MLA format is a widely used citation style in academic writing. It is important to properly format your paper in MLA style to ensure that your work is organized and professional. While there are many online tools and resources available to help with MLA formatting, Microsoft Word also has built-in features that can assist you in creating a properly formatted document. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of how to do MLA format on Microsoft Word.
Setting Up Your Document
Before you begin writing your paper, it is important to set up your document in the correct format. To do this, open a new Word document and go to the “Layout” tab. Under “Margins,” select “Normal” to set the margins to 1 inch on all sides. Next, go to the “Page Layout” tab and click on “Size.” Select “Letter” to set the paper size to 8.5 x 11 inches. Finally, go to the “Home” tab and select “Times New Roman” as your font, with a font size of 12.
Adding Page Numbers
In MLA format, page numbers are required in the upper right corner of each page. To add page numbers to your document, go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Page Number.” Select “Top of Page” and then “Plain Number 3” to add the page numbers to your document.
Creating a Header
In MLA format, a header is required on each page and should include your last name and the page number. To create a header, go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Header.” Select “Blank” and then type your last name followed by a space. Next, go to the “Design” tab and click on “Page Number.” Select “Current Position” and then “Plain Number 3” to add the page number to your header.
Formatting Your Title
The title of your paper should be centered and in the same font and size as the rest of your paper. To format your title, type it at the top of your document and then select it. Go to the “Home” tab and click on the “Center” button to center your title. Next, go to the “Font” section and select “Times New Roman” as your font, with a font size of 12.
Adding In-Text Citations
In MLA format, in-text citations are used to give credit to the sources you have used in your paper. To add an in-text citation, place your cursor at the end of the sentence where you have used information from a source. Go to the “References” tab and click on “Insert Citation.” Select “Add New Source” and fill in the required information, such as the author’s name and the title of the source. Once you have added all of your sources, you can easily insert in-text citations by clicking on “Insert Citation” and selecting the source you want to cite.
Creating a Works Cited Page
At the end of your paper, you will need to include a Works Cited page that lists all of the sources you have used in your paper. To create a Works Cited page, go to the “References” tab and click on “Bibliography.” Select “Works Cited” and Word will automatically create a properly formatted Works Cited page for you.
By following these steps, you can easily format your paper in MLA style using Microsoft Word. Remember to always double-check your formatting and citations to ensure that your paper is accurate and professional. Happy writing!
