BCCC Library

Using Microsoft Word 2007 to Write an MLA Paper The best source for writing research papers is the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (Seventh Edition). A copy is available at the Reference desk (This book cannot leave the library). Start out by using white 8 by 11 inch paper. The papers in the librarys printers are just what you need. Using any other type or color of paper is not permitted. 1. Before you start typing, set your margins. MLA requires your margins to be 1 inch top, bottom, left, and right. In Microsoft Word, start a new document and then click the Page Layout tab, then click the Margins button. Be sure the margins are set to Normal (Top 1, Bottom 1, Left 1 and Right 1 ).

2. Spacing- . Click the little arrow in the Paragraph group.

Be sure the Spacing before and after is set to 0 pt. If you need to make a change in the Spacing, be sure to click the OK button to accept the change.

ggp 2/3/2012

Page 1

BCCC Library

3. Cover Page not needed in an MLA paper (unless your instructor requires one). 4. Before you start typing, set up the spacing to double space. Click on the Home tab. Click the line spacing drop-down arrow and select 2.0.

5. MLA style wants a specific font and font size. Click on the Home tab. Click on the Font drop-down arrow and select Times New Roman. Click on the Font Size drop-down arrow and select 12 point type.

6. A header is required for an MLA paper. Headers appear at the top of every page in your document. Your header must always include your last name and page number. Click the Insert Tab.

ggp 2/3/2012

Page 2

BCCC Library
a. Click the Page Number button and select Top of Page. Select Plain Number 3. The pager number appears on the right side with the insertion point before it. Type in your last name and then press the [Space bar] once. Click the red Close Header and Footer button on the right.

7. On the top of the first page on the left hand side, you must type in your full name, your instructors name, the course name and the date you submit the paper. See the example below:

8. Your title should be centered just below the date. The title should be centered. a. Do not italicize or underline the title b. Do not capitalize all letters in a title. c. Do not capitalize all words in a title, only the first word, last word and all principle words in a title.

ggp 2/3/2012

Page 3

BCCC Library
9. Save your document. Save early, save often! MLA papers have a habit of disappearing or deleting themselves (I blame the evil computer trolls). 10. Italics. Italicize the title of a publication (book, journal article, magazine article, Web site), words you want to emphasize, or foreign words, except when quoting in another language, the titles of short stories, or poems, or proper names like Sandra Lpez. If you are unsure whether a word is foreign or not, see if the word appears in an English dictionary (MLA 3.3). MLA no longer recommends underlining. 11. Quoting Works By quoting, you let the reader know that what is written is taken directly from another work. In general use quotation marks around the quote. 12. In-text citations (parenthetical citations) are used to acknowledge the source of your information within your paper. The citation must be in a set of parenthesis with the authors last name and the page number. See the example below.

13. Indenting long quotes - If what you are quoting is more than four lines, you must indent it by itself by one inch and it must be on a separate line without quotation marks. Type in the text to be quoted and select (highlight) it. Click the Home tab and then click the Increase Indent button twice.

ggp 2/3/2012

Page 4

BCCC Library
14. The Works Cited page a. The Works Cited page is the last page on your paper. This should be a new page and the words Works Cited should appear at the top of the page. The word Works Cited should be centered. b. Only include works used in paper on your works cited page. Each work should be listed alphabetically by last name. c. Use EasyBib.com for all of your MLA citation needs. Trust me: This will save you hours of headaches and heartaches in college.

MLA Style Checklist ___ Margins are 1 all around the paper ___ Spacing is set at 0 pt. __ Type is set to double space ___ I am using Times New Roman 12 pt. font ___ Each page has a header. The header is my last name + the page number ___ First page includes my name, the teacher's name (Mr. Blanco), the course name (English IV), and the date written in military style (16 January 2014, for example). This is on the left hand side of the paper ___ Title is centered, and not in bold, italics, or underline ___ The name of books, plays, shows, etc. are all in italics. ___ All works that I am quoting in-text (directly or indirectly) have a parenthetical citation ___ If a quote is longer than four (4) lines, it is indented ___ I have a works cited page at the end of my essay that I created using EasyBib.com

ggp 2/3/2012

Page 5