1 inch on all sides.
Word 2003 → File→ Page Setup → Margins → Top, Bottom, Left, & Right equals 1.00
Word 2007 → Already defaulted to 1 inch
Font
Most instructors prefer a font like Times New Roman in 12 point. Word 2003 is defaulted to that font, but Word 2007 is not.
Word 2003→defaulted to Times New Roman 12
Word 2007→home tab → font section → choose Times New Roman from the font menu → choose 12 from the font point menu
Line Spacing
MLA style papers should be double-spaced.
Word 2003 → Format → Paragraph → Indents and Spacing: Spacing: Line Spacing: Double
Or click the line spacing button on the tool bar and click 2.0
Word 2007 → Home Tab → Paragraph Section → Line spacing button → 2.0
Header
The header consists of your last name and the page number. It is important to use the insert page number function in order to number your pages properly. Example: Smith 1
Word 2003 →View →Header and Footer →Use the right align button on the toolbar → type last name and one space → from the header and footer tool bar click the insert page number button
Word 2007 → Insert Tab → Insert Page # → Top of Page → Plain 3 → Type last name and space before number
Highlight your last name and the page number → change the font to match the body of the paper
*Double click in the document portion of the page to start typing your paper.*
Heading
Your name
Instructor’s Name
Course Number
Date in the form of: Day Month Year (example: 8 September 2008)
Hanging Indent
The documents listed in the Works Cited Page need to be in a hanging indent format.
Word 2003 & 2007 → Select the citation entry → on the ruler move the bottom slide to ½ inch
Other Resources
Harbrace Handbook
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html
http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
search Word MLA templates
Research Paper in MLA format
Works Cited List in MLA format
Citations
Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Name of Journal. Volume Number. Issue Number (Date): Page Numbers.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Book. Title of Internet Site. Organization. Year of Publication. Date of Access.
If the journal article exists in print as well, you need to provide the print information before the website information.
Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Title. Volume. Issue (date): Page Numbers. Online Database. Publisher. Cleveland State Community College Library. Date of Access
