Your title should not be in a different font size. It should not be in bold.

Your first name Your last name

English I—2nd period

Teacher’s Name

28 February 2008

Title of Paper Goes Here.

You tab and start typing the first line of your first paragraph left aligned at the

margin. Every line after that you let the paper automatically word wrap. Continue typing

like this until you finish the paper.

When you need to start a new paragraph, you do not add any extra spaces between

paragraphs. You simply indent and type your new paragraph. When you have finished

your concluding paragraph, you may follow the steps for setting up the works cited

Setting up the Works Cited list

1. Create a new page by inserting a page break.

1. Move the cursor to the end of your paper.

2. Click Insert on the top menu bar.

3. Click Break; after the break window appears, click OK to start your new page.

2. Click the Center icon in the menu bar.

3. Type Works Cited. Press Enter.

4. Click the Align left icon.

5. Click Format / Paragraph on the top menu bar.

6. Make sure your spacing is Double.

7. In the indentation section look for the Special window. Click on the arrow for the set of options. Select Hanging and then OK.

8. Click Format/Autoformat on the menu bar

9. Click Options

10. Click on the Autoformat as you Type tab

11, Uncheck the network paths with hyperlinks box (This will keep your URL’s from turning blue)

12. Type your entries and press Enter after entry is complete.

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